Hi, I’m Phillippa
Body image expert.
Professor of Psychology.
Social scientist.
Disruptor of beauty ideals & gender stereotypes.
Champion for women, girls & gender diverse people.
I’m so glad you’re here!
A bit about me
Born in New Zealand and raised in Australia, I now live in the United Kingdom in Bristol (although London is my first true love).
I have a PhD and work as a Professor of Psychology at the world-leading Centre for Appearance Research, UWE Bristol. We’re the world’s largest research group focusing on the role of appearance and body image in people’s lives. I lead a team of brilliant women scientists and together we conduct research designed for rapid social impact.
I’m also the Founder of EVERYBODY Consulting - a global team of body image experts who help purpose-driven brands and organisations disrupt beauty ideals and gender stereotypes to create more inclusive and equitable societies through consulting, thought leadership, training, and education.
What unites all of my work is a strong sense of social justice, which has driven me from an early age.
Here’s the vision that underpins my work:
I want to live in a world where no one is held back in life by how they look, their gender or identity.
A world where our bodies are celebrated as a source of joy, self-expression and strength and respected for all they allow us to do.
And where women, girls and gender diverse people are valued for who we are, not how we look.
My Story
I’ve been passionate about bodies, mental health, and equality since I gave my first presentation on the impact of the lack of diversity in the fashion and beauty industries in my Grade 10 social studies class!
Since then, I’ve spent over 20 years studying and researching psychology, body image, appearance diversity and mental health. This included a PhD in Health Psychology at The University of Queensland, where my award-winning research focused on the health and business benefits of body size representation in advertising.
Post-PhD, I’ve worked in academia for over a 15 years. I’ve published over 100 peer-reviewed studies investigating body image, appearance diversity and mental health in countries as far-flung as the UK, Australia, India, Brazil, Indonesia, USA and Sweden.
My research has featured in the New York Times, BBC, Forbes, Time, Vogue, and teaching case studies at Harvard Business School and School of Public Health.
All of my research is designed to have rapid social impact. The evidence-based body image programmes and tools I’ve helped to create have been delivered to over 110 million people in 148 countries, in partnership with leading social-purpose driven brands and youth organisations.
In 2021, I founded EVERYBODY Consulting, to short circuit the typical 17-year time lag between scientific discovery and real world impact. Our global team of thought leaders and social scientist experts consult with powerhouse brands like Dove, Nike, Instagram and NHS England to disrupt beauty and gender norms, and create more equitable societies.
Our projects have won industry awards including at the Tribeca Film Festival, Cannes Lions and Webby Awards, but more importantly they’ve had measurable social impact on young people and women across the world.
In 2024, I published a best-selling book for teens, The Body Confidence Book, which has since been translated into five languages. It’s full of science, stories from teens around the world and some of my favourite practical tips for boosting body confidence.
I’m currently working on creating more easy-to-access science-backed tools and resources for women that focus on building body confidence, respect and autonomy. Because every woman deserves to feel at home and in control of her body.
When I’m not busy smashing beauty stereotypes, disrupting gender norms or generally dismantling the patriarchy, you can usually find me travelling (43 countries and counting!) in search of the best beach, coffee, local foodie spot, and Metallica’s latest gig.
I live with my wife, Laura, and we’re slowly renovating our Victorian flat in Bristol. Despite having lived in the UK for 15-years, I’m still not used to the beautiful buildings, spring flowers, proximity to Europe, and the terrible weather.
