Associate Professor Lois McKellar

Adjunct Associate Professor UniSA Clinical & Health Sciences

email Lois.McKellar@unisa.edu.au

Available for media comment
Research Degree Supervisor

About me

Hi, thanks for taking the time to find out more about me and if I can be of any assistance to you please don't hesitate to contact me.

I have been a midwife for many years and I am passionate about the well-being of women, children and their families. In March 2022, I took a position as Professor of Women's Health at Edinburgh Napier University, Scotland. I remain an adjunct Associate Professor of Midwifery having been the Program Director for the Bachelor of Midwifery at the University of South Australia for six years.

I am an advocate for improving the well-being of women and the development of healthy and resilient families through collaborative research, publications, workshops and presenting at numerous... Read more

UniSA Clinical & Health Sciences

UniSA Clinical & Health Sciences is addressing society’s most critical and emerging health needs through quality teaching, learning and research excellence.

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Orcid
Scopus

Research

Research focus

Nursing
Public Health and Health Services
Curriculum and Pedagogy
Paediatrics and Reproductive Medicine
Education Systems

Highlights

McKellar, L, Steen, M, Andrews, J Gwilt, I & Lorensuhewa N. Capture My Mood: Development and implementation of a digital visual scale for women to self-monitor their psychological wellbeing prior to and following child birth (funded)

Fleet J, McKellar, L and Adelson, P. An antenatal package of integrative medicine techniques for labour and birth to reduce the rates of caesarean section in primiparous women: RCT (funded)

McKellar, L, Birbeck, D & Kenyon K. Moving beyond first year: An exploration of student experience beyond the first year of higher education (funded)

Eckert M, Adelson P, Fleet J, McKellar L, Evaluation of the Midwifery Caseload Model of Care Pilot in Yorke and Northern Region Country Health Region (Funded)

Research

Outputs

Research outputs for the last seven years are shown below. Some long-standing staff members may have older outputs included. To see earlier years visit ORCID or Scopus

Open access indicates that an output is open access.

Highlights

Year	Output
2018	McKellar, L, Fleet, J, Vernon, R, Graham, K & Cooper, M 2018, 'Comparison of three clinical facilitation models for midwifery students undertaking clinical placement in south Australia', Nurse Education in Practice, vol. 32, pp. 64-71. Open access 12 11 3
2018	Newnham, E, McKellar, L & Pincombe, J 2018, Towards the humanisation of birth: a study of epidural analgesia and hospital birth culture, Springer International Publishing, Switzerland. 28
2017	Newnham, EC, McKellar, L V & Pincombe, J I 2017, 'Paradox of the institution: findings from a hospital labour ward ethnography', BMC Pregnancy and Childbirth, vol. 17, no. 2, pp. 1-11. Open access 37 30
2016	Charlick, S, Pincombe, J, McKellar, L & Fielder, A 2016, 'Making sense of participant experiences: interpretative phenomenological analysis in midwifery research', International Journal of Doctoral Studies, vol. 11, pp. 205-216. Open access 39
2016	Morrow, J, Biggs, L, Stelfox, S, Phillips, D, McKellar, LV & McLachlan, H 2016, 'Evaluating a standardised clinical assessment tool for pre-registration midwifery students: A cross-sectional survey of midwifery students and midwives in Australia', Women and Birth, vol. 29, no. 1, pp. 85 - 92. 8 7

Books

Year	Output
2018	Newnham, E, McKellar, L & Pincombe, J 2018, Towards the humanisation of birth: a study of epidural analgesia and hospital birth culture, Springer International Publishing, Switzerland. 28

