I am a lecturer within the School of Health Sciences, University of Dundee. My research engages with sociological concepts and theories to explore embodiment with a particular focus on pregnancy, maternal healthcare, and mothering. I utilise narrative and art-based methodologies, making my work relatable, accessible, and participatory.
I previously held a post as a research fellow at the Usher Institute, University of Edinburgh where I was awarded several grants to produce creative public engagement activities. One example of this is a project, which I co-developed with a multimedia artist Maya Chowdhry. We used transmedia methods involving immersive digital technologies to engage lay people and health professionals with some of the findings from my PhD. The project used audio stories, follow up activities, and discussion as a methodological approach to stimulating a visceral and empathic response in listeners.
My current research explores the experience of becoming a mother in the highly technological context of neonatal intensive care. This exploratory interdisciplinary project is funded by the Institute for Social Sciences Research at University of Dundee. I am pleased to be working with Professor Divya Jindal-Snape who has expertise in life transitions. This is an exciting project which will draw on creative methods to engage women who have mothered in the context of neonatal intensive care, and will focus on the embodied experience of becoming a mother.
Publications
Refereed Journal Articles:
Remnant, J., Sang, K., Myhill, K., Calvard, T., Chowdhry, S., & Richards, J. (2022). Working it out: will the improved management of leaky bodies in the workplace create a dialogue between medical sociology and disability studies? Sociology of Health and Illness. https://doi.org/10.1111/1467-9566.13519
Norman, J. E., Norrie, J., MacLennan, G., Cooper, D., Whyte, S., Chowdhry, S., Cunningham-Burley, S., Mei, X. W., Smith, J. B. E., Shennan, A., Robson, S. C., Thornton, S., Kilby, M. D., Marlow, N., Stock, S. J., Bennett, P. R. & Denton, J (2021) Evaluation of the Arabin cervical pessary for prevention of preterm birth in women with a twin pregnancy and short cervix (STOPPIT-2): An open-label randomised trial and updated meta-analysis.
PLoS Medicine. 18, 3, p. 1-18.
Norman, J. E., Lawton, J., Stock, S. J., Siassakos, D., Norrie, J., Hallowell, N., Chowdhry, S., Hart, R. I., Odd, D., Brewin, J., Culshaw, L., Lee-Davey, C., Tebbutt, H. & Whyte, S. (2021) Feasibility and design of a trial regarding the optimal mode of delivery for preterm birth: the CASSAVA multiple methods study. Health Technology Assessment, 25(61), pp 1-101.
Norman, J. E., Norrie, J., MacLennan, G., Cooper, D., Whyte, S., Chowdhry, S., Cunningham-Burley, S., Neilson, A. R., Mei, X. W., Smith, J. BE., Shennan, A., Robson, S. C., Thornton, S., Kilby, M. D., Marlow, N., Stock, S. J., Bennett, P. R. & Denton, J. (2021) The Arabin pessary to prevent preterm birth in women with a twin pregnancy and a short cervix: the STOPPIT 2 RCT. Health Technology Assessment, 25(44), pp 1-66.
Chowdhry, S. (2014) The caring performance and the ‘blooming student’: exploring the emotional labour of further education lecturers in Scotland. Journal of Vocational Education and Training, 66(4), pp 554-571.
Chowdhry, S. (2010) Exploring the concept of empathy in nursing: can it lead to abuse of patient trust? Nursing Times, 106(42), pp 22-25.
Other publications:
Chowdhry, S. Ross, E. & Swallow, J. (2020) Qualitative health research beyond and alongside COVID-19.