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researcher

Dr Melanie Cooper

Reader

Faculty/Dept/School Faculty of Health Studies
Emailm.cooper2@bradford.ac.uk
Telephone +441274 236440

Biography

Mel practised as a nurse then as a midwife before beginning her career in higher education as a Lecturer in Midwifery and Reproductive Health in 1997.

She is now a Reader in Maternity and Migrant Health. In addition she is the Director for the Wellbeing Health and Communities pathway for the White Rose Doctoral Training Partnership.

Mel’s research interests are around ethnic minority (including migrant) communities and co-designing, developing, implementing and evaluating interventions to support interaction with health and maternity services and overcome health inequalities. To date, interventions have included the use of digital technology and peer support. These include:

  • Project DAISI uses digital animation to communicate key public health messages with women accessing maternity care.
  • Interventions to support ethnic minority women accessing cancer screening services 
Engaging the seldom heard voice is essential to Mel's work. She works closely with the voluntary sector to ensure 'experts by experience', including people who are asylum seekers and refugees are central to all research activity. She recently worked on a project exploring the impact of COVID-19 restrictions on marginalised communities. This involved training peer researchers to reach socially isolated people to interview and helped the District recovery programme.

Mel co-developed the Maternity Stream of Sanctuary https://maternity.cityofsanctuary.org/ and within this recently established the Maternity Stream research network with an ethos of ensuring women who are 'experts be experience' at the centre of any research undertaken

https://maternityresearch.cityofsanctuary.org/

Mel has also worked to ensure the University of Bradford is welcoming and inclusive for people who are asylum seekers and refugees. She led the Faculty of Health Studies to be the 1st University department to achieve a 'Health Stream of Sanctuary award' and then led the University to be one of the 1st in the UK to achieve a 'University of Sanctuary award.' One aspect of this award involves enabling people, who cannot access student finance, the opportunity to study at the University. 

Teaching

Teaching interests

Ethnic minority and migrant communities and health/ maternity care

Engaging seldom heard voices in health

Health inequalities and public health interventions

Qualitative research methodologies.

Ethical, legal and professional issues in practice

Research ethics

Professional activities

  • 01-JAN-11: University of Bradford - PhD
  • 01-JAN-00: University of Huddersfield - MSc Health Professional Education
  • 01-JAN-97: Leeds Metropolitan University - BSc (Hons) Health Care Studies
  • Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC), Professional Register- nursing and midwifery
  • Higher Education Academy , Fellow
  • 01-JAN-18: Vice Chancellor award
  • 01-JAN-17: University of Sanctuary award
  • RCM I module: Co- author of ‘Understanding asylum seekers and refugees’
  • Reviewer: for NIHR and other grant applications
  • Maternity Stream Research Network : Leads this network of diverse researchers across the UK, working with international partners on research around maternity and migrant women

Publications

Peer Reviewed Journal
TitleWhat Refugee Women Want from Maternity Care: A Qualitative Study (2022)
Authors1. Evans, M, Plows, J, McCarthy, R, McConville, B & Haith-Cooper, M
JournalBritish Journal of Midwifery
DOIhttps://doi.org/10.12968/bjom.2022.30.9.502
 
TitlePerinatal depression: Factors affecting help-seeking behaviours in asylum seeking and refugee women. A systematic review (2022)
AuthorsFirth, A, Haith-Cooper, M, Dickerson, J & Hart, A (2022)
JournalJournal of Migration and Health
DOIhttps://doi.org/10.1016/j.jmh.2022.100128
 
TitleExploring the obesity concerns of British Pakistani women living in deprived inner-city areas: A qualitative study (2022)
AuthorsIqbal, H, West, J, McEachan, R & Haith-Cooper, M
JournalHealth Expectations
DOIhttps://doi.org/10.1111/hex.13527
 
TitleDeveloping an obesity research agenda with British Pakistani women living in deprived areas with involvement from multisectoral stakeholders: Research priority setting with a seldom heard group (2022)
AuthorsIqbal, H, McEachan, R, West, J, and Haith-Cooper, M
JournalHealth Expectations
DOIDOI: 10.1111/hex.13504
 
TitleWise up to cancer’; adapting a community-based health intervention to increase UK South Asian women’s uptake of cancer screening. (2021)
AuthorsPayne, D, Haith-Cooper M, and Almas, N
JournalHealth and Social Care in the Community
DOIhttps://doi.org/10.1111/hsc.13579
 
TitleA study to assess the feasibility of using a novel digital animation to increase physical activity levels in asylum seeking communities (2021)
AuthorsMontague, J., & Haith-Cooper, M
JournalHealth and Social Care in the Community
DOIhttps://doi.org/10.1111/hsc.13575
 
TitleResearch priority setting in obesity: a systematic review. (2021)
AuthorsIqbal H;McEachan RRC;West J;Haith-Cooper M;
JournalJournal of Public Health (Springer)
DOI10.1007/s10389-021-01679-8
 
TitleA systematic review to identify key elements of effective public health interventions that address barriers to health services for refugees. (2021)
AuthorsJarrow, M, Haith-Cooper, M, Hargan, J and Balaam, MC
JournalJournal of Public Health (Springer)
PublisherSpringer
DOIhttps://doi.org/10.1007/s10389-021-01519-9
 