Journal Articles

Year	Output
2025	Stoodley, C, McKellar, L, Fereday, J, Ziaian, T, Steen, M & Gwilt, I 2025, 'Exploring mothers' perspectives on the early mother-infant relationship to inform midwifery practice: a qualitative study', Midwifery, vol. 140, article no. 104200, pp. 1-9. Open access
2024	Foster, W, McKellar, L, Fleet, JA, Creedy, D & Sweet, L 2024, 'The barometer of moral distress in midwifery: a pilot study', Women and Birth, vol. 37, no. 3, pp. 1-8. Open access 1 1
2024	McKellar, L, Fleet, J-A & Adelson, P 2024, ''There is no other option': Exploring health care providers' experiences implementing regional multisite midwifery model of care in South Australia', Australian Journal of Rural Health, vol. 32, no. 1, pp. 67-79. Open access 1 1 3
2024	McKellar, L, Martinez, L, De Sousa Machado, T, Eden, A, Stoodley, C & Adelson, P 2024, 'Evaluation of a pilot online education program to develop midwives' knowledge, skill and confidence in perinatal mental health in rural South Australia', Women and Birth, vol. 37, no. 2, pp. 355-361. Open access
2023	Adelson, P, Fleet, J-A & McKellar, L 2023, 'Evaluation of a regional midwifery caseload model of care integrated across five birthing sites in South Australia: women's experiences and birth outcomes', Women and Birth, vol. 36, no. 1, pp. 80-88. Open access 6 8 6
2023	Foster, W, McKellar, L, Fleet, JA & Sweet, L 2023, 'Moral distress in midwifery practice: A Delphi study', Women and Birth, vol. 36, no. 5, pp. e544-e555. 3 10
2023	Stoodley, C, McKellar, L, Ziaian, T, Steen, M, Fereday, J & Gwilt, I 2023, 'The role of midwives in supporting the development of the mother-infant relationship: a scoping review', BMC Psychology, vol. 11, no. 1, article no. 71, pp. 1-14. Open access 3 3 9
2022	Foster, W, McKellar, L, Fleet, J & Sweet, L 2022, 'Moral distress in midwifery practice: a concept analysis', Nursing Ethics: An International Journal for Health Care Professionals, vol. 29, no. 2, pp. 364-383. 13 12 5
2022	Foster, W, McKellar, L, Fleet, JA & Sweet, L 2022, 'Exploring moral distress in Australian midwifery practice', Women and Birth, vol. 35, no. 4, pp. 349-359. 9 8 25
2022	Othman, S, Steen, M, Wepa, D & McKellar, L 2022, 'Examining the influence of self-compassion education and training upon parents and families when caring for their children: a systematic review', Open Psychology Journal, vol. 15, no. 1, article no. e187435012210190, pp. 1-16. Open access 1
2021	Adelson, P, Fleet, J-A, McKellar, L & Eckert, M 2021, 'Two decades of Birth Centre and midwifery-led care in South Australia, 1998-2016', Women and Birth, vol. 34, no. 1, pp. e84-e91. Open access 1 1 27
2021	Adelson, P, Yates, R, Fleet, JA & McKellar, L 2021, 'Measuring organizational readiness for implementing change (ORIC) in a new midwifery model of care in rural South Australia', BMC Health Services Research, vol. 21, no. 1, article no. 368, pp. 1-6. Open access 11 8 8
2021	Birbeck, D, McKellar, L & Kenyon, K 2021, 'Moving beyond first year: an exploration of staff and student experience', Student Success, vol. 12, no. 1, pp. 82-92. Open access 7 6
2021	Gray, KL, Grebenshchikova, M, O'Reilly, SL, McKellar, L, Clifton, PM & Keogh, JB 2021, 'Development and validation of an online survey to assess perception of diabetes risk and barriers and facilitators to weight loss following gestational diabetes', International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, vol. 18, no. 2, article no. 480, pp. 1-14. Open access 2 2 3
2021	McKellar, L, Newnham, E, Fleet, JA & Adelson, P 2021, 'Midwifery-led care in South Australia: Looking back to move forward', Women and Birth, vol. 34, no. 5, pp. 537-545. 2 2 19
2021	Sidebotham, M, McKellar, L, Walters, C, Gilkison, A, Davis, D & Gamble, J 2021, 'Identifying the priorities for midwifery education across Australia and New Zealand: a delphi study', Women and Birth, vol. 34, no. 2, pp. 136-144. 5 7
