Sign in

Dr Anna Nelson

@annanelson95.bsky.social
305 followers 422 following 81 posts

Health Law & Fringe Festivals 📚 Interests: childbirth, doulas, birthing/maternity care, obstetric violence, ectogestation, and gendered experiences of healthcare & consent. Research Associate: King's College London. She / her. 🏳️‍🌈

PostsRepliesMedia
Dr Anna Nelson @annanelson95.bsky.social · 14/05/2026
New level of administrative hell unlocked: I need a verification code from my verification to log into my account on the verification app in order to get the verification code. How does this end?!
000
Reposted by Dr Anna Nelson
Hetan Shah @hetanshah.bsky.social · 04/05/2026
Like a gut punch, this quietly spoken sentence from Lubaina Himid who is representing the UK at the Venice Biennale www.ft.com/content/2a58...
Himid has lived in Britain for more than seven decades, grown up here, been educated here, built a life and a career here
- and yet the question of what "here" actually means, of who gets to belong and who is merely tolerated, has never left her work. "We do a thing, Magda and I, if we're booking a table on the phone, I will always do it," says Himid, whose RP-ish English has little trace of either London or Lancashire. "But when we go to a place we don't know, I always want Magda [who was born in Poland and is white] to go first. She signifies one thing visually and I signify another thing audibly. Together, we are incredibly belonging and unbelonging."
6590202
Dr Anna Nelson @annanelson95.bsky.social · 05/05/2026
Got so wound up by an Instagram advert that I wrote a paper about it. I have a limited free access link if anyone is interested but paywalled: utppublishing.com/doi/10.3138/...
utppublishing.com
“Your comfort matters”: Analyzing the Visual and Textual Rhetoric of an Instagram Labiaplasty Advert | International Journal of Feminist Approaches to Bioethics
Advertising on social media is an important and pervasive form of modern discourse. Through description and critical analysis, this piece unpacks the textual and image-based messages inscribed within and through an Instagram advert for labiaplasty. I argue that the advert is both grounded in—and perpetuates—neoliberal ideals of self-improvement and “self-care” and patriarchal notions of neat and controlled “feminine” bodies. Although this article focuses on a single advert, this is emblematic of a larger societal issue and serves therefore to underscore the importance of equipping young people with media literacy tools.
000
Dr Anna Nelson @annanelson95.bsky.social · 25/02/2026
I’ve enjoyed thinking with (and at times being challenged by) @quillkukla.bsky.social’s work on consent for while, so it was a pleasure to review their new book for @flsjournal.bsky.social: link.springer.com/article/10.1...
link.springer.com
Quill R. Kukla: Sex Beyond “Yes”: Pleasure and Agency for Everyone - Feminist Legal Studies
Feminist Legal Studies -
064
Reposted by Dr Anna Nelson
Bev Clough @bevclough.bsky.social · 09/02/2026
We have now started the next stage of our project: focus groups with (1) birth doulas, (2) healthcare professionals involved with birth and (3) people who have used or considered using a doula during birth in the past 5 years. Please do share with networks! @annanelson95.bsky.social
As part of our research into birth douals and medical law we are running focus groups with (1)
birth doulas, (2) healthcare professionals (widely defined) involved in childbirth and (3)
people who have used or seriously considered using a birth doula in the past five years. To
take part you must have worked or given birth in the UK. Interviews will take place in English.
(Please note, we will hold separate focus groups with each of these three groups)
*
If you choose to take part in this research, you will be invited to participate in a focus group
discussion with 5-8 other participants. These may be online or in-person, and you will be
given a chance to specify your preference on the expression of interest form. The groups will
last approximately 90 minutes and will be facilitated by both of the researchers. They will
take place between February-April 2026.
*
During the discussion, you will be asked to share your thoughts, experiences, and opinions on
birth doulas, including understanding the boundaries of the role, the interprofessional
dynamics in birth spaces, and navigating medico-legal frameworks. There are no right or
wrong answers—we are interested in your honest perspectives.
*
Participation in this study is wholly voluntary. Participants will not recieve payment for taking
part.
