Projects per year
Personal profile
Research Interests
As a psychologist, my research focuses on theory-based behavior change interventions to improve diet and nutrition status and to prevent and treat obesity, in a variety of population groups.
I have a particular interest in the role of novel behaviour-change methods such as habit formation and peer support, and I am keen to explore dietary behaviour change across the life-course, including in preconception, pregnancy and aging populations.
Achievements
I am the Regional Lead for the Association for the Study of Obesity Northern Ireland Network. https://www.aso.org.uk/network/northern-ireland/
I’m an invited member of the Obesity Prevention Steering Group at the Dept of Health NI.
I’m an invited member of the All-Island Obesity Coalition – Safefood http://www.safefood.eu/Professional/Nutrition/All-island-Obesity-Action-Forum/Forum-membership.aspx
I'm a member of the Research Impact Sub-committee for the Division of Health Psychology, and I’m a committee member for the Division of Health Psychology in NI (British Psychological Society).
I regularly contribute to the popular press via articles and interviews (TV and radio).
Expertise related to UN Sustainable Development Goals
In 2015, UN member states agreed to 17 global Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) to end poverty, protect the planet and ensure prosperity for all. This person’s work contributes towards the following SDG(s):
Fingerprint
Dive into the research topics where Laura McGowan is active. These topic labels come from the works of this person. Together they form a unique fingerprint.
- 1 Similar Profiles
Collaborations and top research areas from the last five years
Recent external collaboration on country/territory level. Dive into details by clicking on the dots or
-
R3598CPH: Adaption of a habit based dietary intervention for older adults in Brazil
McKenna, G. (PI), Congdon, N. (CoI), McGowan, L. (CoI) & Woodside, J. (CoI)
04/06/2024 → …
Project: Research
-
R6947CPH: Tailored dietary interventions combined with oral rehabilitation in older patients
McKenna, G. (PI), Cardwell, C. (CoI), Clarke, M. (CoI), McGowan, L. (CoI), McGuinness, B. (CoI) & Woodside, J. (CoI)
28/04/2016 → 31/08/2019
Project: Research
-
Preconception health indicators and deprivation: a cross-sectional study using national maternity healthcare data
Cassinelli, E. H., Kent, L., Eastwood, K.-A., Schoenaker, D. A. J. M., McKinley, M. C. & McGowan, L., 19 Jun 2025, (Early online date) In: BJOG: An International Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
Open AccessFile -
Preconception indicators and associations with health outcomes reported in UK routine primary care data: a systematic review
Schoenaker, D., Lovegrove, E. M., Cassinelli, E. H., Hall, J., McGranahan, M., McGowan, L., Carr, H., Alwan, N. A., Stephenson, J. & Godfrey, K. M., Feb 2025, In: British Journal of General Practice. 75, 751, p. e129-e136 8 p.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
Open AccessFile1 Citation (Scopus)3 Downloads (Pure) -
Development of a habit-based intervention to support healthy eating and physical activity behaviours for pregnant women with overweight or obesity: healthy habits in pregnancy and beyond (HHIPBe)
McClelland, J., Gallagher, D., Moore, S. E., McGirr, C., Beeken, R. J., Croker, H., Eastwood, K.-A., O’Neill, R. F., Woodside, J. V., McGowan, L. & McKinley, M. C., 16 Nov 2024, In: BMC Pregnancy and Childbirth. 24, 20 p., 760.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
Open AccessFile1 Citation (Scopus)27 Downloads (Pure) -
Personal experiences and preferences for weight-management services from adults living with overweight and obesity in the United Kingdom
Kyle, E., Kelly, A. & McGowan, L., Jul 2024, In: Nutrients. 16, 13, 9 p., 2016.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
Open AccessFile1 Citation (Scopus)30 Downloads (Pure) -
Preconception health and care policies, strategies and guidelines in the UK and Ireland: a scoping review
Cassinelli, E. H., McKinley, M. C., Kent, L., Eastwood, K.-A., Schoenaker, D. A. J. M., Trew, D., Stoikidou, T. & McGowan, L., 22 Jun 2024, In: BMC Public Health. 24, 15 p., 1662.Research output: Contribution to journal › Review article › peer-review
Open AccessFile4 Citations (Scopus)46 Downloads (Pure)
Prizes
-
Ambassador for Belfast
McGowan, L. (Recipient), 05 May 2021
Prize: Prize (including medals and awards)
-
Chair of the British Psychological Society's Division of Health Psychology Northern Ireland
McGowan, L. (Recipient), 01 Apr 2019
Prize: Election to learned society
-
Co-Chair of the UK Preconception Early and Mid-Career Researcher Network
McGowan, L. (Recipient), 01 Sept 2021
Prize: Appointment
-
Co-lead for Psychology and Behavioural Science Content in C25
McGowan, L. (Recipient), 01 Sept 2020
Prize: Appointment
-
Fellow of Higher Education Academy
McGowan, L. (Recipient), 03 Jul 2020
Prize: Fellowship awarded competitively
Activities
-
Get Ready for Management and Leadership - QUB
McGowan, L. (Participant)
25 Apr 2024Activity: Participating in or organising an event types › Participation in workshop, seminar, course
-
‘Social Supermarket Workshop’
McEvoy, C. (Organiser), Woodside, J. (Participant), McKinley, M. (Participant), Nugent, A. (Participant), McGowan, L. (Participant) & Logan, D. (Participant)
Apr 2024Activity: Participating in or organising an event types › Participation in workshop, seminar, course
-
External Examiner - Leeds Beckett University
McGowan, L. (Examiner)
20 Mar 2024Activity: Examination types › PhD external examination
-
Understanding Weight Stigma: Implications for Practice
McGowan, L. (Invited speaker)
06 Mar 2024Activity: Participating in or organising an event types › Participation in workshop, seminar, course
-
External Examiner - University of Newcastle, Australia
McGowan, L. (Examiner)
04 Mar 2024Activity: Examination types › PhD external examination
Press/Media
-
Obesity in Northern Ireland - Bariatric Surgery
18/10/2023
1 Media contribution
Press/Media: Expert Comment
-
Obesity in Northern Ireland - Bariatric Surgery
13/10/2023
1 item of Media coverage
Press/Media: Expert Comment
-
Whole Systems Approach to Obesity Prevention in NI
27/01/2023
2 Media contributions
Press/Media: Research