Apologies for cross posting

Please note that there is still time to submit an abstract for this conference.  The deadline for submissions is Friday 19^th January

Conference Announcement and Call for Papers

Normal Labour and Birth: 8th Research Conference:

‘Getting it right first time:

normal birth and the individual, family, and society’.

The Grange Hotel Conference Centre, Grange Over Sands, English Lake District

Wednesday 5th to Friday 7th June 2013

Background

This is the eighth international conference in a series that is designed to disseminate research, theory, art, drama, policy and practice relating to physiological childbirth. The conference will address social, cultural, physiological, psychological, emotional and spiritual aspects of labour and birth. It will examine new developments in the current evidence base on the nature of and cultures around birth, and on associated processes and outcomes of labour and birth. Papers will cover primary and secondary research, methodological debates, and new philosophies and constructs in this area. We are interested in submissions in any of the following areas:

1. Studies that integrate knowledge from a range of scientific approaches and/or perspectives
2. Basic science studies of the physiology, biochemistry, psychology, and sociology of normal labour and birth
3. Studies of and contributions to practice and/or service organisation
4. Studies of collaboration to improve maternal, infant, family, and maternity staff wellbeing
5. Examinations of building design and of the physical and psychosocial environment of birth
6. The identification and examination of relevant outcomes relating to labour and birth
7. Social and cultural precursors and consequences of optimal childbirth
8. Emotional and spiritual aspects of labour and birthing
9. Educational aspects
10. Economic analyses
11. Philosophical and theoretical critiques and debates
12. Methodological innovations in this and associated areas
13. Drama, virtual reality, and other multi-media and e-technology approaches

Conference Aims

The conference will provide the opportunity to develop and disseminate evidence in the area of normal labour and birth, to enhance clinical practice, education, management, supervision, service delivery, and policy, and to further research collaboration.

Objectives

1. To disseminate ongoing and complete research
2. To provide the opportunity for collaboration and debate
3. To discuss an agenda for the future in the area of normal labour and birth

Participants

This conference will be of interest to:

• academics and researchers working in the area of maternity services, birth and women’s health
• those providing maternity care  (professional, lay, state-funded,  independent, midwifery, medical, nursing, and other groups)
• policy makers with an interest in maternity services
• clinical leaders, managers, and heads of service
• service users
• lecturers at all levels in maternity care
• managers of maternity care  education

Social Programme

This programme is separately bookable in advance. Details will be circulated with the printed flyer and programme.

Submission of an Abstract

An abstract of the intended presentation should be submitted to the e-submission system, which is available at the following url:

http://www.uclanmidwifery.co.uk/abstracts/submit_form.php

If you do not have access to the electronic system, please contact Liz Roberts through any of the contact points given below, for advice on how to submit manually or by email.

Presentations can take the form of an oral paper, poster, workshop or symposium. Papers will be between 20 and 30 minutes long. A workshop will have a longer time allocation, but should be interactive and no more than 25% of the content should be presentational. A symposium will also have a longer allocation, but it should include at least two distinct oral papers on a similar subject.

There are four categories of submissions. Please structure them as follows:

1. Original research (that will be complete by June 2013)

‘Group 1’ and title of the presentation/poster

Background, including element of originality

Method

Results

Discussion

Conclusion

Statement on ethical matters related to the study

Statement on funding source for the study

Statement that results will be presented at the conference

Preferred presentation mode (oral, poster, workshop or symposium)

2. Theories and philosophies

‘Group 2’ and title of the presentation

Topic area, including element of originality

Theoretical perspective

Underpinning theories/philosophies (if any)

Argument to be made

Discussion

Conclusion

Preferred presentation mode (oral, poster, workshop or symposium)

3. Innovations (practice and education), areas for future research, and research in progress seeking collaboration

‘Group 3’ and title of the presentation

Topic area, including element of originality

Description of innovation, area for research, or research seeking collaboration

Discussion

Conclusion

Preferred presentation mode (oral, poster, workshop or symposium)

4. Art or drama

‘Group 4’ and title of the presentation

Topic area, including element of originality

Description of innovation, area for research, or research seeking collaboration

Discussion

Conclusion

Preferred presentation mode (oral, poster, workshop or symposium)

For more information please contact [log in to unmask]  or  phone on +44 (0)1772 893809 or write to: Liz Roberts, University of Central Lancashire, Conference & Events, Westleigh, Preston, PR1 2HE 

The closing date for receipt of abstracts is Friday 19^th January 2013 and presenters will be informed of the reviewers decision by the end of February 2013.

Please note: presenters will be required to pay the full booking fee of £375 + VAT

Website

The Conference Announcement, Call for Papers, booking form and all future information will be available on-line at http://www.uclan.ac.uk/healthconf