Who Are We?

We are a multidisciplinary research team based at Plymouth University, looking at ways to improve information and support to people seeking weight loss solutions. 

Jonathan Pinkney is a Consultant Physician at Derriford Hospital in Plymouth and Professor of Medicine at Plymouth University and Peninsula Schools of Medicine and Dentistry. For many years he has promoted the understanding and recognition of obesity as a significant social and medical concern, and the development of support and better treatments. He works in the Plymouth weight management clinic, and his research interests include appetite regulation, weight reducing treatments for diabetes, and the long term results of weight loss surgery.

Gayle Letherby BA (Hons), PhD, AcSS is Professor of Sociology at Plymouth University. For the past 20 years Gayle has been researching and writing in a variety of areas including individuals’ experience of health and healthcare; reproductive identity and the experience of people who parent and people who do not. She also writes about the methods that social scientists use and their experience of using them. This includes consideration of qualitative methods such as interviewing and of research ethics.

Julie Parsons BA (Hons), MSc, is a Lecturer in the Sociology of Health & Illness at Plymouth University. She is in the process of writing up a PhD on food choice and identity using an auto/biographical research approach. She is interested in the ethics of research and computer mediated communication (CMC) as a means of conducting research.

Our Contact Details:
Professor Jonathan Pinkney MD FRCP
Professor of Medicine
Plymouth University and Peninsula Schools of Medicine and Dentistry
Honorary Consultant Physician Diabetes and Endocrinology
University Medicine level 7 Derriford Hospital
Plymouth Hospitals NHS Trust
Crownhill, Plymouth PL6 8DH
Email: jonathan.pinkney@pms.ac.uk

Professor Gayle Letherby, BA (Hons), PhD, AcSS
Professor of Sociology and Director of the Institute of Health and Community
Faculty of Health, Education and Society
Plymouth University
Drake Circus, Plymouth, PL4 8AA
Email: gayle.letherby@plymouth.ac.uk

Julie Parsons, BA (Hons), MSc.
Lecturer in Sociology of Health & Illness
School of Social Science & Social Work
Faculty of Health, Education & Society,
Plymouth University
Drake Circus, Plymouth, PL4 8AA
Email. jmparsons@plymouth.ac.uk