Clare Maxwell
Public and Allied Health
Faculty of Health
Email: C.Maxwell@ljmu.ac.uk
Telephone: 0151 904 1074
I am a Reader in Maternal and Infant Health and a Registered Midwife. My areas of interest include Infant Feeding, Midwifery Education and Research Methodology. I have a national and international research profile and my work aligns with a varied audience including health professionals, academic staff (in a number of European countries), ethicists, students and service users and it has been cited globally.
I am a Florence Nightingale Scholar having been awarded the Florence Nightingale Scholarship to undertake my MSc and I am a former WHO Technical Advisor for Maternal and Infant health. I currently co-lead the NIHR MIDAS qualitative sub-group and I serve on the NIHR Predoctoral Health and Care Professionals Funding Committee
I have an interest in decolonising the curriculum and won the LJMU VC Award for Teaching Excellence in the EDI category in 2024. My work includes the Online Student Midwife Global Buddy study and a ground breaking student internship between history and midwife students exploring the link between historical context and current Black Maternal Health outcomes.
I have led/been involved in a number of service/project evaluations across Cheshire and Merseyside, including the 'Holding Time' breastfeeding project, the PSS 'Growing Together' programme, Everton in the Community 'Dads Club' and a Joint Service Needs Assessment of Maternity Services. I am currently undertaking evaluations around the Merseyside Safer Sleep App, a collaboration between Merseyside Police and Health Visitors to reduce unsafe sleeping and SIDS, and the Halton Creative Writing Workshops for new mothers.
I supervise a number of Masters and PhD students, all who are undertaking work related (directly or indirectly) to Maternal and Infant health. I also teach across a number of undergraduate and postgraduate programmes and led the LJMU UNICEF BFI Gold award for the Midwifery programme. In line with this, I also led the successful LJMU application for the Liverpool BAMBIS Mayoral award, establishing breastfeeding/expressing rooms and spaces across LJMU, making LJMU a Breastfeeding Friendly University. This was recognised at the Patient Experience National Awards (2022) where the initiative was highly commended.
I developed an MSc DEgree Apprenticeship in ACP Midwifery and have extensive external examiner experience including at University of York, Queens Belfast and currently at Kings College London.
Degrees
LJMU, United Kingdom, PhD
Manchester Metropolitan University, United Kingdom, MSc
Certifications
Liverpool John Moores University, United Kingdom, PGCert in HE
Academic appointments
Reader In Maternal and Infant Health, Midwifery, Liverpool John Moores University, 2023 - present
Senior Lecturer Midwifery, Midwifery, Liverpool John Moores University, 2004 - 2023
Journal article
Maxwell C, Self B, Bould K. 2025. A Descriptive Investigation of Infant Feeding Bottles Marketed in the UK Designed to Replicate Breastfeeding and the Evidence That Underpins Them Maternal & Child Nutrition, :1-8 DOI Author Url Publisher Url Public Url
Harrison JE, Abayomi J, Hassan S, Foweather L, Maxwell C, McCann DA, Garbett S, Nugent M, Bradbury D, Timpson H, Porcellato L, Judd M, Chisholm A, Isaac N, Wolfenden B, Greenhalgh A, Watson PM. 2025. Mixed-Methods Evaluation of the HealthyWEY E-Learning Toolkit for Promoting Healthy Weight in the Early Years International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 22 DOI Author Url Publisher Url Public Url
Maxwell C, Robinson A, Donaghy-Binks P, Fleming V. 2024. A qualitative evaluation of a student midwife placement teaching English to speakers of other languages (ESOL) European Journal of Midwifery, 8 :1-8 DOI Author Url Publisher Url Public Url
