On Wednesday 20 November, NDPCHS hosted our second Research Showcase, focusing on a crucial theme: Advancing Women's Health. Developed by Professor Lisa Hinton and Dr Kath Tucker, the event brought together researchers from across the university to address historical gaps in women's health research and align with the government's Women's Health Strategy for England.
‘Women's health has been historically under-researched, leading to poorer outcomes,’ said Lisa Hinton, Associate Professor in the department, who opened the Showcase. ‘Today's event represents our commitment to changing that narrative through collaborative, innovative research.’
The day-long event featured presentations from leading researchers across multiple Oxford departments, including the Nuffield Department of Clinical Neurosciences, Women's & Reproductive Health, and Population Health. Presentations covered a wide spectrum of women's health issues, from cognitive frailty in elderly women to innovative research in reproductive health.
Professor Sarah Pendlebury shared insights on her research on cognitive and physical frailty in hospital settings, while Professor Krina Zondervan presented vital work from the Endometriosis Care Centre and Associate Professor Claire Carson presented on the range of Women’s Health Research in the National Perinatal Epidemiology Unit. The showcase particularly highlighted the department's diverse research portfolio, with presentations on topics ranging from recurrent UTIs across the life course, to adolescent menstrual health and the regulation of fertility trackers.
Kate Sheridan, a DPhil student in NDPCHS who presented her research on fertility trackers at the showcase, said: ‘It was interesting and exciting to see the breadth of work across the department and hear the commitment to inclusivity and overcoming administrative barriers during the brainstorming sessions. I especially enjoyed meeting folks from other departments and even outside the University also focused on transforming women’s health and have already made a bunch of follow up connections on projects and papers!’
Focusing on maternal health, researchers also presented work on gestational diabetes, hypertension in pregnancy, and postpartum care. Dr Kath Tucker's work on postpartum care and long-term risks highlighted the importance of extended monitoring beyond the immediate postnatal period.
Speaking of her research, Dr Tucker, Senior Researcher in the department, who organised the event, said: ‘Women who experience either gestational hypertension or diabetes are known to have an increase in their long-term cardiovascular risk, and it's important we support better monitoring and care for these women. I hope the event will stimulate the development of new research directions, foster collaborations, and ultimately produce more high-quality research.’
The event emphasised the alignment with the government's Women's Health Strategy, published in August 2022, which sets out a 10-year plan to improve women's health outcomes across England. The strategy's focus areas, including mental health, cancers, and healthy aging, were well-represented in the department's research portfolio.
Dr. Anne-Marie Boylan's presentation on menopause communication within British South Asian communities exemplified the department's commitment to addressing health disparities across different populations. ‘Understanding cultural contexts is crucial for delivering effective healthcare,’ noted Dr Boylan.
Sue Zeibland, Professor of Medical Sociology in NDPCHS, who attended the event said, ‘This was an excellent day and a timely reminder that across the Department, and the wider division, we have an abundance of expertise in women’s health (as well as many fabulous communicators). We are clearly in a very strong position to develop transformative research in women’s health, and I very much look forward to the next phase.’
The showcase concluded with a collaborative session led by Professor Sir Aziz Sheikh, Head of Department, focusing on future directions and partnerships. The event successfully mapped the department's extensive women's health research while fostering new collaborations and supporting early-career researchers in this vital field.
With the NIHR actively encouraging greater coordination across multiple disciplines, the showcase demonstrated NDPCHS's leading role in transforming women's health research and its commitment to addressing healthcare disparities through innovative, collaborative approaches.