Dr Tanya Capper

Biography: 

Associate Professor Tanya Capper is an academic and midwife with over 26 years of international clinical midwifery experience.

Tanya has held a range of midwifery positions including several clinical leadership roles within tertiary maternity services, a freestanding birth centre, and was the 'Named Midwife' for a caseload of HIV-positive women at a London teaching hospital.

Tanya migrated permanently to Australia from London UK in 2006 and moved into academia in 2015, joining ACU (QLD) in 2023.

In addition to her midwifery qualifications, Tanya holds a degree in Law and has an interest in the legal and ethical aspects of childbearing.

Tanya's research interests include but are not limited to:

• Complex midwifery practice
• Workplace bullying in midwifery
• Midwifery workplace culture
• Midwifery education
• Legal and ethical aspects of midwifery practice
• Incarceration and parenthood
• Governance related to midwifery education and practice.
• Perinatal mental health.

Academic Qualifications:

Doctor of Philosophy: Thesis Title - Workplace Violence in the Midwifery Student Experience - CQUniversity Australia - 2020

Master of Midwifery With Distinction - University of Newcaste - 2017

Graduate Diploma of Midwifery With Distinction - Charles Sturt University - 2015

Bachelor of Laws (LLB) - University of London, UK - 2001

Dip/HE Midwifery - Anglia Polytechnic University, UK - 1997

Bachelor of Science - Kings College, UK - 1995

Journal Articles

Ferguson, B, Capper, T. (2023). Balancing nursing and midwifery student equity and public safety: An Australian case study. Collegian. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.colegn.2023.11.006

Capper, T., & Ferguson, B. (2023). Evaluating womens experiences of labour pain: beyond a generic pain scale. Evidence-Based Nursing. https://doi.org/10.1136/ebnurs-2023-103850

Chee, R., Capper., T. & Muurlink, O. (2023). Social media influencers' impact during pregnancy and parenting: A qualitative descriptive study. Research in Nursing and Health. https://doi.org/10.1002/nur.22350

Brown, J. A., Capper, T., Hegney, D., Donovan, H., Williamson, M., Calleja, P., Solomans, T., & Wilson, S. (2023). Individual and environmental factors that influence longevity of newcomers to nursing and midwifery: a scoping review. JBI evidence synthesis, 10.11124/JBIES-22-00367. https://doi.org/10.11124/JBIES-22-00367

Capper, T., Haynes, K. & Williamson, M. (2023). How do new midwives&rsquo early workforce experiences influence their career plans? An integrative review of the literature. Nurse Education in Practice. 70, 103689. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.nepr.2023.103689

Chee, R., Capper, T. & Muurlink, O. (2023). The impact of social media influencers on pregnancy, birth, and early parenting experiences: A systematic review. Midwifery. Vol 119. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.midw.2023.103623

Chee, R., Capper., T. & Muurlink, O. (2023). Navigating the challenges of providing women centred care in the social media age. British Journal of Midwifery. https://doi.org/10.12968/bjom.2023.31.2.112

Capper, T., & Williamson, M., Chee, R. (2022). How is cultural safety understood and translated into midwifery practice? A scoping review and thematic analysis. Nurse Education in Practice. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.nepr.2022.103507

Baldwin A, Capper T. (2022). Optimising mother-baby outcomes of pregnancy and childbirth in prison requires both individual and systems review. Evidence-Based Nursing. doi:10.1136/ebnurs-2022-103561

Baldwin, A., Capper, T., Harvey, C., Willis, E., Ferguson, B., & Browning, N. (2022). Promoting nurses' and midwives' ethical responsibilities towards vulnerable people: An alignment of research and clinical practice. Journal of Nursing Management. doi: https://doi.org/10.1111/jonm.13764

Capper, T. S., Thorn, M., & Muurlink, O. T. (2022). Workplace Violence in the Australian and New Zealand Midwifery Workforce: A Scoping Review. Journal of Nursing Management. doi: https://doi.org/10.1111/jonm.13766

Maviso, M. K., Ferguson, B., Kaforau, L. M., & Capper, T. (2022). A qualitative descriptive inquiry into factors influencing early weaning and breastfeeding duration among first-time mothers in Papua New Guinea&rsquos rural eastern highlands. Women and Birth. doi: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.wombi.2021.01.006

