Student Highlights
From Midwife to Academic

Andy Ackerly graduated from a Bachelor of Midwifery in 2017 in Melbourne, Victoria. This started his career in midwifery where he worked with publicly funded Midwifery Group Practice (MGP) and home birth program where he realised a love of research and desired to continue with postgraduate study.

“This program was intertwined with a research project being overseen by a university and was how I developed my interest in research. That is when I knew I needed to further my education by pursuing a postgraduate,” he said.

Andy recalls he was drawn to the program due to the flexibility to focus on something specific rather than generic study.

“I liked the course options, and that you could focus your degree on something specific or follow the general structure, which I appreciated because I love flexibility and following my instincts rather than a prescription,” he said.

During his study, Andy realised research was his passion and refocused his study towards this goal.

“I thought going into this degree that expanding on my knowledge of evidence-based best practice would be my focus. And although that remains very important to me, over the course of my degree I realised that I am passionate about research. That is where ‘evidence’ begins,” Andy said.

With Andy living in Melbourne, Victoria, he completed his program completely online, all while working within the midwifery field. Balancing his workload, Andy was happy with the flexibility the program offered him to do this.

“I was surprised at how manageable the workload was. University of Newcastle have great flexible, pathways, so I chose to do two units per trimester which meant I was still able to work and keep up with the content,” he said.

Having support throughout the program, Andy has remained in contact with his teachers and considered the idea of continuing study into a PhD with support from his teachers and the knowledge he has gained through his studies.

“While I don’t feel ready to take on such a huge challenge just yet, it is amazing to know that maybe that could be an option for me one day. Engaging with and completing this degree gave me the confidence I need to advance my career and move to the next chapter of my working life,” Andy said.

Since completing his program, Andy has secured a non-clinical, academic role teaching dual nursing and midwifery students.

“My aim is to gain a permanent position and seek opportunities for involvement in new research,”

“Without obtaining my Masters of Midwifery I would not have this opportunity to pursue academia at this level. My career has now taken a whole new trajectory due to successfully completing my masters,” Andy said.

Recalling his time studying with University of Newcastle, Andy believes the course content, reflection and connections made throughout was most beneficial for his study and post-study career.

“I enjoyed the reflective element embedded in each unit. Although this was challenging, I found it to be extremely valuable to me as a midwife and now a teacher,”

“The best part was the opportunity to hear about how midwifery is being practiced all over this country from big cities to rural/remote towns in far north Queensland. I even had an online class with international students in China, which was a fantastic opportunity to be exposed to another culture,” he said.

Since completing his program, Andy has recommended the course to others within his field and encourages others thinking of studying to do it!

“I have recommended the Masters of Midwifery at University of Newcastle to many of my co-workers, and in fact I know 3 people who have since commenced their masters,” he said.

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Andy Ackerkly

Discovering a love of research, Andy Ackerly discusses his recent Master of Midwifery Studies journey.

This program was intertwined with a research project being overseen by a university and was how I developed my interest in research. That is when I knew I needed to further my education by pursuing a postgraduate.