The three research pillars of LUMIRE

The LUMIRE research group organises its work around three complementary pillars that capture the core dimensions of midwifery’s role as a profession, an academic discipline, and a contributor to public health. These pillars guide our scientific priorities, research methods, and collaborations.

Interdisciplinary pedagogy and interprofessional collaboration
We study how midwifery is taught and how learning is strengthened through collaboration across healthcare professions. Our work centres on innovative teaching approaches, the integration of evidence-based knowledge into curricula, and the continual reevaluation of the competencies needed for contemporary practice. A key area of interest is how midwives learn and work alongside other professionals and how these interactions shape communication, training quality, and impact health outcomes.

Midwifery practice and professional autonomy
Midwives have a unique role in healthcare. Their independence ensures safe, high-quality care throughout the perinatal journey—from conception to birth and beyond. They support mothers and babies, including feeding choices, and help prevent health problems while identifying social or emotional challenges early, such as domestic violence, addiction or other psychosocial risks. Our research examines the scope of midwives’ professional competencies and the organisational structures that enable or limit autonomous practice. We contribute to discussions on regulation and policy with a view to strengthening the visibility and recognition of midwifery in Luxembourg, the European Union and internationally.

Physiology and salutogenesis in maternal and perinatal health
This pillar explores the physiological processes of pregnancy, labour, and childbirth, and the factors that ensure positive health outcomes during these periods for the mother, newborn and family unit. The goal is to strengthen evidence-based practices that respect physiological birth, support healthy family transitions, promote health and well-being and support public health initiatives.

Together, these three pillars create a coherent framework for research that advances midwifery as a knowledge-rich, scientifically grounded, and socially relevant field.