Fleming V, Maxwell C, Hanlon C, Robb Y, Vermeulen J, Dobrowolska B. 2024. To participate or not to participate: The troublesome question of nurses' conscientious objection to abortion: A qualitative study Journal of Advanced Nursing, :1-11 DOI Author Url Publisher Url Public Url
Ali M, Fleming V, Maxwell C. 2024. Emerging trends in research on perineal trauma management: A bibliometric analysis of articles published since 1985 Midwifery, 134 DOI Author Url Publisher Url Public Url
Fleming V, Frith L, Maxwell C. 2024. Understanding the extent of and limitations to conscientious objection to abortion by health care practitioners: A hermeneutic study. Cioffi A. PLoS One, 19 :1-14 DOI Author Url Publisher Url Public Url
Self B, Maxwell C, Fleming V. 2023. The missing voices in the conscientious objection debate: British service users' experiences of conscientious objection to abortion BMC Medical Ethics, 24 DOI Author Url Publisher Url Public Url
Maxwell C, Hudson T, Lotto R. 2023. Key changes in the cardiovascular system during uncomplicated pregnancy, birth and the postnatal period: an overview British Journal of Cardiac Nursing, 18 :1-4 DOI Publisher Url Public Url
Maxwell C, Fleming V, Porcellato LA. 2023. Why have a bottle when you can have draught? Exploring bottle refusal by breastfed babies. Maternal & Child Nutrition, DOI Author Url Publisher Url Public Url
Ramsayer B, Maxwell C, Fleming V. 2022. Qualitative Studie aus Großbritannien zum Schwangerschaftsabbruch (Qualitative study from the UK on abortion. Midwives respect and support each other) Habammen, Publisher Url Public Url
Ramsayer B, Maxwell C, Fleming V. 2022. Vier Beusche in sechs Wochen Habammen, 9 :84-91 Publisher Url Public Url
Maxwell C, Ramsayer B, Fleming V. 2022. It's about finding a balance…exploring conscientious objection to abortion with UK midwives Midwifery, 112 DOI Author Url Publisher Url Public Url
Maxwell C, McKendrick J, Hanlon C, Penson P, Fleming V. 2021. Exploring pharmacists' views surrounding conscientious objection to abortion and implications in practice. International Journal of Pharmacy Practice, DOI Author Url Publisher Url Public Url
Maxwell C, Ramsayer B, Hanlon C, McKendrick J, Fleming V. 2020. Examining Researchers’ Pre-Understandings as a Part of the Reflexive Journey in Hermeneutic Research International Journal of Qualitative Methods, 19 DOI Author Url Publisher Url Public Url
Maxwell C, Fleming KM, Fleming V, Porcellato L. 2020. UK mothers' experiences of bottle refusal by their breastfed baby. Maternal and Child Nutrition, :e13047-e13047 DOI Author Url Publisher Url Public Url
Fleming V, Maxwell C, Ramsayer B. 2020. Accommodating conscientious objection in the midwifery workforce: a ratio-data analysis of midwives, birth and late abortions in 18 European countries in 2016. Human Resources for Health, 18 DOI Author Url Publisher Url Public Url
Harris J, Germain J, Maxwell C, Mackay S. 2020. The Ethical Implications of Collecting Data from Online Health Communities SAGE Research Methods Cases: Medicine and Health, DOI Publisher Url Public Url
Spiby H, Sheen KS, Collinge S, Maxwell C, Pollard K, Slade P. 2018. Preparing midwifery students for traumatic workplace events: findings from the poppy (programme for the prevention of posttraumatic stress disorder in midwifery) feasibility study Nurse Education Today, 71 :226-232 DOI Author Url Publisher Url Public Url
Germain J, Harris J, Mackay S, Maxwell C. 2017. Why Should We Use Online Research Methods? Four Doctoral Health Student Perspectives Qualitative Health Research, DOI Author Url Publisher Url Public Url
Sprawson E, Maxwell C. EXPECTANT MANAGEMENT FOR PREMATURE PRE-LABOUR RUPTURE OF MEMBRANES 34-36+6 WEEKS A RETURN TO MIDWIFERY-LED CARE MIDIRS Midwifery Digest, 27 :191-197 Publisher Url
