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# Ipswich midwifery lecturer shortlisted for national award for her work supporting neurodivergent mums-to-be
- URL: https://www.ipswich.co.uk/ipswich-midwifery-lecturer-shortlisted-for-national-award/
- Published: 2024-07-30T05:00:00.000Z
- Updated: 2026-03-16T15:38:52.000Z
- Description: A University of Suffolk lecturer has been recognised for her work supporting autistic people in midwifery. Karen Henry is in the running for a prestigious Royal College of Midwives award.
- Author: Oliver Rouane-Williams
- Tags: News, Health & Care Services, Changemakers, #article, University of Suffolk, #Import 2026-03-16 14:46

**Why it matters:** Karen's work promotes inclusion for autistic colleagues, students, and mothers-to-be in midwifery. The nomination highlights efforts to make midwifery more accessible and inclusive, benefiting the local community and beyond.

![A photo of Karen Henry](https://storage.ghost.io/c/29/1e/291e4b7f-e551-4458-b546-61963954b22f/content/images/2026/03/1722275474-karen-henry-uos-1.jpg)

Karen Henry Photo: SALT (University of Suffolk)

**Key details:**

- Karen is shortlisted for the Royal College of Midwives Equity, Diversity and Inclusion award
- She has developed training sessions, co-authored a book, and published multiple articles on supporting autistic individuals in midwifery
- She's collaborated with the Royal College of Midwives to create a toolkit for educators supporting neurodivergent midwifery students

**Practical impact:** Henry's work suggests strategies for supporting autistic mothers-to-be, including:

- Extra time for antenatal appointments
- Scheduling appointments during quieter periods
- Arranging visits to labour and postnatal wards to increase familiarity

**What they're saying:** "Midwifery is a wonderful career which can take you down so many different and wonderful avenues," Henry said. "Teaching midwifery is a joy because I get to share my enthusiasm and knowledge with the students who will take this into practice, and I get to share their journey with them."

**Background:** Henry graduated from the University of Suffolk in 2018 and began lecturing there in 2022\. She describes the university as feeling "like home to me, and I love working here."

**What's next:** The awards ceremony will take place in London this October. Good luck from Ipswich.co.uk, Karen!

**Go deeper:** For information about studying midwifery at the [University of Suffolk](https://www.ipswich.co.uk/tag/university-of-suffolk/), visit their [BSc (Hons) Midwifery programme page](https://www.uos.ac.uk/study/bsc-midwifery/?ref=ipswich.co.uk).

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