Capper, T., Muurlink, O., & Williamson, M. (2021). The parents are watching Midwifery students&rsquo perceptions of how workplace bullying impacts mothers and babies. Midwifery, 103144. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.midw.2021.103144

Capper, T., Muurlink, O., & Williamson, M. (2021). Social culture and the bullying of midwifery students whilst on clinical placement: a qualitative descriptive exploration. Nurse Education in Practice. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.nepr.2021.103045

Downer, T., Gray, M., & Capper, T. (2021). Online learning and teaching approaches used in midwifery programs: A scoping review. Nurse Education Today, 104980. doi:https://doi.org/10.1016/j.nedt.2021.104980

Capper, T. S., Muurlink, O. T., & Williamson, M. J. (2020). Midwifery students&rsquo perceptions of the modifiable organisational factors that foster bullying behaviours whilst on clinical placement. A qualitative descriptive study. Women and Birth. doi: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.wombi.2020.12.005

Capper, T., Muurlink, O., & Williamson, M. (2020). Midwifery students&rsquo experiences of bullying and workplace violence: A systematic review. Midwifery, 102819. doi: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.midw.2020.102819

Capper, T., Muurlink, O., Williamson, M. (2020). Being bullied as a midwifery student: does age matter? British Journal of Midwifery, Vol 28, No3, 2-7. https://doi.org/10.12968/bjom.2020.28.3.166

Capper, T., Williamson, M., Donovan, H., Hegney, D., Brown, J. & Cusack, L. (2020). Individual and environmental factors that influence longevity of newcomers to nursing and midwifery: a scoping review. JBI Evid Synth. 18(0):1&ndash8. doi: 10.11124/JBIES-20-00003

Ferguson, B., Baldwin, A., Capper, T. (2020). Midwifery Students Helping Incarcerated Fathers: M2 Midwives for Men Project. Australian Midwifery News. 22 (1), 50.

Gray, M., Downer, T., & Capper, T. (2020). Midwifery student's perceptions of completing a portfolio of evidence for initial registration: A qualitative exploratory study. Nurse Education in Practice, 102696. doi:https://doi.org/10.1016/j.nepr.2020.102696

Capper, T., Baldwin, A. (2020). The Australian Birth Charter. Australian Midwifery News, Vol. 21, No. 1: 32- 34.

Gray, M., Downer, T., Capper, T. (2019). Australian midwifery student's perceptions of the benefits and challenges associated with completing a portfolio of evidence for initial registration: Paper based and electronic portfolios, Nurse Education in Practice, doi: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.nepr.2019.07.003.

Capper, T. (2019). Midwifery care of HIV positive mothers in Australia [online]. Australian Midwifery News, Vol. 19, No. 3, Spring 2019: 35-36. Availability: < https://search.informit.com.au/documentSummarydn=629315676091033res=IELHEA> ISSN: 1446-5612.

Capper, T. (2019). The implementation of a feedback tool for mothers that have participated in the continuity of Care journey with midwifery students at Central Queensland University. Australian Midwifery News, Vol. 19, No. 2: 26.

Baldwin, A., Sobolewska, A., & Capper, T. (2018). Pregnant in prison: An integrative literature review. Women and Birth. doi: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.wombi.2018.12.004

Baldwin, A., Harvey, C., Willis, E., Ferguson, B., & Capper, T. (2018). Transitioning across professional boundaries in midwifery models of care: A literature review. Women and Birth. doi: 10.1016/j.wombi.2018.08.003

Baldwin, A., Capper, T., Rogers, L., & Wood, E. (2018). From the Ground Up: Improving Pregnancy and Birth Experiences Through the Provision of Extraordinary Learning Opportunities in Australia. Journal of Forensic Nursing, 14(2), 80-87. doi:10.1097/jfn.0000000000000200

Capper, T. (2017). Midwifery students go to prison. Australian Midwifery News, 17(3), 24.

Book Reviews

Capper, T., (2020). Informed is Best. Book Review. British Journal of Midwifery, Vol 28, No3, 132.

