I am a registered midwife with a clinical background that includes postnatal care and breastfeeding / infant feeding support. I have been working at the University of Canberra since 2012, convening and teaching into various Midwifery units. I am the Program Director for the School of Nursing, Midwifery and Public health, ensuring the qualioty assurance of delivered programs. I co-supervise higher degree research students. I am a practitioner member of the ACT Board of the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia. 

My Doctoral study examined the impact of the Baby Friendly Health Initiative (BFHI) in the Australian setting and provided recommendations which have informed national public health policy direction. I chair the Australian College of Midwives Advisory Committee for the BFHI in Australia. I am also an International Board-Certified Lactation Consultant and accredited BFHI assessor.

I am currently working with midwifery colleagues across Australia and New Zealand on several different projects: examining Australian and New Zealand women's early parenting experiences during a pandemic; exploring the factors that influence breastfeeding practices at discharge from accredited and non-accredited Australian BFHI hospitals and investigating the support offered to undergraduate midwifery students.    

Areas of Teaching and Research

• Postnatal issues for women and babies and early parenting 

• Breastfeeding and infant feeding

• The Baby Friendly Health Initiative

• Student support and the learning experience

I can be contacted by email: Marjorie.Atchan@canberra.edu.au