Phoebe Gray

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Role:

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Position:
Research Fellow
Department:
HAS - Health and Social SciencesSchool of Social Sciences
Email:
Phoebe.Gray@uwe.ac.uk

About me

I am a Research Fellow at the Centre for Appearance Research, working with Dr Helena Lewis-Smith on a project exploring engagement with physical activity after breast cancer, funded by a Bristol and Weston Hospitals Charity Legacy Grant (2026-2028). The project aims to map the barriers and facilitators to physical activity engagement among breast cancer survivors across individual, professional, organisational, and systems levels, to identify the most tractable and impactful focus for a subsequent, larger grant application.

My research background focuses on how psychosocial aspects of physical activity environments might shape women’s body image and their experiences of physical activity. I completed my PhD at the University of Sussex (2022-2026), where my research explored how personal trainers might be able to promote positive body image amongst their women clients. I am a mixed-methods researcher, with experience in both quantitative and qualitative methods, including using interviews, diaries and observation as data collection techniques and using creative non-fiction to present research findings.
 
Alongside my work at UWE, I also work as a personal trainer and Pilates instructor. I am particularly interested in translating research into practice in exercise settings, and have delivered multiple evidence-based body image workshops to exercisers and exercise professionals.

Area of expertise

body image; sport and exercise psychology; sociocultural influences; qualitative methods

Publications

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