Our Research Review Group

Tommy's Trustees and Co-Chairs:

Anita Charlesworth – The Health Foundation

Anita is Director of Research and the REAL Centre (Research and Economic Analysis for the Long term) at the Health Foundation and an Honorary Professor at the University of Birmingham. She is a health economist and has a background in government and public policy.

Prof Vanora Hundley – Bournemouth University

Vanora is Professor of Midwifery at Bournemouth University and is known for her extensive research on pregnancy and midwifery. She conducted one of the first randomised controlled trials of midwife-led care.

Scientific Advisory Committee members:

Prof Ganesh Acharya – Karolinska Institutet, Sweden

Ganesh is Professor and Head of Obstetrics and Gynaecology at Karolinska Institutet in Sweden. He is also a Senior Consultant in Obstetrics and Fetal Medicine at the Karolinska University Hospital. His research interests include placental imaging, high-risk obstetrics and maternal-fetal medicine.

Dr Ria Clarke – NHS Hospital

Ria is an obstetrics and gynaecology registrar in the South of England. Throughout her training, she has dedicated herself to learning how to amplify the voices of the individuals and families she cares for. She also focuses on racial disparities in maternal mortality.

Dr Karen Joash – Queen Charlotte’s and Chelsea Hospital

Karen is an obstetrician with over 10 years’ experience, known for her expertise in labour ward practice and maternal medicine. She is involved in postgraduate training and education quality assurance. She is also the Lead for Maternity Guidelines at Imperial Healthcare NHS Trust.

Prof Marian Knight – National Perinatal Epidemiology Unit, University of Oxford

Marian is Professor of Maternal and Child Population Health at the NPEU in Oxford. Her research focuses on the care and prevention of rare and severe complications that happen during pregnancy and early childhood. She also leads MBRRACE-UK’s national confidential enquiries into maternal morbidity and mortality.

Fionnuala McAuliffe – University College Dublin

Fionnuala is a distinguished figure in the field of obstetrics and gynaecology who is Head of Women’s and Children’s Health and Director of the Perinatal Research Centre at University College Dublin. Her research focuses on diabetes and nutrition in pregnancy, as well as maternal and fetal medicine.

Dr Fergus McCarthy – Cork University Maternity Hospital, Ireland

Fergus is an obstetrician, gynaecologist and senior lecturer based in Cork University Maternity Hospital. He is actively involved in teaching and research, with numerous publications and research collaborations. He is an expert in high-risk obstetrics.

Prof Katie Morris – Birmingham Women’s and Children’s Hospital

Katie is Professor of Obstetrics and Maternal Fetal Medicine at Birmingham Women’s and Children’s Hospital. Her research aims to improve care for women with multiple pregnancies, fetal anomalies and growth restriction. She is also Director of Birmingham Clinical Trials Unit.

Wendy Olayiwola – NHS England and NHS Improvement

Wendy is the National Maternity Lead for Equality at NHS England and NHS Improvement. She is a registered nurse and practising midwife with more than two decades of active service in the community and public health. She has a passion for culturally-sensitive care. 

Prof Lucy Smith – University of Leicester

Lucy is Professor of Perinatal Health at the University of Leicester and is known for her work on early stillbirth. She works closely with bereaved parents and charities to ensure her research impacts on the lives of pregnant women, parents and babies.

Dr Shema Tariq – University College London

Shema is a clinical research fellow at UCL’s Institute for Global Health and an honorary consultant HIV physician. She focuses on women living with HIV and how this affects pregnancy. After her son Altair was stillborn, she received specialist care and support from a Tommy’s research centre and now has 2 young children.

Implementation and Improvement Committee members:

Prof Aled Jones – University of Plymouth

Aled is Professor of Patient Safety & Healthcare Quality at the University of Plymouth, where he also serves as Head of the School of Nursing and Midwifery. He is an international expert on patient safety, healthcare quality and implementation science. 

Dr Michelle Peter – North Thames Genomic Laboratory Hub

Michelle is a social scientist and researcher who is passionate about tackling the racial inequalities in maternal health. She is co-author of the landmark Five X More Black Maternity Experiences Survey Report and provides research consultancy to Global Black Maternal Health.

Dr Nigel Simpson – University of Leeds

Nigel is Consultant Obstetrician and Gynaecologist at The Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust and is a senior lecturer at the University of Leeds. His research explores the causes and prevention of premature birth, with a focus on cellular processes in pregnancy.

Prof Justin Waring – University of Birmingham

Justin is Professor of Medical Sociology and Healthcare Organisation at the Health Services Management Centre in Birmingham. His research deals with the changing organisation and management of healthcare systems, and public services more broadly.

Dr Natalie Darko – University of Leicester

Natalie is Associate Professor of Health Inequalities at the University of Leicester and Director of Inclusion at the Leicester National Institute of Health Research (NIHR) Biomedical Research Centre. She specialises in health research and practice that addresses equality, equity and inclusion of under-represented and minority groups.