TitleAn exploration of the impact of SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19) restrictions on marginalised groups in the UK (2021)
AuthorsEshareturi, C, Wareham, A, Rattray, M, Haith-Cooper, M and McCarthy, R
JournalJournal Of Public Health (Oxford, England)
DOIhttps://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0033350621002122?via%3Dihub
 
TitleA systematic review of perinatal social support interventions for asylum-seeking and refugee women residing in Europe (2021)
AuthorsBalaam, MC, Kingdon, C and Haith-Cooper, M
JournalJournal of Immigrant and Minority Health
DOIhttps://doi.org/10.1007/s10903-021-01242-3
 
TitleAn exploration of migrant women’s perceptions of public health messages to reduce stillbirth in the UK: a qualitative study (2021)
AuthorsStacey, T, Haith-Cooper, M, Almas, N and Kenyon, C
JournalBMC Pregnancy and Childbirth
DOIhttps://doi.org/10.1186/s12884-021-03879-2
 
TitleA systematic review to identify research priority setting in Black and minority ethnic health and evaluate their processes (2021)
AuthorsIqbal, H; West, J; Haith-Cooper, M; McEachan, R.C
JournalPLoS ONE
PublisherPLOS ONE
DOIhttps://doi.org/ 10.1371/journal.pone.0251685
 
TitleThe co-development and feasibility-testing of a digital animation intervention (DAISI) to reduce the risk of maternal sepsis in the postnatal period (2020)
AuthorsHaith-Cooper, M, Stacey, T, Bailey, F, Broadhead-Croft, S
JournalMaternal and Child Health Journal
DOIhttps://doi.org/10.1007/s10995-020-02932-4
 
TitleDestitution in pregnancy: Forced migrant women’s lived experience (2020)
AuthorsEllul, R, McCarthy R and Haith-Cooper M
JournalBritish Journal of Midwifery
DOIhttps://www.magonlinelibrary.com/doi/abs/10.12968/bjom.2020.28.11.778
 
TitleMembrane sweeping at term to promote spontaneous labour and reduce the likelihood of a formal induction of labour for postmaturity: a systematic review and meta-analysis (2019)
AuthorsAvdiyovski H, Haith-Cooper M, Scally A.
JournalJournal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology
DOI10.1080/01443615.2018.1467388
 
TitleDiet and physical activity in pregnancy: A study exploring women's beliefs and behaviours (2019)
AuthorsChana R, Haith-Cooper M.
JournalBritish Journal of Midwifery
DOI10.12968/bjom.2019.27.5.297
 
TitleHospital postnatal discharge and sepsis advice: Perspectives of women and midwifery students (2018)
AuthorsHaith-Cooper, Melanie, Stacey, T, Bailey, F.
JournalBritish Journal of Midwifery
DOIhttps://www.magonlinelibrary.com/doi/abs/10.12968/bjom.2018.26.4.248
 
TitleVulnerable migrant women and postnatal depression: A case of invisibility in maternity services? (2018)
AuthorsFirth, Amanda, Haith-Cooper, Melanie
JournalBritish Journal of Midwifery
DOIhttps://www.magonlinelibrary.com/doi/abs/10.12968/bjom.2018.26.2.78
 
TitleExercise and physical activity in asylum seekers in Northern England; using the theoretical domains framework to identify barriers and facilitators (2018)
AuthorsHaith-Cooper, Melanie; Waskett, Catherine; Montague, Jane; Horne, Maria
JournalBMC Public Health
DOIhttps://bmcpublichealth.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s12889-018-5692-2
 
TitleThe experiences of pregnant migrant women in detention: A qualitative study (2018)
AuthorsArshad, F, Haith-Cooper, Melanie, Palloti, P.
JournalBritish Journal of Midwifery
DOIhttps://www.britishjournalofmidwifery.com/content/research/the-experiences-of-pregnant-migrant-women-in-detention-a-qualitative-study
 
TitleA concept analysis of the term migrant women in the context of pregnancy (2017)
AuthorsBalaam, M-C, Haith-Cooper, Melanie, Parízková, A, Weckend, M.J, Fleming, V, Roosalu, T, Vržina, S.S.
JournalInternational Journal of Nursing Practice
DOIhttps://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1111/ijn.12600
 
TitleThe effect of maternal position at birth on perineal trauma: A systematic review (2016)
AuthorsLodge F, Haith-Cooper M.
JournalBritish Journal of Midwifery
DOI10.12968/bjom.2016.24.3.172
 
TitlePregnant and seeking asylum: Exploring women's experiences 'from booking to baby' (2016)
AuthorsLephard E.;Haith-Cooper M.
JournalBritish Journal of Midwifery
DOI10.12968/bjom.2016.24.2.130
 
TitleDo psychosocial interventions have an impact on maternal perception of perinatal depression? (2016)
AuthorsFirth, Amanda, Haith-Cooper, Melanie, Egan, Dominic
JournalBritish Journal of Midwifery
DOIhttps://www.magonlinelibrary.com/doi/abs/10.12968/bjom.2016.24.12.855
 