2021	Stoodley, C, McKellar, L, Ziaian, T, Steen, M, Gwilt, I & Fereday, J 2021, 'Using co-design to explore how midwives can support the emerging mother-infant relationship during the early postnatal period: protocol for a mixed methods study', JMIR Research Protocols, vol. 10, no. 6, article no. e29770 pp. 1-12. Open access 5 5 1
2020	Bass, J, McKellar, L & Newnham, E 2020, 'Humanisation of childbirth 7. The role of critical pedagogy in midwifery education', Practising Midwife, vol. 23, no. 3, pp. 13-16.
2020	Gray, KL, McKellar, LM, O'reilly, SL, Clifton, PM & Keogh, JB 2020, 'Women's barriers to weight loss, perception of future diabetes risk and opinions of diet strategies following gestational diabetes: an online survey', International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, vol. 17, no. 4 article no. 9180, pp. 1-12. Open access 6 4 14
2020	Stoodley, C, McKellar, L, Steen, M & Fleet, J 2020, 'Simulation in midwifery education: a descriptive explorative study exploring students' knowledge, confidence and skills in the care of the preterm neonate', Nurse Education in Practice, vol. 42, article no. 102635, pp. 1-7. Open access 12 7 4
2019	Charlick, SJ, McKellar, L, Gordon, AL & Pincombe, J 2019, 'The private journey: an interpretative phenomenological analysis of exclusive breastfeeding', Women and Birth, vol. 32, no. 1, pp. e34-e42. 20 17
2019	Clohessy, N, McKellar, L & Fleet, J 2019, 'Understanding resilience in the context of midwifery: a concept analysis', Evidence Based Midwifery, vol. 17, no. 10, pp. 10-18. 4
2019	Kennedy, K, Adelson, P, Fleet, J, Steen, M, McKellar, L, Eckert, M & Peters, MD 2019, 'Shared decision aids in pregnancy care: a scoping review', Midwifery, vol. 81, article no. 102589, pp. 1-13. 27 25 14
2019	McKellar, L, Brown, A & Adelson, P 2019, 'A public e-survey to explore community understanding of the role of the midwife in Australia', European Journal of Midwifery, vol. 3, pp. 1-9. Open access 9 3
2018	McKellar, L, Fleet, J & Dove, S 2018, 'It's more than just luck: a qualitative exploration of breastfeeding in rural Australia', Women and Birth, vol. 31, no. 3, pp. 177-183. 6 5 4
2018	McKellar, L, Fleet, J, Vernon, R, Graham, K & Cooper, M 2018, 'Comparison of three clinical facilitation models for midwifery students undertaking clinical placement in south Australia', Nurse Education in Practice, vol. 32, pp. 64-71. Open access 12 11 3
2018	Sweet, L, Bazargan, M, McKellar, L, Gray, J & Henderson, A 2018, 'Validation of the Australian midwifery standards assessment tool (AMSAT): A tool to assess midwifery competence', Women and Birth, vol. 31, no. 1, pp. 59-68. Open access 13 10
2018	Wright, D, Pincombe, J & McKellar, L 2018, 'Exploring routine hospital antenatal care consultations: An ethnographic study', Women and Birth, vol. 31, no. 3, pp. E162-E169. 8 8
2017	Charlick, SJ, Fielder, A, Pincombe, J & McKellar, L 2017, ''Determined to breastfeed': a case study of exclusive breastfeeding using interpretative phenomenological analysis', Women and Birth, vol. 30, no. 4, pp. 325-331. 12 10
2017	Chen, M-M, McKellar, L & Pincombe, J 2017, 'Influences on vaginal birth after caesarean section: a qualitative study of Taiwanese women', Women and Birth, 30, no. 2, pp. e132–e139. 11 7
2017	McKellar, L & Graham, K 2017, 'A review of the literature to inform a best-practice clinical supervision model for midwifery students in Australia', Nurse Education in Practice, vol. 24, pp. 92-98. 30 27
2017	McKellar, L & Kempster, C 2017, 'We're all in this together: midwifery student peer mentoring', Nurse Education in Practice, vol. 24, pp. 112-117. 12 10
