Dr Matthew Peacock

My first degree was in English Literature followed by a conversion degree in Psychology, leading to MScs in Research Methods and Applied Social Psychology and eventually a PhD focused on the Psychology of creative processes.  I have since been building experience in research work, specialising in qualitative research methods and investigating topics as diverse as Food Labelling, Responsible Research and Innovation, ethics in social care, adoption of mobile health devices and marine plastic pollution.  

My current focus is on collaborating with researchers in Brazil to ensure the needs and voices of marginalised communities in developing nations who are at risk from plastic pollution are reflected in the plastic governance that emerges in the wake of the UN Global Plastics Treaty negotiations.  To that endl I have been serving as Lead Researcher on the project “Providing climate justice for marginalised groups in the implementation of the UN Global Plastics Treaty in Brazil”, which conducted successful workshops in both the UK and Brazil, bringing together diverse stakeholders including members of the government and NGO’s with representatives of marginalised communities.  

I am currently working on translating these findings into an online learning module aimed at raising awareness of the global impacts of plastic related behaviours and policy making on marginalised communities across the world.  

Latest Research outputs

Peacock, M., Ghilardi-Lopes, N. P., Turra, A., Rech, T. F., Kawabe, L. A., Gatersleben, B., & Wyles, K. J. (2025). The future of citizen science for marine litter research: What are the benefits to be realised and the challenges to be overcome?. Marine pollution bulletin, 117914. 

Peacock, M., Winton, S. and Malcolm, R. (2025). Video presentation:  Introduction to plastic pollution and climate change nexus – International Perspectives.  Presented at stakeholder workshop 17th June, 2025 and featured on Governing Plastics Network website: Providing climate justice for marginalised groups in the implementation of the UN Global Plastics Treaty in Brazil | University of Surrey