Maxwell C. Grand Designs: Students’ use of a ‘Room Planner App’ as a learning tool. Working Papers in the Health Sciences,
Maxwell C. • A Reflexive Exploration of Researcher Pre-Understandings in Hermeneutic Research Publisher Url
Poster
O'Connor S, Hayes JA, Maxwell C, Foster S. 2024. Exploring the challenges associated with the doctoral journey specific to mental health Institute of Mental Health Research Day 2024 Author Url Public Url
O'Connor S, Hayes JA, Maxwell C, Foster S. 2024. Capturing the Student Experience of the Doctoral Journey Postgraduate Research Festival LJMU Author Url Public Url
O'Connor S, Hayes JA, Maxwell C, Foster S. 2024. LJMU Faculty Health PGR Research Day - Capturing the Student Experience of the Doctoral Journey LJMU Faculty Health PGR Research Day Author Url Public Url
Sprawson E, Maxwell C. 2016. Women’s experiences of satisfaction with birth following induction of labour for postdates pregnancy: an interpretive phenomenological study Royal College Of Midwives Conference, Harrogate
Maxwell C. 2016. Bottle refusal by breastfed babies: A mixed methods study exploring mother’s experiences and the support they receive Royal Colle of Midwives Conference
Maxwell C. 2016. An online questionnaire investigating bottle refusal by breastfed babies Liverpool John Moores Research Conference
Maxwell C. 2016. I loved Breastfeeding but..... A UK online survey of mothers' experiences of bottle refusal Liverpool John Moores University, Faculty Research Conference
Maxwell C. 2015. Grand Designs: a study of student midwives’ use of a room planner App to create a birthing environment Royal College Midwives Conference
Report
Maxwell C, Porcellato L, Hanlon C, Fleming V. 2024. An evaluation of the PSS Growing Together parent-baby relationship service and Everton in the Community’s Starting Well Dads Club 2024 An evaluation of the PSS Growing Together parent-baby relationship service and Everton in the Community’s Starting Well Dads Club :1-42
Maxwell C, Mahdi A. 2023. An Evaluation of the Holding Time Breastfeeding Project: Cheshire and Merseyside 2023 Publisher Url Public Url
Weber K, Porcellato LA, Fleming V, Maxwell C. 2023. Joint Maternity Services Needs Assessment Cheshire and Merseyside 2022 Public Url
Conference publication
Maxwell C. 2023. Your wish is my command: Developing an employer-led advanced clinical practice masters apprenticeship programme for midwives Eur J Midwifery 2023;7(Supplement 1):A182, European Midwives Association 7 DOI Publisher Url
preprint
Self B, Maxwell C, Fleming V. 2023. The Missing Voices in the Conscientious Objection Debate: UK Service Users’ Experiences of Conscientious Objection to Abortion. Research Square DOI Publisher Url
Fleming V, Maxwell C, Ramsayer B. 2020. Accommodating conscientious objection in the midwifery workforce: a ratio-data analysis of midwives, birth and late abortions in 18 European countries in 2016 Research Square DOI Publisher Url
Dataset
Fleming V, Maxwell C, Morecroft C. 2021. Understanding the extent of and limitations to conscientious objection by health care practitioners to abortion DOI Public Url
Fleming V, Maxwell C, Hanlon C, McKendrick J. Understanding the extent of and limitations to conscientious objection by health care practitioners to abortion: interview data Publisher Url
Thesis/Dissertation
Maxwell C. 2019. A mixed methods study exploring UK mothers' experiences of bottle refusal by their breastfed baby Porcellato L, Fleming V, Kane R. Public Url
Award:
LJMU, VC Award Research and Knowledge Exchange - Impact Commendation. 2024
LJMU, Vice Chancellor Teaching Excellence Award - University Winner, Equality, Diversity, Inclusion. 2024
LJMU, Vice Chancellor Award for Excellence - Faculty Winner Rising Star. 2022
Liverpool John Moores Univesrity, PhD Studentship. 2015
