Centre for Appearance Research (CAR)

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Centre for Appearance Research (CAR)

CAR: a centre of excellence in psychological & interdisciplinary research of appearance & body image

08/05/2026

🎉 30 days to go!
The countdown is officially on — there are now just 30 days until the Appearance Matters 11 Conference in Bristol (9–11 June 2026).
We’re looking forward to welcoming researchers, clinicians, practitioners, and advocates from across the world for three days of learning, discussion, and collaboration focused on appearance research, visible difference, body image, and psychosocial wellbeing.
With an exciting programme, inspiring speakers, and opportunities to connect with an international community, AM11 promises to be a truly engaging and thought-provoking event.
If you haven’t secured your place yet, there’s still time to join us:
https://www.uwe.ac.uk/research/centres-and-groups/appearance/news-and-events/am-conference/registration
We can’t wait to see you in Bristol!
Psychology Dermatology PublicHealth ConferenceCountdown UWEBristol

06/05/2026

🎙️ LATEST PODCAST EPISODE IS NOW LIVE!
🗣️ In this month’s episode, podcast host Dr Ella Guest speaks with Dr Helena Lewis-Smith (.lewissmith), Associate Professor at the Centre for Appearance Research (CAR), alongside Fiona and Lucy, who bring invaluable lived experience as expert advisors. Together, they share updates from Helena’s feasibility trial of the Accepting Your Body After Cancer (ABC) intervention.
🤝 This conversation powerfully shows how bringing research together with people who have lived experience can make both interventions AND the research process more meaningful, relevant, and successful. It also highlights important gaps in current research - particularly around the different body image needs of younger women affected by breast cancer, which are often overlooked.
❗️A clear message comes through: people affected by breast cancer are actively seeking body image support, and co-designed, evidence-based interventions like ABC are a vital step forward.
🎧 Listen now via the link in bio and consider sharing with friends or family who have been impacted by breast cancer. BreastReconstruction WomensHealth SciencePodcast AppearanceMattersPod

13/04/2026

✨ ACT It Out: the app ✨
💭 Did you know that there is an app to support people with visible differences that is completely free to use?
📱 ACT It Out is an app where people with conditions that affect their appearance can follow six short sessions to help manage challenges and get what they want out of life.
🔬 It is based on research conducted at the Centre for Appearance Research so it is fully evidenced-based.
💻 Available for free on the app store on your phone, or at the visible difference support hub (follow the QR code) which also provides more info about the app.

10/04/2026

Tomorrow (Saturday) is officially International Pet Day so we at the Centre for Appearance Research (CAR) are celebrating a very important group of contributors… our pets 🐾

From dogs who insist on joining TEAMs meetings to cats confidently walking across keyboards mid-email, to the more camera-shy companions quietly supervising from the sidelines — it’s safe to say CAR has a very diverse team.

While they may not be officially on the payroll (yet), they’ve played a vital role in keeping us grounded, making us smile and occasionally reminding us to take a break.

So, in honour of International Pets Day, we thought we’d introduce you to some of the furry (and not-so-furry) members of the CAR community.

👇 Drop a photo of your pet in the comments — we’d love to meet them!

09/04/2026

📣 Interested in sharing your experience with PMDD?
Molly is conducting a research study exploring how body satisfaction fluctuates in individuals with PMDD.
If you have PMDD, you’re invited to take part in an interview via MS Teams.
Your voice could help improve awareness and support
Follow the link to participate (link also in our story):
https://go.uwe.ac.uk/BodySatisfactionPMDD
Sharing this post would be greatly appreciated!

08/04/2026

💬 Hear from our delegates
One of the most powerful aspects of the Appearance Matters Conference is the community it creates — bringing together researchers, clinicians, practitioners, and advocates who are passionate about improving understanding and support around appearance, body image, and visible difference.
Our delegates consistently highlight the value of collaboration, shared learning, and meaningful conversations that continue well beyond the conference itself.
Join us at the Appearance Matters 11 Conference in Bristol (9–11 June 2026) and experience it for yourself.
Register here:
https://www.uwe.ac.uk/research/centres-and-groups/appearance/news-and-events/am-conference/registration
Psychology ConferenceCommunity ResearchImpact UWEBristol

07/04/2026

🌍 On World Health Day, it’s important to recognise that body image concerns are more than “insecurities”- they are a significant public health issue with wide-ranging consequences.
🔬 Longitudinal research shows that body image concerns can predict later mental health difficulties and harmful behaviours, including lower self-esteem, anxiety, depression, reduced engagement in physical activity, unhealthy weight-control behaviours, eating disorders, self-harm, and suicidal ideation over time.
👤 Body image concerns are largely influenced by wider sociocultural pressures and can affect people across the life course, particularly during adolescence and young adulthood. This is what drives our research at CAR, and the need to better understand and address these issues at a population level. |mage HealthPsychology

02/04/2026

✨World Autism Awareness Day - 2nd April 2026✨
On Autism Awareness Day, we celebrate neurodiversity and shine a light on the important research exploring body image experiences in people with autism. 🤝 Understanding these perspectives helps us build a more inclusive and supportive world for everyone and helps to develop the body of research currently available in this field.
📄 Check out this research paper by Phaedra Longhurst for more info!
🎧 And to learn more about Phaedra’s work, listen to her episode of Appearance Matters: the Podcast!
(Link in our bio, ep. 86: Body Image in Autistic Adults).
Reference: Longhurst, P. (2023). Body image and autism: A scoping review. Research in Autism Spectrum Disorders, 105, 102170. o Hashtags (up to 8-10):
|mage

01/04/2026

❓Did you know that Al-generated images aren’t neutral and they don’t represent all bodies equally?
🎤 In this episode of Appearance Matters: The Podcast, podcast host Dr Kat Schneider speaks with Dr Aisha Sobey from the Leverhulme Centre for the Future of Intelligence, who breaks down how generative Al tools can reproduce -and even amplify —weight bias in the images we see every day. From who gets represented to how bodies are portrayed, these systems are shaping visual culture in ways many of us don’t even notice.
❗️Dr Sobey delves into her research using generative Al featuring people and found a
“general erasure of difference” with regard to larger and fat bodies.
🎧 Tune in to learn about what needs to change, and how we can all become more critical and conscious users of Al.
🔗 See our bio above for a direct link to our podcast!
BodyDiversity DigitalCulture

31/03/2026

What better way to end day two of Appearance Matters 11 than with good food, great conversation, and a little curiosity?
On 10 June, delegates are invited to an informal buffet-style dinner at We The Curious.
After dinner, enjoy two hours of exclusive access to explore two floors of interactive exhibits - giving you the chance to experience the science centre in a relaxed, after-hours setting.
✨ Informal atmosphere
🍽️ Buffet dinner
🔬 Interactive exhibits
🤝 Time to connect with fellow delegates.
We hope you’ll join us for a memorable evening in Bristol. To book your place, head to the Appearance Matters 11 conference website.
📍 We The Curious
📅 10 June 2026

25/03/2026

The wait is over 👀
The full scientific programme for Appearance
Matters 11 is now LIVE!
Get ready for inspiring talks, cutting-edge research, and powerful conversations from experts across the globe O
Take a look and start planning your must-see sessions!
• Check it out:
https://www.uwe.ac.uk/research/centres-and-groups/appearance/news-and-events/am-conference/scientific-programme

Address

Bristol

Website

http://www.uwe.ac.uk/car, https://soundcloud.com/appearance-matters

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