2017	Newnham, E, McKellar, L & Pincombe, J 2017, ''It's your body, but…' Mixed messages in childbirth education: findings from a hospital ethnography', Midwifery, vol. 55, pp. 53-59. Open access 30 26
2017	Newnham, EC, McKellar, L V & Pincombe, J I 2017, 'Paradox of the institution: findings from a hospital labour ward ethnography', BMC Pregnancy and Childbirth, vol. 17, no. 2, pp. 1-11. Open access 37 30
2017	Steen, M, McKellar, L V & Lorensuhewa, N 2017, 'Capture my mood: a feasibility study to develop a visual scale for women to self-monitor their mental wellbeing following birth', Evidence Based Midwifery, vol. 15, no. 2, pp. 54-59. Open access
2016	Charlick, S, Pincombe, J, McKellar, L & Fielder, A 2016, 'Making sense of participant experiences: interpretative phenomenological analysis in midwifery research', International Journal of Doctoral Studies, vol. 11, pp. 205-216. Open access 39
2016	Morrow, J, Biggs, L, Stelfox, S, Phillips, D, McKellar, LV & McLachlan, H 2016, 'Evaluating a standardised clinical assessment tool for pre-registration midwifery students: A cross-sectional survey of midwifery students and midwives in Australia', Women and Birth, vol. 29, no. 1, pp. 85 - 92. 8 7
2016	Newnham, E, McKellar, L & Pincombe, J 2016, 'A critical literature review of epidural analgesia', Evidence Based Midwifery, vol. 14, no. 1, pp. 22-28.
2016	Newnham, EC, Pincombe, J I & McKellar, L V 2016, 'Critical medical anthropology in midwifery research: a framework for ethnographic analysis', Global Qualitative Nursing Research, vol. 3, pp. 1-6. Open access 9 6
2015	Charlick, S, McKellar, L, Fielder, A & Pincombe, J 2015, 'Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis: Implementing Research to Influence Breastfeeding Education', International Journal of Childbirth Education, vol. 30, no. 2, pp. 49-54.
2015	Newnham, EC, McKellar, L V & Pincombe, J I 2015, 'Documenting risk : a comparison of policy and information pamphlets for using epidural or water in labour', Women and Birth, vol. 28, no. 3, pp. 221-227. 25 19
2014	McKellar, L V & Taylor, K 2014, 'Safe arrivals: responding to the local context in a training program for birth attendants in Cambodia', International Journal of Childbirth, vol. 4, no. 2, pp. 77-85.
2014	McKellar, L, Charlick, S, Warland, J & Birbeck, D 2014, 'Access, boundaries and confidence: the ABC of facilitating continuity of care experience in midwifery education', Women and Birth, vol. 27, no. 4, pp. 61-66. 21 17 2
2014	Warland, J, McKellar, L & Diaz, M 2014, 'Assertiveness training for undergraduate midwifery students', Nurse Education in Practice, vol. 14, no. 6, pp. 752-756. 23 19
2013	Newnham, EC, Pincombe, J & McKellar, LV 2013, 'Access or egress? Questioning the 'ethics' of ethics committee review for an ethnographic doctoral research study in a childbirth setting', International Journal of Doctoral Studies, vol. 8, pp. 121-136. Open access 6
2013	Wood, H, McKellar, L V & Lightbody, M 2013, 'Nausea and vomiting in pregnancy : blooming or bloomin' awful? : a review of the literature', Women and Birth, vol. 26, no. 2, pp. 100-104. 52 44
2010	McKellar, LV, Beresford, G, Grinter, EM, Pincombe, J & Weise, M 2010, 'ePortfolio in Midwifery Practice: the Way of the Future', Women and Birth, vol. 23, no. 3, pp. 94-102. 22
2010	McKellar, LV, Pincombe, J & Henderson, A 2010, 'Action research: a process to facilitate collaboration and change in clinical midwifery practice', Evidence Based Midwifery, vol. 8, no. 3, pp. 85-90. 4
2009	McKellar, L, Pincombe, J & Henderson, A 2009, ''Coming ready or not!' Preparing parents for parenthood', British Journal of Midwifery, vol. 17, no. 3, pp. 160-167. 18
2009	McKellar, L, Pincombe, J & Henderson, A 2009, 'Encountering the culture of midwifery practice on the postnatal ward during Action Research: an impediment to change', Women and Birth, vol. 22, no. 4, pp. 112-118. 11

