Sophie Zadeh

Sophie Zadeh is a Professor of Family Psychology at the University of Sussex, School of Psychology. She joined in March 2024 as a Reader, previously serving as an Associate Professor at UCL’s Thomas Coram Research Unit. She holds a PhD from the University of Cambridge’s Centre for Family Research. Her research focuses on family diversity, particularly donor-assisted conception (e.g., sperm/egg donation, surrogacy), and its impacts on child and family dynamics. Her work has influenced UK and international policies, including surrogacy law reforms and bioethics regulations. She leads projects funded by the ESRC and Wellcome Trust, collaborating with organizations like the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority (HFEA).

Her key research interests include donor-conceived adults’ experiences, LGBTQ+ fertility, and trans-parent families. She employs qualitative and mixed-methods approaches. Notable grants include an ESRC New Investigator Award (2020–2024) and Wellcome Trust funding (2015–2016). She advises policy bodies and serves on the ESRC Peer Review College and a University of Cambridge advisory board on mental health for women/non-binary students.

Her recent publications (2021–2025) analyze donor-conceived adults’ identity development, psychological well-being, and societal impacts of assisted reproduction. She advocates for inclusive reproductive healthcare policies and emphasizes children’s perspectives in family research.