Carla Jayne Avery is Associate Professor, Head of Midwifery, and Lead Midwife for Education (LME) at Buckinghamshire New University. A registered midwife and midwife teacher with the Nursing and Midwifery Council, she brings over two decades of experience across clinical practice, education, and leadership. She is a Senior Fellow of the Higher Education Academy and holds an MA in Medical Education, alongside postgraduate qualifications in teaching and learner development.
Carla began her midwifery career in 1997, later progressing into senior NHS roles before moving into academia in 2013. She has since led and built midwifery programmes, chaired validation events, and contributed to national initiatives, including apprenticeship standard development and PROMPT obstetric emergency training.
Currently undertaking a Professional Doctorate in Education at Staffordshire University, Carla is researching student midwives’ experiences of the medicalisation of childbirth through a feminist lens. Her work connects strongly with the VIDM 2026 theme, highlighting the importance of centring women’s voices, understanding systemic influences on maternity care, and preparing midwives to advocate for physiological, person‑centred birth.
Alongside her doctoral work, Carla is involved in projects on simulation‑based education and preterm birth optimisation care bundles. Passionate about shaping the future midwifery workforce, she is committed to developing safe, compassionate, and confident practitioners. A member of the Royal College of Midwives, BERA, and the NMC LME Strategic Reference Group, Carla feels privileged to serve as a VIDM 2026 facilitator and is honoured to contribute to this global celebration of midwifery scholarship and practice.