Florence Nightingale Foundation, Msc Scholarship. 2000
Research Grants Awarded:
Duration of research project: 12 months, Grant value (£): 8521, British Academy, Dr Kathryn Bould, The Breast Bottle in the World? The impact of marketing of feeding bottles/teats on those who are breastfeeding, or thinking of breastfeeding a baby.. 2024
Duration of research project: 6 weeks, Grant value (£): 2850, Liverpool John Moores University, Kathryn Bould, Christelle Keacher, A scoping review of infant feeding methods outside of breast and bottle for term healthy babies up to 1 year old. 2024
Duration of research project: 6 months, Grant value (£): 6000 (approx), Liverpool Jonh Moores University, Dr. Andrea Livesey, Addressing Black Maternal Health Outcomes through Interdisciplinary Collaboration: Decolonising the LJMU Midwifery Curriculum through understanding historical context. 2023
Duration of research project: 5 months, Grant value (£): 3500, Liverpool John Moores University, The Breast bottle in the world? Investigating the evidence around bottles and teats marketed for breastfeeding. 2023
Duration of research project: 9 months, Grant value (£): 10,000, Liverpool John Moores University, Professor Valerie Fleming, The student midwife online global buddy study. 2022
Duration of research project: 6 months, Grant value (£): 9333.90, British Academy, Valerie Fleming LJMU, Clarifying the confusion surrounding conscientious objection to abortion. 2022
Duration of research project: 9 months, Grant value (£): 105042.31, Public Health England, Watson, P M, Foweather, L, Maxwell C, Porcellato, L, Timpson H, Harrison J, Wolfenden B, Isaac N, Bradbury D, Abayomi J, Hassan S, Chisholm A, Nugent M, Implementation and evaluation of a child weight e-learning toolkit (HealthyWEY) for maternity and health visiting workforces. 2021
Grant value (£): 250.00, NIHR, Valerie Fleming, Exploring alternative ways to feed a health breastfed baby breastmilk. 2020
Grant value (£): 20,000, Liverpool PCT, Una Goodall, 2 Day Breastfeeding Training & Updates. 2011
Conference organisation:
Co-lead of Sub-Group, Joint organiser of conference event, ARC NWC MIDAS Qualitative Sub-Group Networking Event July 2024. 2024
Organiser, presenter, International Conference 'Diabetes and Pregnancy' Saint Mary's Hospital Manchester. 2003
Conference presentation:
Oral, Kings House Conference Centre Manchester, iHV Evidence-based Practice Conference – A Healthier Future, The breast bottle in the world? Exploring the marketing and advertising of bottles and teats developed for breastfeeding, https://events.ihv.org.uk/w/event/65ca0ff16b5c905290da812e?page_id=65ca0ff5be45092e221a29eb. 2024
Oral presentation, Institute of Medical Ethics, Horizon Centre, Leeds, Institute of Medical Ethics National conference, Conscientious Objection (CO) to Abortion in UK Healthcare Practice: Is it fair?’. 2023
Oral presentation, University of Oxford, Oxford Global Health and Bioethics International Conference, Conscientous objection to abortion: polarising the field of women's health. 2023
Oral, Univdrsity of Oxford, Oxford Global Health and Bioethics International Conference, Is conscientious objection to abortion really a problem?, https://www.ethox.ox.ac.uk/events/oxford-global-health-and-bioethics-international-conference. 2023
Oral presentation, Dublin, Ireland, All Ireland Maternity and Midwifery Festival, Its about finding a balance: UK midwives views on conscientious objection to abortion. 2022
Abstract recording, Online, 9th International Conference on Nutrition & Growth. Online., Exploring Bottle refusal by breastfed babies. 2022
Poster presentation, Virtual, 9th International Conference on Nutrition and Growth, An online questionnaire investigating UK mothers' experiences of bottle refusal by breastfed babies. 2022
