Dr Shazia Zafar BSc Hons, MRSc, PhD

• PhD in Polymers and Analytical Research
• BSc (Hons) in Chemistry

Dr Shazia Zafar is an experienced applied health research scientist. Dr Zafar moved towards health research after participating in projects within molecular physics including impacts on health with shisha smoking and volatiles of Manuka honey. Shazia explored medical physics and research in health at the School of Physics & Astronomy at the University of Birmingham.

She has worked across a range of disciplines which include healthcare based research and service evaluation studies. She is experienced in methodology development, investigative research, analytical methods, statistical analysis, and systematic reviews. Dr Zafar also taught in the School of Physics & Astronomy on topics such Quantum Physics and Observing the Universe.

Dr Zafar led work in national study of care home closures, abuse and violence, palliative care studies and currently in maternity care.

Studies were conducted using quantitative and qualitative methods combined with statistical analysis. Shazia worked closely with collaborating partners including Public Health England, Clinical Leads, CCG Leads, GP Surgeries, Women’s Aid shelters, IRIS Advocate Educators, Local Authorities, Directors of Adult Social Services, Managers and Providers of care, care staff, patients, older people and vulnerable women.

Dr Zafar is researching in area of maternity care and continues to develop her research projects which not only benefit patients but society as a whole.

• Supervising MNurs students
• Teaching undergraduates

Research interests and current projects

Dr Zafar is interested in research which focuses on maternity care and Hyperemesis Gravidarum in particular, as well as violence against women, with collaborating partners both in the UK and internationally.

Her research is both UK based and internationally (Brazil, Chile, Austria) in areas such as abuse and violence; alcohol consumption in pregnancy; impacts of Hyperemesis Gravidarum (HG) in varied ethnicities; improving communication with health professionals around HG; virtual reality as relaxation and pain control for patients with chronic pain (narration by Sir David Attenborough).

Dr Zafar is Chair of charity Pregnancy Sickness Support – UK’s only charity supporting women and their families suffering from hyperemesis. Having served as Chair and Women’s rep on the Royal Society of Chemistry Birmingham & West Midlands Local Section Committee, Dr Zafar engaged with members and the general public to promote science and in particular chemistry especially to girls. Dr Zafar helped build ‘science sessions’ at Birmingham Botanical Gardens. The science sessions provided for the first time experimental chemistry/science accessible to home schooled children (prior to the pandemic COVID-19).

Chair and Trustee of charity Pregnancy Sickness Support. UK’s only charity supporting women and families from the debilitating condition of Hyperemesis Gravidarum.

Chaired the Royal Society of Chemistry Birmingham & West Midlands Local Section and represented Women Scientists.