Victoria Clarke

Victoria Clarke is an Associate Professor in the Health and Social Sciences school at the University of the West of England, Bristol, where she has been employed since 2003. She holds a PhD and is widely recognized for her work in qualitative research methods, particularly thematic analysis, which she has developed collaboratively with Professor Virginia Braun. Her research focuses on gender and sexuality, appearance and embodiment, family and relationships.

Her educational background includes:

• Postgraduate Certificate of Education (Higher Education) from University of the West of England, Bristol (2003-2004)
• PhD in Women's Studies/Psychology from Loughborough University (1997-2002)
• BSc in Psychology from Brunel University London (1993-1997)

Professor Clarke's research interests center on qualitative methodologies, particularly thematic analysis which she has helped shape through her award-winning publications. She has made significant contributions to gender studies, with a focus on LGBTQ+ experiences, body image, and family dynamics. Her work often employs innovative qualitative methods such as story completion to explore sensitive topics around sexuality, embodiment, and social relationships. She is particularly known for her collaborative work with Virginia Braun on thematic analysis methodology.

Her recent publications demonstrate a continued focus on advancing qualitative research methods while applying these approaches to important social issues. There's a clear trend toward methodological refinement, with numerous publications addressing best practices in thematic analysis and qualitative research reporting. Simultaneously, she maintains strong engagement with substantive research areas including LGBTQ+ experiences, mental health, embodiment, and gender studies. Her work increasingly examines the intersection of methodology and substantive topics, particularly in health contexts.

Professor Clarke has received several prestigious awards for her scholarly contributions:

• British Psychological Society 2022 President's Award
• British Psychological Society 2022 Book Award
• Association of Women in Psychology Distinguished Publication Award (2014)
• British Psychological Society Book Award (Textbook) (2013)
• American Psychological Association Division 44 Award for Best Book in Lesbian, Gay, and/or Bisexual Psychology (2007)

Throughout her career at UWE Bristol, Professor Clarke has provided extensive supervision for undergraduate, master's, and doctoral students. Her research has been supported by various funding sources, including a Lord Chancellor's Department funded project on money management and marital commitment in new couples during her time at the University of Exeter. She has developed and led numerous research projects exploring gender, sexuality, and qualitative methodologies, often collaborating with interdisciplinary teams across psychology, health sciences, and social work.

Professor Clarke leads a productive research laboratory focused on qualitative methodologies and their application to social and health psychology questions. Her lab collaborates with researchers across the UK and internationally, particularly with Virginia Braun at the University of Auckland. The lab is known for advancing story completion methodologies and reflexive thematic analysis, with active projects examining LGBTQ+ experiences, mental health, embodiment, and methodological innovation in qualitative research.