Oral presentation, online, National institute for health visitors evidence-based practice, UK Mothers' experiences of bottle refusal by their breastfed baby. 2021
Oral presentation, Online, Liverpool Peace Symposium, Easing the conflict of conscientious objection to abortion. 2021
Poster presentation, Harrogate, RCM Conference, Expectant Management for Premature Pre-Labour Rupture of Membranes 34-36+6 Weeks: A Return to Midwifery-Led Care. 2021
Oral presentation, Virtual, RCN Education Forum National Conference, Striving for Perfection: Investigating predictors of stress and anxiety in pre-registration nursing and midwifery students. 2021
Oral presentation, Royal Society Of Medicine: London, Royal Society Of Medicine: Maternity and the Newborn . Infant feeding: Polices, politics and best practice, Mothers' experiences of Bottle Refusal by their Breastfed Baby. 2018
Poster presentation, Harrogate, RCM Conference, I loved breastfeeding but…..A UK online survey investigating mothers’ experiences of bottle refusal by their breastfed baby. 2016
Poster presentation, Telford, RCM conference, Grand Designs: a study of student midwives’ use of a room planner App to create a birthing environment. 2015
Oral presentation, LJMU Faculty Research Conference, Follow the Yellow Brick Road: setting out on the PHD Journey. 2015
Oral presentation, Bournemouth University, Innovations in Midwifery Education Conference Bournemouth University, Grand Designs: a study of student midwives’ use of a room planner App to create a birthing environment’. 2015
Media Coverage:
Interview with 'Consumer Reports', New York, USA re: Bottle refusal by breastfed babies 2024
Interview with Washington Post about my research on bottle refusal by breastfed babies 2023
External PGR examinations performed:
Professional Doctorate, University of Chester, Exploring engagement: A Constructivist grounded theory study of pregnant woman’s engagement with antenatal care health services in rural India. 2023
PhD, University of Salford, Student midwives and international placement learning outcomes: an ethnographic study. 2023
PhD, Salford, Exploring Cultural Competence as a learning outcome of midwifery international placements in Uganda. 2020
PhD, University of Salford, Student midwives and International Placement Learning Outcomes: An ethnographic study. 2020
Other invited event:
Online, Presentation of research around bottle refusal by breastfed babies, East Lancashire Maternity BFI Champions meeting. 2022
Online, Presenatation of research on: Uk Mothers' experiences of bottle refusal by their breastfed baby, Lancashire Health Visitors group. 2021
online, Presentation of research: UK Mothers' experiences of bottle refusal by breastfed babies, Lancashire and South Lancs Infant feeding network. 2021
External committees:
University of Liverpool, Sanyu Research Centre, Member, India Birth Network, https://sanyuresearch.org/indian-birth-network-improving-care-for-all/. 2022
PHE, Technical Advisor, WHO Collaboration Centre, Public Health Nursing and Midwifery, https://www.euro.who.int/en/health-topics/Health-systems/nursing-and-midwifery/partners/who-collaborating-centres/who-collaborating-centre-for-public-health-nursing-and-midwifery. 2018
External PGR Supervision - completed students:
PhD, Liverpool John Moores University, Health Volunteers knowledge of diabetes in Thailand. 2021
External collaboration:
Heidi Parisod and Arja Holopainen,, Nursing Research Foundation/ The Finnish Centre for Evidence-Based Health Care: A Joanna Briggs Institute Centre of Excellence / WHO Collaborating Centre for Nursing Asemamiehenkatu 2, 00520 Helsinki, FINLAND. 2021
Teaching qualification:
Post Graduate Certificate IN Higher Education - Distinction. 2006
Membership of professional bodies:
Nursing and Midwifery Council, Registered Midwife. 1996