*
If you are interested in taking part, please fill in the expression of interest form linked below
by 5pm MONDAY 23 FEB 2026. If you have any questions, please do get in touch.
rd
EOI FORM - LINK & QR CODE : https://forms.office.com/e/9ZREnz1SGA
023
Reposted by Dr Anna Nelson
Bev Clough @bevclough.bsky.social · 17/02/2026
Latest blog post from our birth doula project, with update on activities so far and next steps @annanelson95.bsky.social There is still time to submit an expression of interest for focus groups so please do share birthdoulas.mmu.ac.uk/2026/02/17/p...
birthdoulas.mmu.ac.uk
Project Update - Birth doulas
As the project continues apace, we wanted to take a moment and reflect on the research so far and on our next steps.  Our Research So Far  In September we launched two surveys, one for […]
011
Dr Anna Nelson @annanelson95.bsky.social · 29/11/2025
www.durham.ac.uk/research/ins...
durham.ac.uk
COVID-19 AND BEYOND: (RE)CENTRING CONSENT IN MATERNITY SERVICE POLICY MAKING - Durham University
020
Dr Anna Nelson @annanelson95.bsky.social · 30/09/2025
Very excited to be heading down to London for the launch of the ‘Beyond Misinformation?’ project today! Also excited to have two uninterrupted hours to dig into this much anticipated book on the journey 📚
A pink takeaway coffee cup sits and a hardback book ‘Sex Beyond Yes’ by Quill R Kukla are placed side by side on a train table.
010
Reposted by Dr Anna Nelson
Bev Clough @bevclough.bsky.social · 02/09/2025
Sharing our surveys for birth doulas and for healthcare professionals (both broadly defined) for a project with @annanelson95.bsky.social on birth doulas and medical law. Please share widely!
134
Reposted by Dr Anna Nelson
Mireia Garcés de Marcilla @mggarces.bsky.social · 01/09/2025
Following from our MLR workshop last year, @zainamahmoud.bsky.social and I are organising a workshop on embodiment & colonialism in November! We are grateful to the @slsauk.bsky.social for supporting this event and look forward to what we hope will be a great discussion.
195
Dr Anna Nelson @annanelson95.bsky.social · 22/09/2025
People often express concerns that birth doulas are entirely unregulated, but the reality is a little more nuanced - as @bevclough.bsky.social & I unpack here: birthdoulas.mmu.ac.uk/2025/09/22/b...
birthdoulas.mmu.ac.uk
Birth Doulas and Regulation: A Socio-Legal Approach - Birth doulas
One of the claims which is often made by those expressing their concerns about birth doulas is that doulas are ‘unregulated’. The purpose of this post is not to provide […]
053
Reposted by Dr Anna Nelson
Rebecca Brione @rebeccabrione.bsky.social · 22/09/2025
On the theme of countering invisibility, I'm glad to support Black Maternal Mental Health Week UK 2025, led by The Motherhood Group (@TheMotherhoodGroup on Instagram/LinkedIn/TikTok). It’s time to #MakeBlackMothersVisible. #BlackMaternalMentalHealthWeek #BMMHW25 More: themotherhoodgroup.org/bmmhw25/
The Motherhood Group flyer for Black Maternal Mental Health Week UK 2025: Make Black Mothers Visible
022
Dr Anna Nelson @annanelson95.bsky.social · 19/09/2025
The Canadian player who is smashing this #RWC25 semi-final in full festival glitter is my new idol ✨
000
Reposted by Dr Anna Nelson
Rebecca Brione @rebeccabrione.bsky.social · 15/09/2025
Now more people are back this seems like a good time to give another shout out about this NEW edited collection on consent in reproductive care, including chapters from @drsamhalliday.bsky.social @annanelson95.bsky.social @zainamahmoud.bsky.social @emmacave.bsky.social and more
Photo showing three copies of the book Narratives of Consent and Reproductive Subjects in a stack.
163
Dr Anna Nelson @annanelson95.bsky.social · 02/09/2025
Surveys are now live - link are in the thread!
011
Reposted by Dr Anna Nelson
Center for Reproductive Rights @reprorights.org · 08/08/2025
People had abortions today and it didn’t affect their local politicians’ lives in any way!
