We could not be more delighted with the success of our Sapientia section, launched in October 2023. Deriving its vision from the Latin word meaning wisdom, our community has contributed a wonderful variety of papers exploring important topics.
The first paper came in January 2024, with a question: ‘Midwifery higher education: who are we and who do we teach?’. This was the first in a series of six papers inspired by the themes that arose from the Royal College of Midwives’ (2023) State of Midwifery Education report, many of which were troubling.
Following this, in March 2024, Stockdale et al considered the use of simulation in education, and the benefits of using motivational theory in its design and implementation at a curriculum level. In April 2024, Chenery-Morris and Divers’ second paper highlighted some of the inequalities experienced by the majority female midwifery education workforce, exploring how these inequalities are symptomatic of many of the inequality's women experience more generally in patriarchal structures.
In July, the third paper explored the diversity debate and the lack of global majority midwifery academics, the consequences of this and whether systemic racism might be improved as we continue efforts to decolonise the midwifery curricula. In September, the fourth considered the realities of working in midwifery higher education, and the disparities in pay and conditions experienced by many when compared to colleagues in clinical practice.
Continuing the theme of simulation as a transformational and experiential learning strategy, in October, Sanders and Thorne described their unfolding case study approach to immersive simulation for the benefit of both students and their facilitators in practice, endeavouring to support the application of theoretical learning to practice settings. Returning to Divers and Chenery-Morris, their fifth paper, published in November, discussed the interplay between practice and academic environments, stimulated by the changing standards of student supervision and assessment and the important role of the academic assessor. To conclude the series, the final paper in January this year explored the prescient challenge of a diminishing number of midwifery professors and the challenges in supporting midwives to undertake additional academic qualifications and research, both pivotal for our profession and the delivery of midwifery higher education.
An amazing array of insightful papers that demonstrate successes, as well as ongoing challenges, in our profession today. They attest to the vital role midwives play in our healthcare systems and global society. With the theme of our International Day of the Midwife 2025 ‘Midwives: critical in every crisis’, our Sapientia section has contributed wisdom that prepares our community for this call, both at home and around the world, where education is a vital component in preparing midwives to provide safe, respectful and evidence-based care.
We look forward to receiving future submissions in support of our Sapientia vision: sharing wisdom from our community.