Staff profile

Dr Kath Ryan Research Director

Associate Professor

Faculty of Health Sciences

School of Nursing and Midwifery
Department of Nursing
Mother and Child Health Research Centre

Room 306, George Singer Building, Melbourne (Bundoora)

 

Qualifications

1998 PhD, University of Otago; 1990 – 2000 International Board Certified Lactation Consultant; 1974 Bachelor of Pharmacy, University of Otago

Membership of professional Associations

New Zealand Registered Pharmacist; Associate Member Royal College of Midwives

Area of study

Midwifery

Brief Profile

Kath is a New Zealand Registered Pharmacist with a background in community pharmacy, pharmacy practice education and healthcare research in pharmacy, nursing and midwifery.  She is an Associate Professor and currently Research Director in the School of Nursing and Midwifery, Faculty of Health Sciences at La Trobe University, Melbourne, Australia.  She has previously worked at Bournemouth University, UK (Reader/Associate Professor in Midwifery, Maternal and Perinatal Research) and the University of Otago, NZ (Senior Lecturer in Pharmacy Practice).

Kath's research interests include women's and children's health; infant feeding and peer support; use and safety of medicines and recreational drugs in pregnancy and breastfeeding; personal experiences of health and illness; health consumer perspectives and experiences, information gathering, evaluation and decision-making; social determinants of health inequalities; sociology of health and illness; qualitative research methods and the use of narratives in health research.

Research interests

Midwifery

- The role of the midwife researcher

Perinatal and Child Health

- Breastfeeding - promotion, medicines use, chronic illness, peer supporter training

Women's Health

- Personal experiences of health & illness

Teaching Units

Kath is currently teaching research methods to higher degree students and supervising Masters and PhD students. Previously, she has also taught sociology for pharmacists, healthcare ethics and pharmacy practice. 

Recent Publications

 

Book Chapters

Ryan, K., P. Bissell, et al. (2005). The work of Michel Foucault: Relevance to pharmacy practice in Sociology and Pharmacy Practice. P. Bissell and J. M. Traulsen. London, Pharmaceutical Press.

Web Resource

Ryan, K. (2007). Breastfeeding: DIPEx Charity www.healthtalkonline.org  launched 17 May 2007.

Journal Articles

 Lim AS, Stewart K, Abramson MJ, Ryan K, George J.(2012) Asthma during pregnancy: the experiences, concerns and views of pregnant women with asthma. J Asthma [Epub ahead of print] (doi: 10.3109/02770903.2012.678024)  

Ryan, K., Smith, L., & Alexander, J. (2012). When a baby's chronic illness or disability interfere with breastfeeding: women's emotional adjustment. Midwifery (Submitted).  

van Teijlingen, E., K. Ryan, et al. (2011). The Research Excellence Framework (REF): new developments to assess research in Higher Educational institutions and its impact on society. MIDIRS 21 (3): 298-301  

Wilkins, C., Ryan, K., Green, J., & Thomas, P. (2011). Infant feeding attitudes of women in the UK during pregnancy and after birth. Journal of Human Lactation (Accepted)  

Ryan, K., S. Brown, C. Wilkins, A. Taylor, R. Arnold, C. Angell, E. van Teijlingen (2011). Which hat am I wearing today? Practising midwives doing research. Evidence Based Midwifery 9 (1): 4-8 http://www.rcm.org.uk/ebm/ebm-2011/volume-9-issue-1/which-hat-am-i-wearing-today-practising-midwives-doing-research/ 

Ryan, K.M., Todres, L., & Alexander, J. (2011). Calling, permission, fulfilment: The inter-embodied experience of breastfeeding. Qualitative Health Research, http://qhr.sagepub.com/content/early/2010/12/07/1049732310392591.full.pdf

Ryan, K.M., Bissell, P., & Alexander, J. (2010). Moral work in women's narratives of breastfeeding. Social Science & Medicine 70 (6): 591-598. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.socscimed.2009.11.023.

Ryan K, A Herxheimer. (2007). “Personal experiences of health and illness on the web: A resource for patients, carers and health professionals”. Journal of the Malta College of Pharmacy Practice. 2007;13:27-30.

Crawford C, EA Shipton, Ryan, K. (2007). “Exploring general practitioner identification and management of psychosocial ‘Yellow Flags’ in acute low back pain”. New Zealand Medical Journal, 120:1254.

Ryan, K., P. Bissell, C Anderson, J Morgall Traulsen, B Sleath. (2007). "Teaching Social Sciences to Undergraduate Pharmacy Students: An International Survey." Pharmacy Education 7 (1): 1-9.

Ryan, K., P. Bissell, C Morecroft. (2007). "Narratives about illness and medication: A neglected theme/new methodology within pharmacy practice research.  Part II: Medication narratives in practice." Pharmacy World and Science 29 (4): 353-360.

Thomson, W. M., Poulton, R., Hancox, R., Ryan, K., & Al-Kubaisy, S. ( 2006). Changes in medication use from age 26 to 32 in a representative birth cohort. Internal Medicine Journal, 37(8), 543-549.

