Centre for Appearance Research (CAR)
CAR is changing how the world sees bodies through science.
We are on a mission to conduct and use research to help people and society accept and appreciate all bodies.
Our vision is to expand our impact beyond academia, creating a world where diversity in appearance is fully valued.
Our work is grounded in excellence, leadership, social impact, community, equity and belonging.
Our research and consultancy are focused on two broad areas:
About
Find out how our research transforms lives.
Research themes
Discover our themes, projects, publications and PhD research.
Members
Details of our centre's members, visiting academics, staff and PhD students.
Resources
Online training, videos and media resources.
FAQs
Answers to your frequently asked questions.
News and events
Attend our Appearance Matters Conference and much more.
Publications
Publications from members of the Centre for Appearance Research.
Contacts
We welcome enquiries about our work - please get in touch.
Appearance Matters Podcast
Appearance Matters: The Podcast is all about appearance, featuring exclusive interviews with experts in the field. It is hosted by Dr Nadia Craddock, Dr Maia Thornton, and Abbi Matthews on SoundCloud.
Appearance Matters: The Podcast
Episode 107: Social media and visible difference
In the latest podcast episode, Dr Ella Guest speaks to Dr Emma Waite and Visiting Professor Dr Amy Slater about their work on social media and visible difference as part of the VTCT Foundation Programme of Research at CAR. They are also joined by Laure Dedecker, a PhD student at the Media Psychology Lab at KU Leuven in Belgium who researches the role of social media in body image development among young individuals with a visible difference. Together, they explore the social media experiences of people with visible differences and how social media might be used in a positive way, in addition to discussing Australia’s new social media ban for under-16s.
Changing how the world sees bodies
The esteemed British Psychological Society (BPS) has featured our podcast in their official publication, The Psychologist, as it approaches important milestones – our 100th episode and 10 years disseminating and discussing research and relevant topics surrounding appearance-related issues.
Read the article
Why we study appearance
Transforming tomorrow, today.
Our unique approach to research, innovation, skills, enterprise and just and ethical practices is driving societal improvements and transforming futures for the better.
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