Reports

Year	Output
2023	Adelson, P, Fleet, J-A & McKellar, L 2023, Evaluation of the midwifery caseload model of care in the Riverland Mallee Coorong Local Health Network (RMCLHN), University of South Australia, Australia.
2023	Loughhead, M, McDonough, J, Baker, K, Rhodes, K, Manzini Macedo, D, Ferguson, M, McKellar, L & Procter, N 2023, Person-centred and consumer directed mental health care: transforming care experiences, University of South Australia, Australia. Open access
2021	Adelson, P, Fleet, J & McKellar, L 2021, Evaluation of the midwifery caseload model of care pilot in the Yorke and Northern Local Health Network, University of South Australia, Australia. Open access
2018	Kennedy, K, Adelson, P, Steen, M, McKellar, L, Fleet, J, Eckert, M & Peters, M 2018, Patient-centred aids for pregnancy and maternity care: an evidence check rapid review brokered by the Sax Institute (www.saxinstitute.org.au) for the NSW Ministry of Health, The SAX Institute, Australia.
2016	McKellar, L, Fleet, J, Vernon, R, Graham, K & Cooper, M 2016, Comparison of three clinical facilitation models for midwifery students undertaking clinical placement in South Australia, University of South Australia, Australia. Open access

Other outputs

Pincombe, J, McKellar, L, Grech, C, Grinter, E and Beresford, G. 2007. Registration requirements for midwives in Australia: a Delphi study. British Journal of Midwifery, 15(6):372-383

Pincombe, J, McKellar, L, Grech, C, Fedoruk, M, Bria, K, Grinter, E and Beresford, G. 2007. Midwifery education in Australia: requirements for assessment. British Journal of Midwifery, 15(2):98-105

McKellar, L, Pincombe, J and Henderson, A. 2006. Insights from Australian parents regarding educational experiences in the early postnatal period. Midwifery, 22(4):356-364

McKellar, L, Pincombe, J and Henderson, A. 2002. Congratulations you’re a mother: A strategy for enhancing postnatal education for first time mothers investigated through an action research cycle. Australian Journal of Midwifery, 15 (3):24-31

External engagement & recognition

Collaborations

External engagement & recognition

Collaborations

Organisation	Country
Auckland University of Technology	NEW ZEALAND
Australian Catholic University	AUSTRALIA
Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency	AUSTRALIA
Chang Gung University of Science and Technology	TAIWAN
Children, Youth and Women's Health Service	AUSTRALIA
Deakin University	AUSTRALIA
Flinders University	AUSTRALIA
Government of South Australia	AUSTRALIA
Griffith University	AUSTRALIA
La Trobe University	AUSTRALIA
SA Pathology	AUSTRALIA
The 2h Project	AUSTRALIA
Trinity College Dublin	IRELAND
University College Dublin	IRELAND
University of Adelaide	AUSTRALIA
University of Canberra	AUSTRALIA
University of Northumbria	UNITED KINGDOM
University of South Australia	AUSTRALIA
University of Technology Sydney	AUSTRALIA
Women's and Children's Health Network	AUSTRALIA
Women's and Children's Hospital	AUSTRALIA