Hay-Smith, E., K. Ryan, S Dean. (2006). "The silent, private exercise: Experiences of pelvic floor muscle training in a sample of women with stress urinary incontinence." Physiotherapy. 93: 53-61.

Bissell, P., K. Ryan, C Morecroft (2006). "Narratives about illness and medication: A neglected theme/new methodology within pharmacy practice research.  Part I: Conceptual Framework." Pharmacy World and Science. 28 (2):54-60.

Ryan, K. M., P. M. Norris, et al. (2005). "Capturing data on medicines usage: The potential of community pharmacy databases." New Zealand Medical Journal. 118 (1223): 12 pages http://www.nzma.org.nz/journal/118-1223/1677

Conferences

Ryan, K., Todres, L., & Alexander, J. (2011). Calling, permission and fulfilment: The inter-embodied experience of breastfeeding. Paper presented at the Perinatal Society of Australia & New Zealand, Hobart, Tasmania.

Ryan, K., Brown, S., Wilkins, C., Taylor, A., Arnold, R., Angell, C., et al. (2011). Which hat am I wearing today? Practising midwives doing research. Poster presented at the Perinatal Society of Australia & New Zealand, Hobart, Tasmania.

Ryan, K., Wilkins, C., & Green, J. (2011). From “Bump to Breastfeeding": Evaluation of the UK DVD promoting and supporting breastfeeding. Poster presented at the Perinatal Society of Australia & New Zealand, Hobart, Tasmania.

Ryan, K., & Taylor, A. (2010). Analysing visual data: Body language and more in video interviews of women’s experiences of breastfeeding. Paper presented at the 8th Qualitative Research Conference, Bournemouth University, UK.

Wilkins, C., Ryan, K., & Green, J. (2009). Attitudes of women in the UK towards breastfeeding: Findings of Phase 1 of the Best Beginnings' 'Bump to Breastfeeding' DVD evaluation Paper presented at the Maternal and Infant Nutrition and Nurture Conference, Grange Over Sands.

Ryan, K. (2008). Paper presented at the SW Regional Breastfeeding Conference, Exeter (Invited Speaker).

Ryan, K. (2008). Themes from the DIPEx study. Paper presented at the Lactation Consultants South, UK, Breastfeeding in 2008.  Where do we go from here?, Winchester (Invited Speaker).

Ryan, K. (2008). Women’s talk: A multi-media, web-based resource of personal experiences of breastfeeding Paper presented at the UNICEF UK BFI, Glasgow. (Invited Speaker).

Ryan, K., & Todres, L. (2008). "That raw need to give my milk": Embodied emotional knowledge in women's narratives of their breastfeeding experience Paper presented at the 7th Qualitative Research Conference, Bournemouth, UK.

Ryan K M (Convenor). (2008) 15th International Social Pharmacy Workshop, Globalisation, Medicines and Pharmacy, July 8-11, Queenstown, New Zealand.

Ryan, K., Field, K., & Anderson, C. (2008). Patients' experiences as a resource for health professional training. Paper presented at the 15th International Social Pharmacy Workshop, Globalisation, Medicines and Pharmacy, Queenstown, New Zealand.

Ryan, K. M. (2008). Personal experiences of breastfeeding: Online peer support and an educational resource. Paper presented at the Association of Breastfeeding Mothers Annual Conference, London (Invited Speaker).

Ryan, K., Alexander, J., & Locock, L. (2008). Supporting women learning to breastfeed: personal experiences on the internet (Conference Symposium). Paper presented at the ICM 28th Triennial Congress, Glasgow.

Ryan, K. (2007). Innovation in breastfeeding support and dissemination of research findings: Internet resource for mothers and professionals. Paper presented at the Combined Schools of Midwifery and Pharmacy, Griffith University, Gold Coast, Australia.

Ryan, K. M. (2007). Personal Experiences of Health and Illness: Online Peer Support and an Educational Resource (Video Presentation). Paper presented at the 2007 Australasian Pharmaceutical Science Association Annual Conference, Medicines Design to Delivery, Sydney, Australia (Invited Keynote Speaker).

Ryan, K. (2007). New evidence-based website provides personal insight into breastfeeding. Paper presented at the Lactation Resource Centre Ashburton, Melbourne (Guest Speaker).

Ryan, K. (2007). Innovation in breastfeeding support and dissemination of research findings: Internet resource for mothers and professionals. Paper presented at the Mother & Child Research Unit La Trobe University, Melbourne (Invited Seminar).

Alexander, J., & Ryan, K. (September 2007). Video interviews on the web - illustrations (about changing family relationships) from the Bournemouth/DIPEx breastfeeding module. Paper presented at the Fourth Annual Medical Research Symposium, Bournemouth.

Ryan, K. M. (July, 2007). Changing Family Relationships With a Breastfed Baby (Video presentation). Paper presented at the Transitions in Family Health and Wellbeing: Contribution of education, practice development and partnership Bournemouth University.

Ryan, K. M., Alexander, J., Locock, L., & Bissell, P. (June, 2007). Women's experiences of breastfeeding: Moral work, embodied emotionality and 21st Century expressionism (Plenary Paper). Paper presented at the Nutrition and Nurture in Infancy and Childhood: Bio-Cultural Perpspectives, Grange over Sands, Cumbria.