Book Chapters

Capper, T. (2019). Chapter 5, Surgical Wounds in: Coleman, K., Neilsen, G. (2019). Wound Care: A practical guide for maintaining skin integrity, Elsevier Health Sciences. Chatswood, Australia. ISBN: 0729587533

Doctoral Thesis

Capper, T. (2021). Workplace Bullying: The Midwifery Student Experience. Doctoral Thesis. (CQUniversity Australia). Workplace bullying: The midwifery student experience (cqu.edu.au)

Original Works

Baldwin, AE., Capper, TS., Ferguson, B., Wood EA., Jensen, BS., Harvey, CL., Winter, K., Mainey, LJ., Geia, L. (2020). The birth charter for women in prisons in Australia, CQUniversity, Australia. Australian_Birth_Charter_2020_screen_1.pdf (amazonaws.com)

Conference and Webinar Presentations 

Chee, M. R., & Capper, T. (2023). The experiences of pregnant and new parents who engage with pregnancy, birth, and early parenting social media influencers. Women and Birth, 36, S18.

Capper, T., & Abbott, L. (2023). Pregnancy in Prison Partnership &ndash International (PiPPi): Building a collaborative global network of best practice for and with women prisoners. VIDofM 2023 Online Conference. May 2023.

Capper, T., Thorn, M. (2022). Bullying in the Australian and New Zealand Midwifery Workforce: A Scoping Review. Australian College of Midwives National Conference. Cairns, QLD. Sept 2022. Poster Presentation. http://doi.org/10.1016/j.wombi.2022.07.130

Capper, T., & Williamson, M. (2022). How is cultural safety translated into midwifery practice? A review of the literature. Australian College of Midwives National Conference. Cairns, QLD. Sept 2022. Oral Presentation. http://doi.org/10.1016/j.wombi.2022.07.102

Brown, J., & Capper, T. (2022). Where are all the graduates? A systematic scoping review findings. Australian College of Nursing. The National Nursing Forum Nursing Leadership Unmasked. Darwin Convention Centre. 17-19 August 2022. https://www.acn.edu.au/wp-content/uploads/nnf-2022-program.pdf

Capper, T., (2021). Workplace Bullying: The Midwifery Student Experience. Oral Presentation. The VIC ACM Student Conference. Online. Oct 2021

Capper, T., McLeish, E. (2021). Championing an untapped resource &ndash the current and future role of midwives in reducing syphilis notifications. ORAL PRESENTATION | The ACM QLD State Conference, Brisbane, QLD, Australia May 2021.

Capper, T. (2021). Midwifery students&rsquo experiences of being bullied whilst on clinical placement in the United Kingdom. Oral presentation at London 2021 Maternity and Midwifery Festival: Maternity and Midwifery Forum. Jan 2021. https://vimeo.com/showcase/london-mmf-2021

Ferguson, B., Capper, T., Baldwin, A. (2021). Working with women who are incarcerated. Australian College of Midwives Virtual Conference. https://www.midwives.org.au/events/working-women-who

Capper, T. (2020). Using an online anonymous qualitative survey to explore the experience of being bullied as a midwifery student. Oral presentation at the 7th Biennial ACSPRI Social Science Methodology Conference 2020. Dec 2020.

Capper, T., (2020). Individual and environmental factors that influence longevity of newcomers to nursing and midwifery: a scoping review. CQUniversity School of Nursing, Midwifery and Social Sciences Conference. Online. May 2020.

Capper, T. (2019). Vertical Violence and Midwifery Students. ORAL PRESENTATION | The ACM QLD State Conference, Rockhampton, QLD, Australia Feb 2019.

Capper, T. (2019). HIV Midwifery Webinar. Delivered online in collaboration with ASHM and ACM. Retrieved from: https://vimeo.com/367174624

Baldwin, A., Capper, T. & Delap, N. (2018). Australianising the Birth Charter. (Conference Poster Presentation). WHOCC Conference, Cairns, Queensland.