TitleEthno-Specific Risk Factors for Adverse Pregnancy Outcomes: Findings from the Born in Bradford Cohort Study (2016)
AuthorsStacey, T.Prady, S.L. Haith-Cooper, Melanie, Downe, S, Simpson, N, Pickett, K.E.
JournalMaternal and Child Health Journal
DOIhttps://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/26983444/
 
TitleStriving for excellence in maternity care: The Maternity Stream of the City of Sanctuary. (2015)
AuthorsHaith-Cooper, Melanie; McCarthy, Rose
JournalBritish Journal of Midwifery
DOIhttps://www.magonlinelibrary.com/doi/abs/10.12968/bjom.2015.23.9.648
 
TitlePregnancy related telephone consultations to an out-of-hours provider: a retrospective database study (2015)
AuthorsHaith-Cooper, Melanie; Stacey, T, Clements, E, Mohammed, Mohammed A, Edwards, E.
JournalPrimary health care research & development
DOIhttps://eprints.whiterose.ac.uk/84055/
 
TitleMobile translators for non-English-speaking women accessing maternity services. (2014)
AuthorsHaith-Cooper, Melanie
JournalBritish Journal of Midwifery
DOIhttps://www.magonlinelibrary.com/doi/abs/10.12968/bjom.2014.22.11.795
 
TitleAn evaluation of a family health programme for newly arrived asylum seekers living in an initial accommodation centre in Northern England (2014)
AuthorsHaith-Cooper, Melanie
JournalMIDIRS Midwifery Digest
 
TitleMeeting the health and social care needs of pregnant asylum seekers; midwifery students' perspectives. Part 3; "The pregnant woman within the global context"; an inclusive model for midwifery education to address the needs of asylum seeking women in the UK. (2013)
AuthorsHaith-Cooper M.;Bradshaw G.
JournalNurse Education Today
DOI10.1016/j.nedt.2012.04.016
 
TitleMeeting the health and social needs of pregnant asylum seekers: Midwifery students' perspectives. Part 2: Dominant discourses and approaches to care (2013)
AuthorsHaith-Cooper M.;Bradshaw G.
JournalNurse Education Today
DOI10.1016/j.nedt.2012.06.014
 
TitleEvaluating the impact of befriending for pregnant asylum seeking and refugee women (2013)
AuthorsMcCarthy, Rose; Haith-Cooper, Melanie
JournalBritish Journal of Midwifery
DOIhttps://www.magonlinelibrary.com/doi/abs/10.12968/bjom.2013.21.6.404
 
TitleMeeting the health and social needs of pregnant asylum seekers, midwifery students' perspectives. Part 1; dominant discourses and midwifery students. (2013)
AuthorsHaith-Cooper M.;Bradshaw G.
JournalNurse Education Today
DOI10.1016/j.nedt.2012.05.005
 
TitleCulture and communication in ethically appropriate care (2008)
AuthorsMeddings, Fiona S.; Haith-Cooper, Melanie
JournalNursing Ethics
DOIhttps://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/18096581/
 
TitleVaginal birth after caesarean section (VBAC): exploring women's perceptions (2007)
AuthorsMeddings, Fiona S.; MacVane Phipps, Fiona E.; Haith-Cooper, Melanie; Haigh, Jacquelyn
JournalJournal of Clinical Nursing
DOIhttps://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/17181678/
 
TitleDelivery suite assessment unit: auditing innovation in maternity triage (2007)
AuthorsNolan, Sheila; Morgan, Jane; Pickles, Jacky; Haith-Cooper, Melanie; MacVane Phipps, Fiona E.
JournalBritish Journal of Midwifery
DOIhttps://www.magonlinelibrary.com/doi/abs/10.12968/bjom.2007.15.8.24393
 
TitleObtaining Informed Consent in an Egyptian Research Study (2004)
AuthorsRashad, A.M.; MacVane Phipps, Fiona E.; Haith-Cooper, Melanie
JournalNursing Ethics
DOIhttps://journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1191/0969733004ne711oa
 
TitleAn exploration of tutors' experiences of facilitating problem-based learning. Part 2 - Implications for the facilitation of problem based learning (2003)
AuthorsHaith-Cooper M.
JournalNurse Education Today
DOI10.1016/S0260-6917(02)00166-1
 
TitleAn exploration of tutors’ experiences of facilitating problem-based learning. Part 1: An educational research methodology combining innovation and philosophical tradition (2003)
AuthorsHaith-Cooper, Melanie
JournalNurse Education Today
DOIhttps://www.semanticscholar.org/paper/An-exploration-of-tutors%27-experiences-of-learning.-Haith-Cooper/08e9f6d7134420289341b4657bb5a70748f764d5
 
TitleProblem-Based Learning within Health Professional Education, What is the Role of the Lecturer? A review of the literature (2000)
AuthorsHaith-Cooper, Melanie
JournalNurse Education Today
 
TitleTeam midwives’ views on team midwifery (1999)
AuthorsHaith-Cooper, Melanie
JournalThe practising midwife