Maia Thornton

Maia Thornton serves as a Senior Research Fellow at the Centre for Appearance Research, University of the West of England (UWE Bristol), focusing on the psychosocial impact of visible differences and evidence-based intervention development for affected individuals and families.

Her core research interests encompass:

• Visible difference and body image psychology
• Health psychology interventions for appearance-affecting conditions
• ACT-based therapy for intimacy/relationships
• Psychosocial support systems for parents of children with visible differences
• Qualitative and mixed-methods research methodologies

Thornton actively collaborates with charities, health professionals, and lived-experience communities, prioritizing public involvement in research design. Her clinical background includes work in eating disorders, adolescent mental health, and adult community services, with prior research on variations of sex development at Bristol Royal Hospital and body appreciation in breast cancer survivors.