Rate My Professor Lauren Kearney

Associate Professor Lauren Kearney is a registered midwife and nurse employed as Conjoint Associate Professor in Midwifery between the School of Nursing, Midwifery and Social Work at the University of Queensland and Women's and Newborn Services at Royal Brisbane and Women's Hospital. She holds a PhD (2005–2011), Bachelor of Midwifery (graduate entry, 2013–2014), and Bachelor of Nursing (1997–1999), all from the Australian Catholic University. As Head of Discipline, Midwifery, her teaching expertise lies in postgraduate and higher degree by research areas. Her career includes prior roles as Registered Midwife at Sunshine Coast University Hospital (2015–2022) and Senior Research Fellow at the University of the Sunshine Coast, School of Nursing, Midwifery and Paramedicine (2014–2021).

Lauren Kearney's research specializations center on maternal and child health, encompassing evaluation of models of care in the perinatal period and early years, intravenous fluid management and access during labour and birth, facilitators for positive physiological spontaneous vaginal birth, management of postpartum haemorrhage, and strategies for mother-infant closeness in the postpartum period. She maintains strong industry collaborations and is the recipient of several competitive research grants in maternal and child health, including the EMCR Small Grant Scheme in 2022. Key publications include 'Evidence-based guidelines for intrapartum maternal hydration assessment and management: A scoping review' (Birth, 2024), 'The effects of intravenous hydration regimens in nulliparous women undergoing induction of labor: A systematic review and meta-analysis' (Acta Obstetricia et Gynecologica Scandinavica, 2024), 'Nurturing our new midwives: A qualitative enquiry of mentor's experiences of supporting new graduate midwives working in continuity of care models' (Women and Birth, 2023), 'Factors associated with spontaneous vaginal birth in nulliparous women: A descriptive systematic review' (Women and Birth, 2023), and 'Integrated review of the knowledge, attitudes, and practices of maternity health care professionals concerning umbilical cord clamping' (Birth, 2022). Her scholarly impact is evidenced by 1228 citations, an h-index of 19, and i10-index of 36 on Google Scholar. Her contributions advance evidence translation into clinical practice, enhancing healthcare experiences for women and children.