London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE)United Kingdom
Dr Rachel O’Neill is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Media and Communications at the London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE). Her research focuses on gender and sexuality, media and cultural studies, and qualitative methods. She holds a PhD in Gender and Cultural Studies from King’s College London and previously served as a Research Fellow in Sociology at the University of Warwick. Academic Role: Assistant Professor, LSE Department of Media and Communications Research Expertise: Gender studies, media ethnography, feminist theory, wellness industry critique, and financial feminism Her work examines intersections of gender, capitalism, and cultural practices. Key publications include Seduction: Men, Masculinity and Mediated Intimacy (2018) and articles on wellness influencers, financial feminism, and masculinity studies. Her research often critiques patriarchal structures and neoliberal logics in contemporary society.
Jakob Klein is a faculty member in the Department of Anthropology and Sociology at SOAS University of London. His research focuses on the anthropology of food, with emphasis on Chinese and Asian culinary cultures, ethical consumption, heritage politics, and the interplay between state policies and market forces in shaping food systems. Klein's work explores themes such as: Culinary modernity and identity in China State-led food security initiatives (e.g., potato promotion) Heritage commodification of regional foods Buddhist vegetarianism and changing meat consumption Alternative food movements in postsocialist contexts His publications demonstrate consistent focus on: Cultural adaptation of global food trends Political economy of dietary change Ethnographic analysis of food practices across urban/rural divides He has supervised doctoral research on food tourism in Istria, gastronomic reinvention in Bulgaria, and cultural capital in Chinese leisure industries.
Susan Holmes is Professor at the School of Media, Language and Communication Studies at the University of East Anglia (UEA), where she joined as Reader in Television in 2007 and was appointed to Professor in 2018. She is an active member of several research groups including Media Equality, Film, Television and Media, Gender and Its Intersections Steering Committee, and HealthUEA. Her work spans television studies, celebrity culture, and feminist approaches to eating disorders. Professor Holmes received her academic training at the University of Sussex (BA in English and Media Studies), followed by an MA in Film from the University of Southampton, and completed her PhD on British film and television in the 1950s at the same institution. Prior to joining UEA, she taught Media and Cultural Studies at the Southampton Institute (now Southampton Solent University) and television and film at the University of Kent. Her research focuses on several interconnected areas that challenge traditional disciplinary boundaries. In television studies, she has made significant contributions to understanding British television history, particularly through her books 'British TV and Film in the 1950s' and 'Entertaining TV: the BBC and Popular Programme Culture in the 1950s,' where she challenges canonical ideas about early BBC television. Her work on reality TV examines historical development, generic labeling, and celebrity. Since 2014, she has conducted important empirical research on feminist approaches to eating disorders, analyzing media representations and working directly with people with lived experience. A key focus of this research examines how feminist approaches are neglected in contemporary eating disorder treatment, with implications for both clinical practice and cultural understanding. She co-founded the influential Celebrity Studies journal in 2010 and edited it for the first eight years of its publication. Analysis of Professor Holmes' recent publications reveals a clear trajectory where her expertise in media and television studies converges with her feminist scholarship on eating disorders. Her most recent work (2023-2025) increasingly focuses on cross-cultural applications of feminist approaches to eating disorders (including work in China), the use of innovative methodologies like Photovoice, and examinations of therapeutic alliance in treatment settings. Simultaneously, she continues to analyze contemporary media representations, particularly focusing on motherhood, true crime television, and reality TV through feminist lenses. This dual focus demonstrates how media representations shape cultural understandings of both celebrity and health conditions. Professor Holmes' significant contributions to academia have been recognized with several prestigious awards: Senior Fellowship from Advance HE (2024) UEA engagement award (2017) ALPSP award nomination for Celebrity Studies as best new journal (2011) She currently runs the Feminist Media Studies research cluster at UEA and is actively supervising postgraduate research in areas including popular television, television/film history, British TV history, stardom/celebrity, and feminist approaches to eating disorders. Her current major research project is the 'ALLIANCE study' (2024-2026), funded by the National Institute for Health and Care Research, which aims to develop practice and policy recommendations to support effective therapeutic alliance in inpatient treatment for eating disorders. This builds on her earlier British Academy-funded research on 'Entertaining Television: British TV, the BBC and Popular Programme Culture in the 1950s' (2007-2008). Professor Holmes plays a significant role in the academic community through her editorial work, serving on the boards of journals including Archives of Psychology, Big Data & Society, and Critical Studies in Television, and previously as co-founder and editor of Celebrity Studies. She has also been active in media engagement, contributing expert commentary on topics ranging from Netflix's portrayal of eating disorders to Celebrity Big Brother.
