Personal profile
Biography
Magdalena is a lecturer in Midwifery at NUI Galway. She is a qualitative researcher. Her PhD thesis explored the concept of safe motherhood as experienced and understood by women, midwives and traditional birth attendants as well as the social structures that shape their experiences and understanding in southeast Nigeria. The study employed hermeneutic phenomenological approach guided by poststructural feminism.In her MSc. dissertation, she explored support for learning in the clinical area for post registration student midwives.
Research Interests
Women's and maternal health, safe motherhood, normal labour and childbirth, Informal (traditional) birth attendants, cultural birth practices, and international policies around pregnancy and birth.Midwifery education, learning support for midwifery student, clinical learning environment.Methodologies - Qualitative research - hermeneutics, phenomenology, feminisms, discourse analysis and ethnography.
Teaching Interests
Magdalena teaches across undergraduate, and higher diploma midwifery programmes in the classroom and skills lab settings. She is passionate about all aspects of midwifery, with particular interest in normal midwifery, ethnic minority women, and obstetric emergencies. She uses a variety of teaching methods.
Education/Academic qualification
B.Sc., M.Sc., PhD
External positions
School of Nursing and Midwifery, Trinity College Dublin
2 Jan 2008 → 30 Sep 2019
Expertise related to UN Sustainable Development Goals
In 2015, UN member states agreed to 17 global Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) to end poverty, protect the planet and ensure prosperity for all. This person’s work contributes towards the following SDG(s):
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SDG 3 Good Health and Well-being
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SDG 4 Quality Education
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SDG 5 Gender Equality
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SDG 10 Reduced Inequalities
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SDG 12 Responsible Consumption and Production
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SDG 15 Life on Land
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SDG 17 Partnerships for the Goals
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Collaborations and top research areas from the last five years
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Palliative care nurses’ perceptions and experiences of clinical supervision: A qualitative study.
Munro, D., Gill Meeley, N., M, O., Power, B. & Smyth, S., 3 Mar 2026, Conference presentation.Research output: Chapter in Book or Conference Publication/Proceeding › Conference Publication
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Experiences and perceptions of palliative care nurses participating in clinical supervision - a qualitative study
Smyth, S. (First Author), Gill Meeley, N., Munro, D., Power, B. & M, O. (Last Author), 2025, University of Galway. 27 p.Research output: Book/Report › Published Report
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Exploring barriers and facilitators of providing maternal healthcare in Africa: Systematic Review Protocol
Senkyire, E. K., Senkyire, G., Asiedua, E., Ameyaw, J. K., Lamptey, E. & M, O., 16 Dec 2025, In: Systematic Reviews. 15, 21, p. 1-5 5 p., 21.Research output: Contribution to a Journal (Peer & Non Peer) › Review article › peer-review
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Key influences on women’s decisions for vaginal birth following a previous caesarean section: A qualitative study
Gavin, M. M., Ohaja, M. & Biesty, L., Dec 2025, In: Sexual and Reproductive Healthcare. 46, 101169.Research output: Contribution to a Journal (Peer & Non Peer) › Article › peer-review
Open Access -
Key Influences on women’s decisions for vaginal birth following a previous caesarean section: A qualitative study.
Gavin, M., Ohaja, M. & Biesty, L., Mar 2025.Research output: Contribution to conference (Published) › Paper › peer-review
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Creating a Community of Nursing & Midwifery Research
Ohaja, M. (Other)
23 Oct 2024Activity: Talk or presentation (Unpublished) › Oral Presentation
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Territories of Technology, Innovation and Development: Conducting Research in the Global South: Practical Methodological and Ethical Challenges/Opportunities.
Ohaja, M. (Invited Speaker)
30 May 2023Activity: Talk or presentation (Unpublished) › Invited Talk
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‘Upholding African cultural values, identity, and faith in a multiracial society.’
Ohaja, M. (Conference Organising Committee Member)
16 Feb 2019Activity: Participating in or organising an event › Organising a conference, workshop, ...
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Critical Perspectives on maternal Health in Africa,
Ohaja, M. (Invited Speaker)
14 Jun 2018Activity: Talk or presentation (Unpublished) › Invited Talk
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THE PREGNANTARCHIVE: Materialising Conception to Birth.
Ohaja, M. (Invited Speaker)
30 Nov 2017 → 1 Dec 2017Activity: Talk or presentation (Unpublished) › Invited Talk
Prizes
Press/Media
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Readers' blog: Natural birth is not an 'elitist' philosophy, The Irish Examiner .
1/06/18
1 Media contribution
Press/Media
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'We need maternity care providers who respect women and who listen to women'.The Irish Times .
1/06/18
1 Media contribution
Press/Media
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