The Department of Midwifery currently consists of four full-time members of staff, all of whom are conducting research in a wide selection of subjects which are of importance for the woman and her family, throughout their life-span. Research is currently taking place in these areas: preparation for parenthood, transition to parenthood, perinatal mental health, neonatal care, competencies in spiritual care, maternity care. Midwifery is a family-centred health care discipline founded on the relationships between women, families and their midwives. The Department aims at: preparing effective, efficient and competent midwives, promoting a culture of life-long learning that is open, facilitative, research-led and graduate centered, contributing high quality research to client care and professional education, building a strong partnership with colleagues of the various health care divisions and health care services, to ensure that the midwifery programmes and research activities are grounded in practice, providing openness and inclusiveness in all areas of education and practice, sharing and disseminating knowledge and expertise to support women, their families and society at large, establishing links with European and international colleagues and students through bilateral agreements, Erasmus exchanges, participation in and coordination of projects, international conferences and study visits. The Department strives to provide high quality pre-registration education and training for student midwives together with continuous professional development programmes and a Masters’ degree programme. Department members actively participate in conferences, projects and committees and give a valid contribution in both the local and international arena.