Brown, S., Ryan, K., & Alexander, J. (2007). Breastfeeding and Breast Pain. Paper presented at the Nutrition and Nurture in Infancy and Childhood: Bio-Cultural Perpspectives, Grange over Sands, Cumbria.

Ryan, K., Alexander, J., Brown, S., & Locock, L. (June, 2007). Women’s Experiences of Breastfeeding: A DIPEx DVD and Web-based Resource (Workshop). Paper presented at the Nutrition and Nurture in Infancy and Childhood: Bio-Cultural Perpspectives, Grange over Sands, Cumbria.

Ryan, K. (2007). Expressionists of the 21st Century: Why are so many women pumping breastmilk? Seminar presented at the Centre for Social Research in Health & Health Care, University of Nottingham.

Ryan, K. M. (2007). Narrative methodology and discourse analysis: Moral work in women's accounts of their breastfeeding experiences. Paper presented by invitation at the Methodological Issues in Qualitative Health Research Joint Seminar Series, 2006-2007, Oxford and Oxford Brookes Universities Oxford.

Ryan, Kath. (2007). Gender, Health & Medicine. Seminar given to European Master of Public Health students, School of Health and Related Research (SCHARR).

Ryan, Kath, and Jo Alexander. (2006). "Using the Web to Provide Support and Information About Breastfeeding: A Resource Based around a Video Interview Study." Paper presented at the Royal College of Midwives Annual Conference, Torquay. (Invited Speaker)

Ryan, Kath, and Jo Alexander. (2006). "‘Webbing’ Qualitative Research into the Home: Video Data of Experiences of Breastfeeding." Paper presented at the 6th Qualitative Research Conference in Health & Social Care, Bournemouth.

Ryan, K M. (2006). "Fear of the Unknown: New Zealand Community Pharmacists’ Knowledge of and Attitudes Towards Genetic Testing: A Quantitative Survey and Interviews." Paper presented at the 14th International Social Pharmacy Workshop, Oxford 2006.

Ryan, K M, J Alexander, and P Bissell. (2006). "Moral Work in Women’s Narratives of Infant Feeding." Paper presented at the Medical Sociology Conference, Edinburgh.

Ryan, K. (2005). Teaching Social Science to Undergraduate Pharmacy Students: International Survey and Web Based Resource Centre. 65th International Congress of FIP, Cairo. (Invited Speaker)

De Silva, S., K. Ryan, et al. (2005). Pre-testing the Multi-lingual Communication Resource. Poster presented at NZ Pharmacy Conference (PSNZ & NZHPA), Auckland.

 

Research projects

 

  • 2008, Best Beginnings, Breastfeeding DVD Evaluation, £116,500, April 2008 – Feb 2010
  • 2006, Bournemouth University Research Capacity-Building Grant, Healthtalkonline (DIPEx) module (www.healthtalkonline.org/breastfeeding) on UK women’s experiences of breastfeeding – qualitative research project and web publication in collaboration with DIPEx Personal Experiences Research Group, University of Oxford, £160,000, September 2005 – May 2007
  • 2005, NZ Pharmacy Education & Research Foundation, A survey of New Zealand Community Pharmacists’ knowledge of and attitudes towards genetic testing and the human genome project, $2,328, June 2005 – May 2006
  • 2004, School of Pharmacy Research Grant, The provision of independent consumer health information, $18,000, January 2005 – December 2005.
  • 2001, Pharmacy Multi-lingual Communication Resource, $2,000, June 2001- May 2002, Dr Gordon Becket
  • 2000, NZ Pharmacy Education & Research Foundation, Application of Geocoding to Demonstrate Patterns in Pharmacy Patronage in Dunedin, $3,000, May 2000 – April 2001, Dr Gordon Becket & Dr Pauline Norris.
  • 1999, NZ Pharmacy Education & Research Foundation, Who Goes Where and Why? Patronage of Community Pharmacies in New Zealand. $3,850, May 1999 – April 2000, Dr Gordon Becket & Dr Pauline Norris.
  • 1995, Health Research Council, Postgraduate Scholarship, A History of Infant Feeding in Post World War II New Zealand: Medical, Pharmaceutical, Social and Other Influences, $12,000 p.a., 1.7.95 - 30.6.97
  • 1994, Starship Telethon Trust Grant, $3,000 one off, 100899
  • 1993, University of Otago, Fanny Evans Postgraduate Scholarship for Women, A History of Infant Feeding in Post World War II New Zealand: Medical, Pharmaceutical, Social and Other Influences, $12,000 p.a., 1.7.93 - 30.6.95, 100899
  • 1998, Health Research Council, Assessing and Managing Risk and Uncertainty: People Living with Breast Implants in New Zealand, $90,000, 1.7.98 - 30.6.99, Dr Carol Harrington
  • 1997, Health Research Council, Assessing and Managing Risk and Uncertainty: People Living with Breast Implants in New Zealand, $5,000, 15.6.97 - 15.8.97, Dr Pauline Norris