Dr Matthew Peacock

Biography

I completed my Masters degrees and PhD at the University of Bath, specialising in Qualitative Methods, the Psychology of Creativity and Public Understanding of science, and now spend much of my time working on food-related research projects at the University of Surrey’s Food, Consumer Behaviour and Health Research Centre. I was also heavily involved with the recent Departmental Research Audit, looking for ways to improve the way research in the department works.  

The remainder of my time is currently devoted to investigating creative processes in an interdisciplinary context.  These various projects are connected more by the application of qualitative interviewing methods than any overrarching theoretical framework.

Research Interests

• The Psychology of Creative Processes
• Conflict, Cooperation and research cultures in the Higher Education workplace
• Food choice, food supplements and food allergies
• The Culture and Public Understanding of Science

Although trained in both qualitative and quantitative research methods, I tend to focus on the former.  I have conducted over 150 qualitative interviews and am also experienced in discourse analysis, grounded theory, focus group methodology and use of think-aloud protocols.

I have presented my research in various settings and many diverse contexts, including as comedy at Guildford's branch of Bright Club, where academics perform their research in the form of stand-up.

Research Collaborations

• FLABEL project with EUFIC and various European universities(www.eufic.org)
• PlantLIBRA with a range of international partners
• Food Allergy Study for the Food Standards Authority
• The Creativity Observatory, an interdisciplinary project funded by the EPSRC
• Food Labelling review for the Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations
• Conflict and Cooperation in Higher Education Project with Telic Systems Research/Goal Management Systems (http://www.telic-systems-research.org))