• Psychology
• Research
• Gender, Health & Wellbeing

Gender, Health & Wellbeing

Who We Are

Gender is central to how we understand and express ourselves, and how others perceive and interact with us. Gender and gender inequities shape our identities, relationships, and experiences, and profoundly influence our wellbeing. Our research theme brings together scholars across clinical, developmental, social, and organisational psychology, public health, and epidemiology to investigate and address the multifaceted ways gender affects health, wellbeing, and social functioning. We work collaboratively with individuals, groups (including men, women, gender-diverse people, organisations, and activists), and engage with broader systems such as health services, education, and political advocacy. In doing so, we aim to better understand and challenge the structural and interpersonal dynamics that shape gendered experiences and outcomes.

Members of Gender, Health, & Wellbeing

Co-Leads: Dr. Morgana Lizzio-Wilson and Dr. Andrew Gibbs

Research Areas and Approach

We take a holistic approach to health and wellbeing, recognising the interconnectedness of physical, mental, and social health for people of all genders, and across species. As such, we seek to understand how gender identities, norms, inequalities, and power dynamics shape:

• Physical health (e.g., access to healthcare, reproductive and menstrual health, bodily autonomy)
• Mental health (e.g., depression, anxiety, substance use, eating disorders, suicide prevention, purpose, flourishing)
• Social health (e.g., activism and political participation, harassment, discrimination and violence, ecology, loneliness, body image)

Our work is grounded in a commitment to gender justice and the decolonisation of psychological research. This includes examining how intersectional identities and inequalities shape health outcomes (e.g., race, disability), grounding our work in lived experience and co-production, and conducting research in diverse contexts inside and outside WEIRD countries and other contexts that dominate psychological research.

Our Impact

Our research informs the design and evaluation of interventions that address gender-based inequalities and promote wellbeing in diverse settings, including healthcare, organisations, politics, romantic relationships, and online spaces. Through our research, we contribute to policy, public understanding and awareness of these issues, and creating more equitable and healthy societies for people of all genders. We welcome collaboration with researchers, practitioners, communities, students, and other sectors and institutions who share our vision.

Events

We host events including seminars from external and internal speakers and sessions to support collaboration. If you wish to receive emails about these events, please contact Dr Morgana Lizzio-Wilson (M.Lizzio-Wilson@exeter.ac.uk) or Dr Andrew Gibbs (A.Gibbs@exeter.ac.uk) who can add you to our mailing list.