Professor Emma Rich is affiliated with the University of Bath as a Professor of Physical Activity and Health Pedagogy and Director of the SPHERE Research Centre (Centre for Sport, Physical Activity and Health Equality). Her work bridges sociology and education , focusing on intersections between digital health technologies , body politics , and health inequities in educational and sport contexts. University: University of Bath Role: Professor & Research Centre Director Research Interests : Emma’s expertise spans critical pedagogy , digital health studies , obesity policy critique , and gendered body narratives . She pioneers feminist new materialist approaches to analyze how digital platforms shape health identities and practices among youth. Recent Publications examine digital health’s impact on body dissatisfaction , teacher mind maps , and spatial dynamics in digitized health education. These works emphasize datafication and quantified self trends in adolescent health behaviors. Awards & Recognition : Elected Fellow of the Academy of Social Sciences (2022) Nominated for FSHI Book Prize (2024) Bristol Bath Healthcare Research Impact Award (2019) Leadership & Collaborations : She leads international projects like the Wellcome Trust-funded Digital Health Generation and DigiHealthPE (UNA Europa), collaborating with institutions across the UK, Australia, and New Zealand. Her work integrates UN Sustainable Development Goals , particularly those addressing health equity and digital inclusion .
Steve Loughnan is a Professor of Psychology at the University of Edinburgh's School of Philosophy, Psychology and Language Sciences. His research focuses on dehumanization, objectification, and human-animal relations, exploring how societal and psychological factors influence moral judgments and behaviors. He teaches undergraduate courses on social psychology, experimental/applied social psychology, and social class, and supervises PhD students in related fields. Research interests include: Dehumanization of social and ethnic outgroups Psychological impacts of objectification on women and marginalized groups Moral psychology of meat consumption and animal treatment Effects of economic inequality on societal attitudes Anthropomorphism in human-AI and human-pet relationships His publications analyze topics like the psychological mechanisms behind meat consumption paradoxes, the role of dehumanization in conflict scenarios, and the ethical implications of AI romance. He has received no explicitly listed awards but has been widely cited in social psychology domains. Teaching includes year-long programs on social psychology principles, experimental research methods, and social class analysis. Office hours are held weekly to support students. His work bridges theoretical social psychology with applied issues in global inequality, environmental ethics, and veterinary mental health.
Dr. Kathryn Lester is an Associate Professor in Developmental Psychology at the University of Sussex's School of Psychology. She leads internationally recognized research on childhood anxiety, focusing on intergenerational transmission, cognitive biases, and school mental health interventions. Her work includes developing evidence-based programs for emotionally-based school avoidance and evaluating whole-school approaches to mental health. She holds leadership roles in Sussex’s senior management team, including Subject Group Lead for Developmental Psychology and Deputy Director for Postgraduate Research. She co-leads the Sussex Foundation Partnership Trust School Mental Health Research Team Clinic and has secured funding from the National Institute for Health Research, ESRC, and The National Lottery Community Fund. Her academic journey includes a D.Phil. in Psychiatry from the University of Oxford (2008) and postdoctoral research at the University of Sussex and King’s College London. Key research interests include anxiety prevention, school-based interventions, and the impact of parenting behaviors on child mental health. She has collaborated with organizations like the Sussex Wildlife Trust and provided consultancy for educational content development, such as children’s book series on emotions and ITV’s ‘Planet Child’ series. Her research spans mixed-methods approaches, including participatory methods with children and caregivers. Notable projects include NIHR-funded studies on digital mental health toolkits and Kavli Trust-funded interventions to reduce anxiety transmission from parents to children. She actively engages in knowledge exchange and mentoring early-career researchers.
Dr. Petya Eckler is a Senior Lecturer in Journalism, Media and Communication at the University of Strathclyde, part of the Faculty of Humanities & Social Sciences. Her research focuses on health communication through social media, particularly examining how young people's body image and mental health are influenced by social media use. She leads the Working Group on Body Image and Eating Disorders, fostering collaboration between academics, clinicians, and advocacy groups. Dr. Eckler holds a PhD in Electronic Word of Mouth from the University of Missouri and has contributed to advisory groups like the Scottish Government’s Healthy Body Image Advisory Group. She has received awards including the Runner-up Prize for Outstanding Impact on Society (2020) and multiple Scottish Student Journalism Awards. Her work spans topics such as vaccination hesitancy, social media addiction, and crisis communication. She teaches courses in journalism, strategic communication, and media and health. Dr. Eckler actively engages in public outreach through media talks, TEDx presentations, and collaborative projects like the #HealthySocialMedia initiative. She supervises PhD students exploring themes like the 'ideal beach body,' influencer identity, and K-pop fandom dynamics. Key research projects include the Health Literacy in Crisis project (Newton Funds, 2017–2018) addressing gender-based violence among Syrian refugees. Her interdisciplinary collaborations extend to departments like Marketing and Psychology, reflecting her commitment to addressing complex societal issues through media and health studies.
