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A hermeneutic analysis of the rise of midwifery scholarship in New Zealand

Abstract:

In the past 25 years there has been a significant rise of scholarly activity, meaning university-based postgraduate education and research, amongst New Zealand midwives. This paper records stories of that change, accessed through a hermeneutic research study. The analysis is through the viewpoint of the author, Liz Smythe, who was one of the first New Zealand midwives to gain a PhD supervised by midwives, about midwifery. She uses her own story as a scaffold to view the stories of her peers. Five other midwives participate in this study, with data drawn from interviews and written reflections. The purpose of the study was to capture stories pertaining to scholarship to reveal the manner in which a variety of individuals, each choosing her own pathway, came to establish an early wave of New Zealand midwifery researchbased scholarship. It is a snapshot of history that offers insight into the play between profession, practice, and scholarship. Some of the key leaders, notably Joan Donley, had minimal involvement with university life. Karen Guilliland and Sally Pairman addressed the professional/practice issues from outside university and later turned to university-based scholarship to document the insights. Others, such as Liz herself, attained tertiary qualifications and were ready for the new era of degree level training. Some doctorally prepared midwives came from overseas to share the leadership of postgraduate education and research. A strong theme emerging from the study is the huge commitment the scholarly leaders made in the development and reshaping of midwifery. Questions are raised about the future of midwifery scholarship in a climate of fierce competition for research funds. It is argued that scholarship is vital to underpin and guide the midwifery profession, but at what cost to the individuals involved? What strategies are needed to ensure scholarship remains strong and responsive? These questions need to be addressed by the profession.

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midwifery scholarship, postgraduate education, research