Tracy La Penna

Tracy La Penna is a Lecturer in Midwifery and Baby Friendly Initiative Lead at the University of Northampton, School of Health Professions. A registered midwife and specialist community public health nurse (health visitor), she brings over 25 years of clinical experience from both community and acute settings, along with her role as a Professional Midwifery/Nurse Advocate.

Research Interests: Her academic focus lies in compassionate pedagogy, student experience in higher education, and infant and family mental health and well-being. She is currently a postgraduate researcher exploring the role of compassion in midwifery education, contributing to discourse on ethical and empathetic training in healthcare professions.

The 2023 technical report titled "Developing research and evaluation opportunities through partnerships Toolkit" reflects her engagement in collaborative research, emphasizing partnership models in health care services, particularly within Northamptonshire. Her work supports UN Sustainable Development Goals related to quality education, good health and well-being, and reduced inequalities.

• Scientific Awards: No awards explicitly mentioned.

Advising and Grants: While no formal list of advisees or grants is provided, her role as a lecturer and active researcher suggests involvement in student supervision and collaborative research funding initiatives, particularly through university-community partnerships.

Labs and Teams: Tracy is actively involved in the University of Northampton's public health partnerships, including organizing the Public Health - UON Partnership Away Day in March 2023, indicating active participation in interdisciplinary teams focused on integrated care and community health improvement.