External engagement & recognition

Engagement/recognition	Year
Associate Editor Women and Birth Journal	2019
Excellence in Practice: Midwifery SA Health, Nursing and Midwifery Office	2019
Midwifery Education Advisory Committee Australian College of Midwives (ACM)	2018
Plenary speaker Australian College of Midwives (ACM)	2018
Consultation Safe Arrivals program - 2hr project	2017
Dennis Mutton Leadership award for a team project for leadership beyond self Governors Leadership Foundation	2017
Fellow of the Governors Leadership Foundation Leaders Institute of South Australia	2017
Founder and Coordinator of community mothers program MUMS	2017
Member Australian College of Midwives (ACM)	2017
Member, Midwifery Education Advisory Committee Australian College of Midwives (ACM)	2017
Midwifery Education Advisory Committee Australian College of Midwives (ACM)	2017
Citation for outstanding contribution to student learning Office for Learning and Teaching (OLT)	2016
Citation for Outstanding Contributions to Student Learning for development of a sustainable model of tailored support and innovative resources to enhance the clinical learning experience for midwifery students Office for Learning and Teaching, Department of Education and Training, Australian Government	2016
Midwifery Education Advisory Committee Australian College of Midwives (ACM)	2016
Scientific Review and Advisory Committee Australian College of Midwives (ACM)	2014
Scientific Review and Advisory Committee member Australian College of Midwives (ACM)	2014
Dennis Mutton Group Medal: Leadership beyond self in a community action project The Leaders Institute of SA	2013
Scientific Review and Advisory Committee Australian College of Midwives (ACM)	2013
Scientific Review and Advisory Committee member Australian College of Midwives (ACM)	2013
Scientific Review and Advisory Committee Australian College of Midwives (ACM)	2012
Scientific Review and Advisory Committee member Australian College of Midwives (ACM)	2012
Education and Accreditation Advisory Committee Member Nursing and Midwifery Board of South Australia	2010
Member, Endorsement for Midwives to Prescribe Steering Committee (EMPSC) Nursing and Midwifery Board of South Australia	2010

Teaching & student supervision

Teaching strengths

Midwifery
Inquiry Based Learning
Digital learning
Scenario based learning

Highlights

Senior Fellow, HEA

Teaching Excellence and Leadersip Program (2016)

Citation for outstanding contributions to student learning, Office for Learning and Teaching (2016)

Citation for outstanding contributions to student learning, UniSA Teaching Excellence award (2015)

Teaching & student supervision

Research degree supervision

Supervisions from 2010 shown

Thesis title	Student status
A co-design project to explore and support the emerging mother-infant relationship.	Current
Supporting perinatal mental health	Current
Barriers to weight loss and the effect of intermittent energy restriction on weight loss and diabetes risk in women who have had gestational diabetes	Completed
Development and validation of the barometer of moral distress in midwifery: an exploratory sequential mixed methods study	Completed
Exploring Taiwanese women's decision-making regarding vaginal birth after caesarean section	Completed
Exploring the lived experiences of first-time Australian mothers in their journey towards exclusive breastfeeding: an interpretative phenomenological analysis	Completed
Exploring women-centred care in public hospital antenatal clinics: an ethnographic study	Completed
The epidural complex: a critical ethnography of hospital birth culture	Completed

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Associate Professor Lois McKellar

About me

About me

UniSA Clinical & Health Sciences

About me

Professional Associations

Experience

Qualifications

Work history

Research

Research focus

Highlights

Projects

Other projects

Outputs

Highlights

Books

Journal Articles

Reports

Other outputs

Current research & highlights

External engagement & recognition

Collaborations

Collaborations

External engagement & recognition

Associate Editor

Excellence in Practice: Midwifery

Midwifery Education Advisory Committee

Plenary speaker

Consultation

Dennis Mutton Leadership award for a team project for leadership beyond self

Fellow of the Governors Leadership Foundation

Founder and Coordinator of community mothers program

Member

Member, Midwifery Education Advisory Committee

Midwifery Education Advisory Committee

Citation for outstanding contribution to student learning

Citation for Outstanding Contributions to Student Learning for development of a sustainable model of tailored support and innovative resources to enhance the clinical learning experience for midwifery students

Midwifery Education Advisory Committee

Scientific Review and Advisory Committee

Scientific Review and Advisory Committee member

Dennis Mutton Group Medal: Leadership beyond self in a community action project

Scientific Review and Advisory Committee

Scientific Review and Advisory Committee member

Scientific Review and Advisory Committee

Scientific Review and Advisory Committee member

Education and Accreditation Advisory Committee Member

Member, Endorsement for Midwives to Prescribe Steering Committee (EMPSC)

Teaching & student supervision

Teaching strengths

Highlights

Courses and programs

Programs I'm associated with

Research degree supervision

Gallery