Christopher Chambers is Professor of Cognitive Neuroscience at Cardiff University's School of Psychology. His research spans open science reform, cognitive neuroscience, and translational applications in behavior change. He founded numerous initiatives including Registered Reports, the UK Reproducibility Network (UKRN), and the Royal Society Replications initiative, while chairing the Registered Reports Committee at the Center for Open Science. Chambers' research focuses on: 1) Developing and promoting open research practices to enhance scientific reliability; 2) Investigating cognitive control mechanisms using brain stimulation (TMS, TES) and neuroimaging (fMRI, MEG); and 3) Translational applications in obesity and behavior change through response inhibition training paradigms. His work bridges cognitive neuroscience with metascience reform. His publications demonstrate strong trends in open science methodology (Registered Reports, reproducibility frameworks) and cognitive-behavioral interventions, particularly examining how inhibitory control training affects food valuation and eating behaviors. Recent work emphasizes robustness verification and implementation of open science practices across disciplines. Awards include: 2018 British Psychological Society Book Award for 'The Seven Deadly Sins of Psychology' 2018 PROSE Award from Association of American Publishers He leads major grants including a €1.99M ERC Consolidator Grant on cognitive control training and a £188k Arnold Foundation grant on Registered Reports. Chambers founded the Insciout research group (science communication) and UK Evidence Information Service (science-policy interface), and currently advises the Peer Community in Registered Reports.
Dr. Claire Williams is an Associate Professor in Psychology at Swansea University's School of Medicine, Health and Life Science. She specializes in applied neuropsychology and clinical research, particularly in traumatic brain injury (TBI), emotional functioning post-injury, and neurobehavioral assessment tools like the St Andrew’s-Swansea Neurobehavioural Outcome Scale (SASNOS). Her work spans interdisciplinary collaboration, public engagement, and improving healthcare accessibility. Her research interests include TBI's neurobehavioral legacies, decision-making in criminal justice for TBI defendants, and emotional eating mechanisms. She has developed the SASNOS, a multi-lingual tool aiding rehabilitation planning, and explored bilingualism's role in cognitive function among Welsh speakers. Key grants include projects on mock juror evaluations of TBI defendants (£30,000) and collaborative partnerships in neurorehabilitation (£30,416.57). She co-founded the Annual Brain Injury Conference and serves on the South Wales Acquired Brain Injury Forum. Dr. Williams supervises PhD students in TBI, forensic psychology, and neuropsychological assessments. She teaches modules on neuropsychology, forensic psychology, and research ethics, ensuring students achieve Graduate Basis for Chartership with the British Psychological Society.
Dr. Debra Ferreday is a Senior Lecturer in Sociology at Lancaster University, affiliated with the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences (FASS). She specializes in intersectional feminist cultural theory, examining the interplay between personal experiences and political power structures within media and popular culture. Her research explores themes of embodiment, power, and intimacy, particularly through projects like Cannibal Cultures and The Maligned Nineties Woman , which analyze contemporary cultural narratives and celebrity trauma. As MA Convenor for Gender Studies, she teaches across Media and Cultural Studies, focusing on feminist theory, queer cultures, and digital media. Her latest work includes co-editing New Queer Television: From Marginalization to Mainstreamification (2025) and contributing to Postdigital Intimacies and the Networked Public-Private (2025). Ferreday has advised over 8 PhD students, supervising interdisciplinary projects in Health, Medicine, Music, and Theatre Studies. She is a former Doctoral Director for Gender Studies and Media programs, emphasizing collaborative research and ethical methodologies. Ferreday’s research spans queer representation, celebrity studies, and critical mental health, with articles in journals like Queer Studies in Media & Popular Culture and Feminist Theory . She actively participates in conferences and editorial boards, including roles with Body and Society and Home Cultures . Her work bridges academic and activist spaces, addressing urgent cultural issues like trauma, digital activism, and media ethics.
Dr. Siobhan Magee is a Lecturer in Social Anthropology at the University of Edinburgh's School of Social and Political Science. She holds a PhD from Edinburgh and has held postdoctoral positions at the Institute for Advanced Studies in the Humanities and the Rijksuniversiteit Groningen. Her research focuses on kinship, marriage, gender, and material culture, with fieldwork conducted in Poland, the UK, and the US. She is currently completing a book on marriage in the US and exploring topics like children's biographies, philanthropy in higher education, and sun protection in Scotland. Teaching responsibilities include courses on the Anthropology of Sex and Reproduction, Kinship, and Ethnographies of the US. She coordinates the Kinship Hub and supervises undergraduate and postgraduate dissertations on themes like transnational relationships and inclusive education. Dr. Magee is a Fellow of the Higher Education Academy and has published extensively on topics ranging from Polish fur trade dynamics to graphic memoirs and legal marriage frameworks. Education: PhD, MSc, and BA in Social Anthropology from the University of Edinburgh. Research Themes: Kinship and relatedness, gender/sexuality, material culture, US political anthropology, and children's narratives. Current Projects: Philanthropy in universities, sun protection policies, and children's biographical literature. Her work bridges intimate relationships and broader socio-political contexts, emphasizing ethical and historical dimensions. She has contributed to academic journals like Cultural Anthropology and Current Anthropology , and her research has been featured in media including BBC Radio 4.
