Karen Khan

Biography

Academic Biography

With over 20 years of experience in academia and a clinical background in both general nursing and midwifery, Karen currently serves as Lead Midwife for Education (LME) and Professional Lead for Midwifery and Reproductive Health. Karen's academic journey began with an MA in Women's Studies from the University of York, which has significantly influenced her approach to feminist research methodologies in teaching and learning at both undergraduate and postgraduate levels.

Karen's research interests center on patient safety within maternity care, with a specific focus on Safety-II principles and applications. Karen is currently exploring this area through her part-time PhD studies at the University of Bradford, with a thesis titled "Exploring clinical vigilance in the management of labour."

Throughout her career, Karen has led various educational innovations, particularly in the field of immersive simulation. Most notably, Karen co- led the development of "In the Dock™," an immersive simulation designed to enhance students' understanding of professional responsibilities, patient safety, and collaborative practice. Karen's work in simulation-based education builds on collaborative research with specialists in communication and emotional intelligence, resulting in innovative immersive learning methodologies focused on developing therapeutic communication skills in healthcare education.

As Lead Midwife for Education and Professional Lead for Midwifery and Reproductive Health, Karen provides strategic leadership while serving as a member of the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) Strategic Reference Group. Karen actively participates in the national network of LMEs across the UK and contributes to the Local Maternity Systems (LMS) group. As an NMC Visitor, Karen contributes to the quality assurance and approval of midwifery education programs across Approved Education Institutions in the UK. Karen's responsibilities include providing strategic direction for midwifery and reproductive health education, supporting the development of pre-registration midwifery UG & PG programmes, and contributing to quality assurance processes at University and Faculty levels.

During her 20-year academic career, Karen has led numerous projects including implementation of blended learning approaches on virtual learning platforms, development of academic skills programmes for undergraduate students, and enhancement of therapeutic communication skills training through immersive simulation. Karen's teaching and research interests focus on patient safety within maternity care, with particular emphasis on Safety-II principles and applications. This approach recognises the importance of understanding how things go right in complex healthcare systems, rather than exclusively focusing on adverse events.

Karen's commitment to innovative teaching approaches informed by Safety-II perspectives represents a progressive approach to preparing healthcare professionals who can contribute positively to safe maternity care systems that acknowledge complexity and adaptability in clinical practice.

Professional activities

Publications