Capper, T., Baldwin, A., Rogers, L., & Wood, E. (2018). Thinking outside the fence: meaningful midwifery education. &ldquoWorking together to improve pregnancy and birth experiences for women and provide extraordinary learning opportunities for midwifery students&rdquo. Women and Birth, 31, S22. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.wombi.2018.08.071

Capper, T., Gray, M., & Downer, T. (2018). Looking back, looking forward: a comparison of midwifery students&rsquo experiences of completing portfolios of evidence for ANMAC as paper-based or electronic portfolio. Women and Birth, 31, S45. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.wombi.2018.08.134

Downer, T., Gray, M., & Capper, T. (2018). The benefits and challenges experienced by Midwifery student&rsquos when completing their clinical portfolios to meet the requirements for Standard 8 (ANMAC, 2014) and the National Competency Standards for the Midwife. In Transforming Midwifery Practice Through Education Conference Abstracts. Griffith University.

Ferguson, B., Capper, T., Brookfield, J., Williamson, M., & Lovegrove, M. (2018). Benefits of continuity models of care in building mutual support and nurturing between women and midwifery students. Does continuity of care foster clinical confidence, and emotional resilience and influence career goals? Women and Birth, 31, S9-S10. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.wombi.2018.08.037

Poot, A., Downer, T., Gray, M., Bradfield, Z., Capper, T., & Griffiths, M. (2018). Exploring portfolio use in midwifery education. In Transforming Midwifery Practice Through Education Conference Abstracts. Griffith University.

Williamson, M., Capper, T., Ferguson, B., & Brookfield, J. (2018). Midwifery Education: Understanding the impact of colonisation on the wellbeing of the First People of Australia. Women and Birth, 31, S19. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.wombi.2018.08.062

Capper, T., & Williamson, M. (2017). Continuity of care challenging entrenched views of cultural difference. Women and Birth, 30, 18. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.wombi.2017.08.046

Capper, T., & Williamson, M. (2016). Student midwives experience of normal birth &ndash Poster Presentation | The Normal Birth Conference, Sydney, Australia| Oct 2016.

Podcast Interviews/Newspaper Articles/Media

(2024) Episode 28: Social Media and Childbirth: What is the impact? Midwifery: Love, Life and Learning

(2023) Ep 68 PIPPI - Navigating Pregnancy in Prison: Spotlight on Midwifery Practice and Maternal Incarceration.

(2021) Episode 16 &ndash Tanya Capper & Workplace Bullying - The Midwifery Student Experience by Thru The Pinard Podcast.

(2021) Nurses and Midwives Talk with Ruth Oshikanlu - Midwifery Educator and Doctoral Student Tanya Capper Talks (Australia).

(2021) Episode 53 - Making a Midwife &ndash Tanya &ndash Head of Midwifery Course, QLD, PhD Bullying in Midwifery.

(2021) Episode 12 &ndash Dr. Tanya Capper - Bullying in Midwifery Education. Midwifery: Love, Life and Learning Podcast Series. all4maternity, UK.

(2019) Pregnant in prison: Women suffer fear, anxiety and stress while undergoing pregnancy and childbirth in prison, researchers say.

Current projects:

Pregnancy in Prison Partnership International (PIPPI).

Founding Member and Project Lead: An international working group with an aim of improving pregnancy and birth experiences for incarcerated women.

Workplace Violence in Midwifery.

Project Lead: Midwifery workplace bullying in Australia and New Zealand.

Midwifery Newcomers.

Project Lead: What early career experiences influence new midwives career plans?

Cultural safety and midwifery practice.

Co-Investigator: How do midwives understand cultural safety and incorporate this into their practice?

The impact of social media use on early parenting.

Co-Investigator: The impact of following social media influencers&rsquo during pregnancy and early parenthood.

The use of VR to capacity build the healthcare workforce in rural and remote Australia.

Co-Investigator/Mentor: The effectiveness of virtual reality to better prepare the health workforce to provide maternity care in rural and remote Queensland.

• Complex midwifery practice
• Workplace bullying in midwifery
• Midwifery workplace culture
• Midwifery education
• Legal and ethical aspects of midwifery practice
• Governance related to midwifery education and practice.
• Incarceration and parenthood
• The care of vulnerable women and their families across the childbearing continuum
• Perinatal mental health

Australian College of Midwives

Royal College of Midwives (UK)

Working party for Queensland Health Clinical Guidelines (Maternity and Neonatal)

The Australian Nursing and Midwifery Accreditation Council (ANMAC) assessment panel member

The Australasian Society for HIV, Viral Hepatitis and Sexual Health Medicine (ASHM) Midwifery Advisor