215932
Reposted by Dr Anna Nelson
rePROs Fight Back @reprosfightback.bsky.social · 08/08/2025
"Obstetrics is one of the most expensive services provided by hospitals, especially in rural areas, which often see a larger portion of Medicaid patients. With financial hits looming, hospitals are primed to close maternity wards first, and rural areas are particularly vulnerable." @19thnews.org
19thnews.org
Pregnant people in rural parts of the country are running out of places to give birth
Some doctors worry that massive cuts to Medicaid will leave pregnant people needing to drive hundreds of miles for prenatal care and delivery services.
1113867
Reposted by Dr Anna Nelson
Dr Anna Nelson @annanelson95.bsky.social · 05/06/2025
Despite my best efforts, we are back here… if anyone is looking for a socio-legal / medical law researcher do let me know! Particularly interested in all things #childbirth, #obstetricviolence #reproductivetechnology and #consent but absolutely not fussy at this stage 📚
134
Dr Anna Nelson @annanelson95.bsky.social · 24/07/2025
Oh boy do I have *thoughts* on academic job hunting, institutional processes / practices, (lack of) care and candidate wellbeing.
110
Dr Anna Nelson @annanelson95.bsky.social · 23/07/2025
Women's sport and social activism are closely intertwined in many way, which makes the silence about Palestine at the #WEURO2025 all the louder.
000
Dr Anna Nelson @annanelson95.bsky.social · 23/07/2025
All Our Relations are doing brilliant work directly supporting and feeding families in Gaza: www.gofundme.com/f/donate-to-...
The two images are screenshots of the ‘Urgent Update’ from the All Our Relations GoFundMe page  - this is linked in the post. Key sentences about what All Our Relations are doing got support families in Gaza have been highlighted in light purple
000
Dr Anna Nelson @annanelson95.bsky.social · 22/07/2025
HONESTLY supporting the Lionesses is starting to feel like supporting Scotland. My body can’t handle it.
000
Reposted by Dr Anna Nelson
folukeifejola @folukeifejola.bsky.social · 21/07/2025
fivexmore.org/black-matern...
fivexmore.org
Black Maternity Experiences Report 2025 — FIVEXMORE
041
Dr Anna Nelson @annanelson95.bsky.social · 22/07/2025
An important framing here: “This isn’t just a story about a single miscarriage of justice, it’s also a story about how science can shape & reshape the law, and about all the ways that our ideas of women, of mothers, of motherhood shape the law too - often in ways that are invisible, but intractable”
000
Reposted by Dr Anna Nelson
Bell Ribeiro-Addy MP @bellribeiroaddy.bsky.social · 21/07/2025
Today, Five X More has published a comprehensive survey of 1,000+ Black and mixed heritage mothers, who were pregnant between 2021 and 2025. Their findings are worrying and shine a light on why Black mothers remain 3x more likely to die in pregnancy & childbirth. 1/6 🧵
164
Reposted by Dr Anna Nelson
O'Neill Institute @oneillinstitute.bsky.social · 21/07/2025
“The issue doesn’t get the attention it deserves.” O'Neill's Jennifer Li talks to CRE Daily about the housing crisis threatening US cities ahead of the FIFA World Cup. www.credaily.com/briefs/housi...
credaily.com
Housing Crisis Threatens US Cities Ahead of 2026 World Cup
The 2026 World Cup may worsen the housing crisis as cities brace for short-term rentals, displacement, and long-term rent hikes.
011
Reposted by Dr Anna Nelson
Ruth Pearce @notrightruth.bsky.social · 16/07/2025
New article! Embodied Experiences of Trans Pregnancy. Published in the journal Body & Society, this article is part of a special issue on Pregnant Bodies and Embodied Pregnancy. We draw on interviews with trans men and non-binary people to explore the lived, bodily complexities of trans pregnancy.
journals.sagepub.com
Sage Journals: Discover world-class research
Subscription and open access journals from Sage, the world's leading independent academic publisher.