Dr. Emily Beadle is a Lecturer in Health Psychology at the University of Hertfordshire, affiliated with the Department of Psychology, Sport and Geography, Health Research Methods Unit, and Centre for Health Services and Clinical Research within the School of Life and Medical Sciences. Her research focuses on kidney health inequalities, body compassion's role in health behaviors (e.g., exercise and eating), and moral injury among healthcare workers. She has supervised undergraduate and postgraduate projects in Health Psychology. Education: PhD in Psychology (Body Shame, Body Compassion and Physical Activity, 2020) and MSc in Research Methods in Psychology (2015), both from the University of Hertfordshire. Research Projects: "Mitigating poor cultural adaptation as a barrier to South Asian people consenting to take part in kidney research in the UK" (NHS-funded, 2024-2025) "Experiences of moral injury in healthcare workers: a rapid systematic review of qualitative studies" (2021-2023) "CORePa: UK Long COVID Research Partnership" (2021-2022) Key Collaborations: Worked with NHS East of England and cross-disciplinary teams on projects addressing healthcare worker well-being and kidney health disparities. Labs/Teams: Active in the Health Research Methods Unit and Centre for Health Services and Clinical Research, contributing to interdisciplinary research initiatives.
Professor Kate Tchanturia is a leading academic at King's College London , affiliated with the Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology & Neuroscience and serving as a Professor in the Department of Psychological Medicine . She is a Consultant Clinical Psychologist at the South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust and holds visiting professor roles at Ilia State University (Georgia) and Tbilisi State Medical University. Her work bridges clinical practice, research, and education in eating disorders and autism. Doctor of Clinical Psychology, Tbilisi State University (1998) PhD in Experimental Psychology, Tbilisi Academy of Sciences (1989) MSc in Psychology, Tbilisi State University (1982) Her research focuses on neuropsychological, cognitive, and emotional aspects of eating disorders , particularly in women and autistic individuals. She explores treatment innovations, cultural adaptations, and recovery trajectories through translational studies. Recent projects include the PEACE Pathway for autism-inclusive care and SOOTH-ED with sensory technology. Her 15+ recent articles highlight collaborations in autism and eating disorder comorbidity , cognitive remediation therapy , and neuroimaging . Key awards include the National Award of Georgia , President of the Eating Disorders Research Society , and Academia Europaea membership . She mentors PhD students and supervises clinical trainees.
Daniel Madigan is a Professor of Sport and Health Psychology at York St John University, serving as Research Lead for the School of Science, Technology and Health. With a PhD from the University of Kent, his work investigates burnout across sports, education, and healthcare, including its predictors, consequences, and prevention strategies. He also explores perfectionism in achievement contexts and has secured funding from organizations like the World Anti-Doping Agency and Swedish Research Council. Key research areas: Burnout mechanisms, perfectionism dynamics, doping ethics Active in postgraduate supervision at PhD and MSc levels Recipient of multiple international research grants Published over 20 studies in top journals (Psychology of Sport and Exercise, European Journal of Sport Science, etc.) His research group Motivation, Performance, and Wellbeing (MPaW) drives cross-disciplinary analysis of mental health in high-performance environments. Current work includes the Perfectionistic Climate Questionnaire-Sport (PCQ-S) validation and longitudinal studies on athlete burnout. He actively welcomes postgraduate research collaborations.
Dr. Donna Jessop is an Associate Professor in Health Psychology at the School of Psychology, University of Sussex. She holds a BA in Human Sciences from the University of Oxford, an MSc in Social and Applied Psychology, and a PhD in Psychology from the University of Kent. Her research focuses on applying psychological theories to promote healthy behaviors, environmental sustainability, and well-being. Key areas include self-affirmation interventions, positive psychology and sleep relationships, and the impact of financial stress on students. She has secured grants from organizations like the ESRC and the British Academy, and consulted for Mitie on workplace well-being programs. Her teaching includes module leadership in Health Psychology and workshops on applying psychology to everyday problems. Research grants include projects on food waste recycling (North London Waste Authority, 2015–2016), self-affirmation in health promotion (ESRC, 2012–2014), and postnatal mental health (British Academy, 2007–2008). Dr. Jessop’s over 40 publications span behavioral health, environmental psychology, and student well-being, with recent work examining part-time work’s impact on university applications and emotion regulation’s role in sleep quality. She advises students through scheduled drop-ins and maintains an active research program bridging theory and real-world applications.
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