Jessica Smithson

Jessica is a final‑year MSc Midwifery student at the University of Bradford with a keen interest in women’s health, preventative care, and the emerging role of genomics in maternity services. Her academic work examines how genomic conversations can be made more inclusive, accessible, and meaningful for women and families, alongside a broader commitment to improving equity across maternity care. Beyond her studies, Jessica is dedicated to strengthening peer support networks and promoting wellbeing among student midwives to reduce burnout and foster confidence. She is passionate about ensuring women feel informed, heard, empowered, and able to exercise autonomy over their bodies, choices, and care throughout pregnancy and birth. Guided by personalised, compassionate, evidence‑based practice, she is particularly driven to improve representation and access for underserved communities. Looking ahead, Jessica hopes to build a career that bridges clinical midwifery, research, and genomics to help create more equitable and empowering maternity experiences.