13815
Reposted by Dr Anna Nelson
Morgan Centre @morgancentre.bsky.social · 15/07/2025
New article: ✨Relational dynamite: Engagements with kinship at the interface of donor conception & DNA testing Petra Nordqvist, Leah Gilman, Caroline Redhead, Marie Fox, Nicky Hudson @fimaccallum.bsky.social @lucyfrith.bsky.social from #ConnecteDNA www.sciencedirect.com/science/arti...
sciencedirect.com
Relational dynamite: Engagements with kinship at the interface of donor conception and DNA testing
This article investigates how Direct-to-Consumer Genetic Testing (DTCGT) affects people impacted by donor conception by bringing empirical data on how…
044
Dr Anna Nelson @annanelson95.bsky.social · 15/07/2025
I'm excited for the day when 'the algorithm' can tell the difference between 'I've looked at this Uni course page repeatedly because I'm considering applying to study' AND 'I've painstakingly poured over this page to prepare for an interview/application for a job from which I've since been rejected'
010
Dr Anna Nelson @annanelson95.bsky.social · 25/06/2025
This advert has stayed with me and the piece has grown legs - none of which are legal or bioethical so I’m not sure where to try and publish it! I’d describe it as a (feminist) close reading of the advert and its visual / textual rhetoric. Any suggestions about where might take it? (2000-3000 words)
100
Dr Anna Nelson @annanelson95.bsky.social · 23/06/2025
Has instagram ever served you an advert so egregious that you immediately lost three hours of your afternoon writing about it? On a totally connected note, does anyone have a suggestion for where might publish a piece that interrogates the framing of labiaplasty in an ad send from neoliberal hell?!
010
Reposted by Dr Anna Nelson
Ruth Fletcher @ruthfletcher.bsky.social · 17/06/2025
And so abortion will be decriminalised in England & Wales, if partially Great to see support for stopping the prosecution of abortion-seekers Terrible to see it depend on a Bill that increases police powers, criminalises poverty & restricts protest rights www.alliance4choice.com/decrim-in-uk
alliance4choice.com
Decrim in UK — Alliance for Choice
23019
Reposted by Dr Anna Nelson
crippingbreath.bsky.social @crippingbreath.bsky.social · 18/06/2025
Don't forget - we are recruiting Artist Collaborators! Learn more about this fabulous opportunity here! These artists will participate in a collaborative residency alongside Artist-in-Residence Dr Louise Atkinson. www.sheffield.ac.uk/cripping-bre...
sheffield.ac.uk
Artist Collaborator Recruitment
Cripping Breath is recruiting three disabled, chronically ill, and ventilated contemporary artists.
012
Dr Anna Nelson @annanelson95.bsky.social · 18/06/2025
Feminist liberation and trans liberation are fundamentally intertwined, as are trans justice and reproductive justice. When people seek to restrict trans people’s rights, we cannot take seriously their claim to advocate for women’s rights.
061
Reposted by Dr Anna Nelson
Jess O'Thomson @jessothomson.co.uk · 17/06/2025
So glad that the Commons has agreed an amendment to partially decriminalise abortion. But this is just a first step, the fight isn't over. goodlaw.social/la2u
goodlaw.social
MPs take historic first step to defend reproductive rights | Good Law Project
Women could no longer face the threat of prosecution for taking decisions about their lives and their families – but the fight is far from over
210324
Dr Anna Nelson @annanelson95.bsky.social · 13/06/2025
I was worried about giving this presentation today, as the funding for the project that it comes from was rejected last week. However, @feministjurisdg.bsky.social created a warm, curious & supportive space to play around with these new ideas - and renewed my faith in the project's potential!
The image shows a green title slide from a powerpoint presentation reading: "Barriers to care-full and lawful birthing care: understanding midwives as gendered and devalued care labourers"
100
Dr Anna Nelson @annanelson95.bsky.social · 10/06/2025
I'm looking forward to sharing some (early!) WIP at the @feministjurisdg.bsky.social Annual Workshop on Fri. I'll be talking about the need to underpin our analyses of barriers to lawful birth with an understanding of midwives as undervalued, gendered care labourers www.law.ox.ac.uk/content/even...
law.ox.ac.uk
Feminist Jurisprudence Discussion Group Annual
The Feminist Jurisprudence Discussion Group is thrilled to advertise our fifth
050
Dr Anna Nelson @annanelson95.bsky.social · 06/06/2025
I am just a girl, standing in front of jobs.ac.uk, trying to apply for every lectureship going, asking WHY there is ZERO standardisation of application processes. Cover letter, no cover letter. Narrative supporting statement, structured examples, individual questions. CV, no CV. It's anyone's guess.
