Sophia Quirke-McFarlane

I am a 1st year PhD student and Trainee Health Psychologist here at the University of Surrey. I plan to use both qualitative and quantitative research methods to explore the role of social support in post-bariatric surgery recovery. Alongside my PhD research, I am also working towards achieving the Stage 2 Qualification in Health Psychology.

In 2019, I completed an MSc in Health Psychology at the University of St Andrews. Prior to that, I completed a BA (Hons) in Applied Psychology at University College Cork.

Prior to commencing my PhD, I worked as a Research Assistant at King’s College London and Imperial College London. At King’s College London (with who I still collaborate), under the supervision of Professor John Weinman, I used a range of research methodologies to investigate the extent of and reasons underlying treatment adherence in chronic conditions, such as type 2 diabetes mellitus, asthma, and psoriasis. At Imperial College London, using qualitative research methods, I explored differences in consultant orthopaedic surgeons’ pre-operative decision-making in total hip replacements.

My research interests include eating behaviours, obesity and weight management, communication in healthcare, and treatment adherence.