Mount Royal University continues to respond to a cyber incident affecting university systems and services. Technical teams and external experts are actively investigating and working on recovery. Links on mtroyal.ca may not work. Visit our updates page for the latest information.

Faculty & Staff

Deepali Y. Upadhyaya (she/her), PhD, RM, CNM

Deepa Upadhyaya

Academic Title: Professor
Administrative Title: Academic Director of Midwifery

Office: Y251
Email: dyupadhyaya@mtroyal.ca
Phone: 403.440.6021

Education

PhD, University of Calgary, Community Health Sciences (Medical Education)
MS, Oregon Health Sciences University (Nurse-Midwifery)
BSN, Metropolitan State University (Nursing)
BA, St. Olaf College (Political Science and Philosophy)

I have been privileged to work in perinatal and child health, as well as in the education of healthcare providers, across various regions globally. In addition to my faculty role at Mount Royal University, I continue to practice as a Registered Midwife and serve as the Co-Editor for the Canadian Journal for Midwifery Research and Practice.


Areas of Instruction

  • Cultures and Communities
  • Perinatal Complications and Consultations
  • Neonatal and Perinatal Pathology
  • Physiologic Perinatal and Neonatal Care


Areas of Scholarships

  • Midwifery preceptorship and experiential curriculum
  • Perinatal and newborn care and education of health care providers in Low and Middle-Income Countries
  • Cultivating Cultural Humility in Midwifery Learners

 

Teaching Pattern

Teaching-Scholarship-Service

 

Selected Publications

Bourret, K., Upadhyaya, D., Wiens, A., Surkan, L., Wiens, A. (2026). “We’re trying really hard, but I don’t think we’re getting it right”: Understanding the role of the Midwives’ Association and midwifery in the province of Alberta, Canada: A single case study. Canadian Journal of Midwifery Research and Practice, 25(1), https://www.cjmrp.com/index.php/cjmrp/article/view/209

Papageorghiou, A. T., Kihara, A. B., Dunkley-Bent, J., Ahsan, S., Begum, F., Vidarte, M. F. E., ... & Weeks, A. (2025). New guidelines for the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of postpartum haemorrhage: ending the geography of risk. The Lancet Global Health, 13(11), e1796-e1798.

Upadhyaya, D. (2025). Midwifery mentorship in Canada. In E. Jefford & L. Ebert (Eds.), Global Midwifery: Building Capacity Through Connection. Taylor & Francis

Bolton, T., Upadhyaya, D., Pichette, E., Rankin, J. (2024). Burnout is real: A SWOT analysis of midwives’ perspectives on providing midwifery care in Alberta, Canada. Canadian Journal of Midwifery Research and Practice, 23l(1), 1-10. https://cjmrp.com/index.php/cjmrp/article/view/10/37

Upadhyaya, D., Beran, T., Maruschak-Love, S., Clancy, T., & Oddone Paolucci, E. (2022). Benefits, rewards, support, and commitment: A survey of midwifery preceptors in undergraduate education in Canada. Canadian Journal of Midwifery Research and Practice, 21(1), 48-62. https://www.cjmrp.com/index.php/cjmrp/article/view/196/227

Upadhyaya, D., Maruschak-Love, Beran, T., Clancy, T., Oddone Paolucci, E. (2021). Facilitators and barriers for clinical preceptors in midwifery education: A scoping review of the published research. Canadian Journal of Midwifery Research and Practice, 20(3), 37-55. https://cjmrp.com/index.php/cjmrp/article/view/36

Upadhyaya, D. (2020). Birth in the time of destruction. Canadian Journal of Midwifery Research and Practice 19(2). 31-33.

 

 

Selected Presentations

Bolton, T., Upadhyaya, D., Pichette, E., Rankin, J. (2026). Barefoot midwife to bedside medwife: Midwives’ pathways to education and practice in Alberta [Conference Session]. The 34th International Confederation of Midwives Triennial Congress, Lisbon, Portugal

Upadhyaya, D., Lalonde, M., Totton, J., & Scrymgeour, C. (2026). Advancing midwifery education at Mount Royal University: Innovations in simulation, leadership, and student-centred learning [Poster Presentation]. The 34th International Confederation of Midwives Triennial Congress, Lisbon, Portugal

Upadhyaya, D. (2025). (Invited). Promoting physiologic birth: Preparation, positioning, and pushing practices that work [Conference Session]. Current Obstetrical Management Seminars (COMS), University of Calgary, Cumming School of Medicine, Calgary, Alberta, Canada

Upadhyaya, D. (2024). (Invited). The ALARM international program in Ghana, Africa. McMaster Midwifery Research Centre Speaker Series, Online, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada

Upadhyaya, D., Beran, Haines-Saah, R., T., Clancy, T., Beran, T., & Oddone Paolucci, E. (2023). The Precepting Dilemma: A reflexive thematic analysis study of midwifery preceptors in undergraduate education in Canada [Poster Presentation]. The 33rd International Confederation of Midwives Triennial Congress, Bali, Indonesia

Bourret, K., Mattison, C., & Upadhyaya, D. (2022). Core competencies for midwifery association strengthening [Conference Session]. Canadian Association of Midwives – Annual Conference, Online, Canada

Upadhyaya, D., Beran, T., Maruschak-Love, S., Clancy, T., & Oddone Paolucci, E. (2021). Facilitators and barriers for midwifery preceptors in Canadian undergraduate Education – A national survey [Conference Session]. Canadian Association for Association for Midwifery Education – Annual Symposium, Online, Canada

Upadhyaya, D. (2017). Essential Components of an Indigenous-Informed Curriculum for Midwifery Education in Alberta [Symposium Session]. Canadian Association for Midwifery Education – Annual Symposium, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada

Jacoby, S. & Upadhyaya, D., Duran-Snell., Booke, J., Landsiedel, M., McLellan, H., Nordstrom, P., Pryma, P., Quance, M., Salyers, V., Underwood, M., McDonald, M. (2015) Senior Midwives Tutor Training Program to Further United Nations Millennium Development Goal #4 [Conference Session]. Canadian Association of Midwives – Annual Conference & Exhibit, Montreal, Quebec, Canada

 

Relevant Community Service

  • Americas Regional Board Member for the International Confederation of Midwives
  • Director at Large - Canadian Association for Midwifery Education
  • Instructor - Acute Care of At-Risk Newborn, Advances in Labour and Risk Management (SOGC),Fetal Health Surveillance, Midwifery Emergency Skills (AOM/CAM), Neonatal Resuscitation (CPS)