Ella Guest

Ella Guest is a VTCTF Foundation Senior Research Fellow at the Centre for Appearance Research (CAR) within the Faculty of Health and Applied Sciences (HAS) at the University of the West of England (UWE Bristol). She is a Chartered Psychologist (BPS) and HCPC-registered Health Psychologist specializing in the psychosocial impact of appearance-altering conditions. Her research focuses on positive adjustment strategies, stigma reduction, and intervention development for populations affected by conditions like eczema, psoriasis, and congenital melanocytic nevi (CMN).

Ella holds a BSc in Psychology, an MSc in Health Psychology, and a Professional Doctorate in Health Psychology. Her work integrates visual research methods and explores the role of social media in shaping body image and appearance-related stigma. She leads the VTCT Foundation Programme of Research, aiming to improve psychosocial support for individuals and families facing appearance-altering challenges.

• Key Research Themes:
  • Positive body image promotion
  • Skin condition psychosocial impacts
  • Intervention design and evaluation
  • Appearance diversity advocacy
• Notable Projects:
  • Development of CARe Burn Scales (outcome measures for burn patients)
  • Pilot evaluation of the Expand Your Horizon online program
  • Exploration of AI risks in bioterrorism contexts

Ella frequently collaborates with clinical partners and patient organizations to translate research into practical support tools. Her systematic reviews and intervention studies have informed clinical guidelines for burn care and post-cancer reconstruction decision-making.