Sharon Haywood

Sharon Haywood is a Research Associate at the University of the West of England, affiliated with the HAS - Allied Health Professions department. She is part of the Dove Self-Esteem Project, UNICEF, Girl Effect, and YouTube/Google collaborations.

• Education: BSc in Psychology (Hons) from the University of Toronto, MSc in Health Psychology (Distinction) from Aston University
• Current Role: Researcher on body image interventions, social media, weight stigma, and adolescent health
• Global Focus: Work in low- and middle-income countries (Indonesia, Argentina, Mexico)
• Academic Pursuit: Pursuing a DPhil at UWE Bristol (as of February 2025)

Sharon’s research centers on body image interventions, health psychology, and social media’s role in mental health, particularly targeting adolescent girls. Her work includes mixed-methods studies, randomized controlled trials, and culturally adapted interventions in Indonesia, Argentina, and Mexico.

Recent projects involve digital interventions (e.g., Roblox video game), social media-based programs, and influencer-driven body image support. She co-facilitated focus groups in Mexico City and validated psychological measures for Indonesian populations.

Sharon founded AnyBody Argentina (2011), leading national studies on clothing size availability and its public health implications. She presented findings in the Argentine Senate and Congress to combat sizeism in the fashion industry.

• Labs & Collaborations: Dove Self-Esteem Project, UNICEF, Girl Effect, University of Buenos Aires