Dr Lily Hawkins

Lily is a postdoctoral researcher for the PROGROUP Study (ImPROving GROUP Treatment for People with Severe Obesity), co-led by Prof Mark Tarrant and Prof Jon Pinkney. The PROGROUP Study is investigating whether an intensive group-based behavioural programme is less costly and more effective than usual care for people with severe obesity. Lily joined the PROGROUP research team in April 2022, to help deliver key research outcomes of the study, including refinement of the intervention, training healthcare staff and process evaluation.

Lily has a background in health psychology and eating behaviour, gaining an MSc in Health Psychology (Distinction) from University of Surrey in 2017, before completing her PhD at Aston University in 2021. Lily's PhD investigated the impact of social media and social norms upon food consumption and choice. Specifically, this involved studying social processes (such as social norms and social identity) within our wider social media circles and investigating whether these can be used to encourage healthier eating. 

Lily has also worked within clinical healthcare settings, both in a research and clinical capacity.