Live Research

Looking for participants

Thank you for visiting this page and showing your interest in the vital research taking place around birth trauma, professionals wellness and maternal mental health. Please see below all projects which are currently live and looking for participants. Please read with care.

EXPLORING GLOBAL MAJORITY FATHERS EXPERIENCE OF SUPPORT DURING THE PERINATAL PERIOD.

Study led by: Amie Drew

Study aim: I am looking to speak with global majority/ethnic minority fathers for my study exploring global majority fathers' experiences of emotional help-seeking during the perinatal period (from pregnancy to one year postpartum).

The study is exploring global majority fathers' experiences of fatherhood, specifically if they felt they could be open about their emotional experiences as a new father and whether they faced any barriers to seeking emotional support. The study aims to improve access to mental health support for global majority fathers/fathers from diverse backgrounds in the UK.

Participant requirements: Participants must be fathers aged 18+ living in the UK. Biological, adoptive or foster fathers are all eligible. Fathers must identify from an ethnic minority/global majority or mixed ethnic group. Global majority refers to people who are of African, Asian, Latin American, Caribbean or Indigenous descent, dual heritage, mixed-heritage, or anyone racialised as an ethnic minority. 

The study will involve an online interview over Microsoft Teams about participants experiences of fatherhood. Interested fathers do not need to have accessed any support to take part. Any experiences are welcome. No compensation will be provided for taking part.

To find out more or request to take part: By emailing d028254o@student.staffs.ac.uk. The recruitment poster can be found here.

Recruitment closes: March 2027.

UNDERSTANDING POSTNATAL EXPERIENCES OF BLACK WOMEN IN THE UK

Study led by: Lorraine Ashley

Study aim: The research is part of a PhD at City, St George's, University of London, within the Maternal Health PhD/MPhil programme. 

Black women are increasingly giving birth in the UK, yet their voices remain underrepresented in maternity research, particularly concerning the postnatal period. This time after birth is often overlooked by the maternity system, despite being a critical phase for both the woman and baby. This research aims to understand what the postnatal period has been like in terms of emotional, practical, and social aspects. 

We want to learn what support has helped, what challenges have been faced, and what changes could have improved this time. The study will explore interactions with the healthcare system, day-to-day life, emotional well-being, and community or family support.

Participant requirements:  Inclusion criteria:
• Self-identifies as Black (including African, Caribbean, other Black heritage, or Black mixed heritage)
• Self-identifies as a woman**
• Aged 18+
• Born in the UK
• Has given birth in the UK
• Has experienced the postnatal period (up to 12 months after birth) in the UK
• Is between 6 weeks and 18 months postnatal at the time of recruitment
• Currently resides in the UK
• Has any number of children (primiparous or multiparous)
A £20 shopping voucher will be given to you after you participate in the study, as a token of appreciation for your time.

To find out more or request to take part: By emailing Lorraine.Ashley.2@citystgeorges.ac.uk, or calling 07346 118665.

Recruitment closes: May 2026.

**This thesis engages with inclusive terminology extensively, understanding that gender is a social construct and exploring why terminology matters, how it shapes experiences, and its relationship to reproductive rights and equity.

UNDERSTANDING MENTAL HEALTH AND WELLBEING DURING POST-PARTUM

Study led by: Karen Wetherall

Study aim: The Wellbeing in Post-Partum Study (WiPPS) aims to better understand the mental health and wellbeing of women and birthing people in the post-partum period. The study includes a short online confidential survey (15-20 mins) asking questions about mental health, emotions, birth experiences and support.

Participant requirements: Any women or birthing person over the age of 18, who has given birth within the past year.

You can complete a range of questions about how you have been feeling and your birth experience. You are able to withdraw at any time and support options are available throughout.

If you consent, you will be entered into a prize draw for one of 5 x £50 shopping vouchers.

To find out more or request to take part: By emailing karen.wetherall@glasgow.ac.uk, or access online study and information here.

Recruitment closes: June 2026.

EXAMINING CONSENT DURING LABOUR

Study led by: Lily Hutton

Study aim: Consent during labour ensures physical and emotional safety for women and birthing people (WABP) and is legally required prior to healthcare professionals (HCPs) providing treatment. This study aims to explore consent during labour from both a HCP and WABP perspective, examining this perspective through a feminist ethical framework, Ethics of Care (EoC). This will highlight both good and bad practice, providing contributions to improve the consent process for HCP’s and WABP.

This mixed methods qualitative study will utilise observations of interactions between HCPs and WABP during labour, to uncover the conversations which take place that led to, or do not lead to, consent being given.

This aims to use the information gathered to further understand the process of consent in labour but from a new perspective, utilising an EoC framework, which is an ethical perspective that prioritises care and relationships.

Participant requirements: I am looking for currently practicing healthcare professionals, student healthcare professionals (who have worked in a labour setting within the last 12 months) and women and birthing people who have given birth in the last two years.

I would like them to participate in a semi-structured one-to-one interview with me. This can take place in person, in a neutral setting (travel can be reimbursed), online, or in their home. This will be recorded and transcribed verbatim, but all identifiable information will be removed.

To find out more or request to take part: By emailing l.m.hutton@keele.ac.uk or contacting 07858 952 684.

Recruitment closes: October 2026.

EXPLORING REPRODUCTIVE HEALTHCARE INEQUALITIES OF BLACK WOMEN AND BIRTHING PEOPLE

Study led by: Ope Olusoga

Study aim: B-CHANGE (Black women and Black birthing people Challenging Histories and Nurturing Grassroot Exchanges) is a PhD project that is exploring the psychological experiences of Black women and Black birthing people (trans men, inter-sex and non-binary folk who birth) accessing National Health Service (NHS) maternity/reproductive healthcare services in England. The aim of this project is to tackle reproductive healthcare inequities and positively change the maternity experience for Black women and Black birthing people through community engagement, collaboration and action.

Participant requirements: We are inviting Black women and Black birthing people (trans men, inter-sex and non-binary folk who birth) who are 1) currently pregnant, 2) have given birth in the last 24 months or 3) are considering getting pregnant in the next 24 months to take part. Individuals must be over the age of 18 to participate.

Participants will become part of a Black Birthing Collective as co-researchers. The collective will meet up, over an agreed period of time, for a total of 7 gatherings to co-design and carry out research into Black maternal health. No prior research experience is needed. Co-researchers will receive a £20.00 voucher at the end of the project as a token of appreciation for volunteering their time and expertise.

To find out more or request to take part: Participants can contact the lead researcher via email: ope.olusoga@open.ac.uk

Recruitment closes: Ongoing.