University of Exeter Medical School

Dr. Rachel Jarvie

Dr. Rachel Jarvie

Postdoctoral Research Fellow

 R.J.Jarvie2@exeter.ac.uk

 South Cloisters 2.38

 

South Cloisters, University of Exeter, St Luke's Campus, Heavitree Road, Exeter, EX1 2LU, UK

Overview

Rachel’s career was initially as a teacher, and she has taught across the full range of academic institutions; from secondary schools to HE. She has particularly enjoyed teaching sociology to medical students on the BMBS at the University of Exeter Medical School. Teaching remains a passion, particularly with respect to the sociology of health and illness, health inequalities and qualitative methods.

Rachel has research expertise in the sociology of motherhood and maternal health. Her doctoral research examined discourses and lived experiences of ‘maternal obesity’ and gestational and type 2 diabetes in pregnancy. She also worked as a qualitative researcher in women’s health on the Antenatal Preventative Pelvic Floor Exercises and Localisation (APPEAL) Programme. This multicentre NIHR funded research project aimed to reduce the number of women experiencing incontinence after childbirth. Rachel carried out ethnographic research of antenatal clinics and midwifery practice to inform the design of the intervention.

Rachel’s current role is as a qualitative postdoctoral research fellow on SAMuel-2 project  (Stroke-Audit Machine Learning).

Qualifications

  • BA (Hons) Contemporary History
  • MSC Social Research (Distinction)
  • PhD Sociology (ESRC funded)
  • Advance HE Fellowship

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Research

Research interests

Rachel has a long-standing interest in researching health inequalities, particularly in respect to women’s health. She has research expertise in relation to reproductive and maternal health. She is interested in interrogating discourses vis-a-vis women’s health and health inequalities. She has significant research experience regarding the sociology of obesity and type 2/gestational diabetes.

Her research interests are also in using qualitative methodologies to explore lived experiences of health and illness. She has expertise in using ethnographic methods to inform clinical trials/develop clinical interventions. She is also interested in ethical issues vis-a-vis health research.

Research projects

Rachel is currently working as a postdoctoral research fellow on SAMueL-2 (Stroke Audit Machine Learning), as a qualitative researcher. This research project focuses on the development of a machine-learning tool intended to improve practice in acute stroke care. The qualitative research element aims to evaluate the acceptability and potential implementation of this tool by clinicians.

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Publications

Journal articles

Salmon VE, Rodgers LR, Rouse P, Williams O, Cockcroft E, Boddy K, De Giorgio L, Thomas C, Foster C, Davies R, et al (2021). Moving through Motherhood: Involving the Public in Research to Inform Physical Activity Promotion throughout Pregnancy and Beyond. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 18(9), 4482-4482. Abstract.
Salmon VE, Hay-Smith EJC, Jarvie R, Dean S, Terry R, Frawley H, Oborn E, Bayliss SE, Bick D, Davenport C, et al (2020). Implementing pelvic floor muscle training in women's childbearing years: a critical interpretive synthesis of individual, professional, and service issues. Neurourol Urodyn, 39(2), 863-870. Abstract.  Author URL.
Terry R, Jarvie R, Hay-Smith J, Salmon V, Pearson M, Boddy K, MacArthur C, Dean S (2020). “Are you doing your pelvic floor?” an ethnographic exploration of the interaction between women and midwives about pelvic floor muscle exercises (PFME) during pregnancy. Midwifery, 83, 102647-102647.
Jarvie R (2017). Lived experiences of women with co-existing BMI≥30 and Gestational Diabetes Mellitus. Midwifery, 49, 79-86. Abstract.  Author URL.
Salmon VE, Hay-Smith EJC, Jarvie R, Dean S, Oborn E, Bayliss SE, Bick D, Davenport C, Ismail KM, MacArthur C, et al (2017). Opportunities, challenges and concerns for the implementation and uptake of pelvic floor muscle assessment and exercises during the childbearing years: protocol for a critical interpretive synthesis. Syst Rev, 6(1). Abstract.  Author URL.
Jarvie R (2016). ‘Obese’ ‘sumo’ babies, morality and maternal identity. Women's Studies International Forum, 54, 20-28.
Jarvie R, Letherby G, Stenhouse E (2015). “Renewed” “Older” Motherhood/Mothering: a Qualitative Exploration. Journal of Women & Aging, 27(2), 103-122.

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External Engagement and Impact

Invited lectures & workshops

  • 2017 Biopolitics: Rethinking Motherhood – Older Mothers, Mother Figures and Representations of Motherhood: Contemporary Perspectives, UniversiteFrancois-Rabelais, Tours, France
  • 2016 Policing Pregnancy conference, The British Pregnancy Advisory Service, Birthrights and the Centre for Parenting Culture Studies, Royal College of Physicians. London

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