030
Dr Anna Nelson @annanelson95.bsky.social · 05/06/2025
Despite my best efforts, we are back here… if anyone is looking for a socio-legal / medical law researcher do let me know! Particularly interested in all things #childbirth, #obstetricviolence #reproductivetechnology and #consent but absolutely not fussy at this stage 📚
134
Reposted by Dr Anna Nelson
Prof Lucy Frith @lucyfrith.bsky.social · 02/06/2025
The Reset Ethics: Moral Harm project has released its open-access resource package on moral distress and moral injury in healthcare. Free to download. @annanelson95.bsky.social Explore and share: www.socialsciences.manchester.ac.uk/research/pro... #moral #distress #bioethics #nhs
socialsciences.manchester.ac.uk
Moral Harm Project Resources - School of Social Sciences - The University of Manchester
011
Dr Anna Nelson @annanelson95.bsky.social · 22/05/2025
Have never been more grateful to be heading off to Prague for our wonderful little Fringe for the next few weeks. Here's being very adult and literally running away from both impending unemployment and big funding rejections (looking at you, Leverhulme). Na Zdraví!
010
Reposted by Dr Anna Nelson
Dr Anna Nelson @annanelson95.bsky.social · 30/04/2025
Our trans and non-binary colleagues, students, friends and siblings enrich our universities, our feminism and our lives in immeasurable and untold ways. We must not let hate win. Feminist academics and educators, add your names here: docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1F...
docs.google.com
Not In Our Name: Feminist Academics and Educators Speak Out Against Transphobia
We call on all trans-inclusive feminist academics and educators to sign this statement: ‘Not In Our Name’ We are non-trans feminist academics and educators. We write in support of trans rights, tran...
132
Dr Anna Nelson @annanelson95.bsky.social · 11/05/2025
I long for a Labour Party that instead recognises that what we need to do is to end the *exploitation* of care labourers both from the UK and from abroad, to recognise the invaluable contribution they make to our communities rather than to dismiss their work as ‘lower skilled’.
BBC breaking news headline notification stating: ‘Home secretary tells BBC "time to end" care worker recruitment from abroad as lower-skilled workers face visa crackdown - follow live’
000
Dr Anna Nelson @annanelson95.bsky.social · 09/05/2025
Exciting things happening at our wonderful little fringe 👏🏻
020
Dr Anna Nelson @annanelson95.bsky.social · 08/05/2025
So pleased to see this brilliant project (for which I can take absolutely no credit!) get the recognition it deserves 👏🏻
000
Dr Anna Nelson @annanelson95.bsky.social · 08/05/2025
I’m indescribably glad that she was acquitted, but it’s heartbreaking by that she had to go through this ordeal in the first place. Abortion is healthcare, and there is no role for the criminal law. #FullDecrimNow www.bbc.com/news/article...
bbc.com
Woman accused of illegal abortion cleared by jury
Nicola Packer took abortion medicine at home when she was about 26 weeks pregnant, her trial heard.
010
Reposted by Dr Anna Nelson
Máiréad Enright @maireadenright.bsky.social · 02/05/2025
*Stares in legal academic*.
2251
Reposted by Dr Anna Nelson
The BMA @bma.org.uk · 29/04/2025
Attendees at the #RDconf last Saturday voted on an emergency motion to show their opposition to the Supreme Court ruling on the definition of a woman. Read the motion below 👇 BMA-wide policy is set at the Annual Representative Meeting (ARM) in June 2025.
Emergency motion on the Supreme Court ruling defining the term 'woman' from RDC conference 2025
33897367
Dr Anna Nelson @annanelson95.bsky.social · 01/05/2025
This @britishacademy.bsky.social / @leverhulme.ac.uk project on #doulas officially starts today: looking forward to getting past the ethics approval stage and on to the fun bits! @bevclough.bsky.social
071
Dr Anna Nelson @annanelson95.bsky.social · 30/04/2025
Our trans and non-binary colleagues, students, friends and siblings enrich our universities, our feminism and our lives in immeasurable and untold ways. We must not let hate win. Feminist academics and educators, add your names here: docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1F...
docs.google.com
Not In Our Name: Feminist Academics and Educators Speak Out Against Transphobia
We call on all trans-inclusive feminist academics and educators to sign this statement: ‘Not In Our Name’ We are non-trans feminist academics and educators. We write in support of trans rights, tran...
132