Personal profile
Research interests
My research is in the area of eating disorders and body image, with particular emphasis on prevention. My interests include understanding the development of eating disorders, and investigating evidence-based interventions for improving body image and other risk factors. My work has particularly focussed on approaches based on mindfulness and cognitive dissonance, and across school, university, community and online settings. I consistently seek to conduct research that is theoretically driven and evidence-based and that has the capacity to make a real impact on the lives of individuals and society.
Teaching interests
I am Director of Studies for the MSc in Applied Clinical Psychology.
Willing to supervise doctoral students
I am accepting PhD students wishing to pursue research in areas related to eating disorders and/or body image.
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Collaborations and top research areas from the last five years
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Development and feasibility of microinterventions for reducing risk of eating disorders among adolescents
Atkinson, M. (PI)
1/10/25 → 30/09/27
Project: UK charity
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Psychological intervention planning with ChatGPT
Atkinson, M. (PI), Barry, T. (CoI), Skylark, W. (CoI) & Barona Soyer, M. (CoI)
1/12/23 → 1/02/24
Project: Other
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Counter-stereotypes and feminist identification in the context of body image and disordered eating (Department of Psychology - Funded)
Atkinson, M. (PI) & Goclowska, G. (PI)
1/01/18 → 31/12/18
Project: Research-related funding
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Feminists resist unrealistic beauty standards but are not invulnerable to their negative consequences
Tenn, J., Goclowska, G. & Atkinson, M., 30 Apr 2026, In: Journal of Applied Social Psychology. 56, 4, p. 295-309 15 p.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
Open Access -
Developing a Digital Mindfulness-Based Intervention to Improve Body Image and Reduce Risk Factors for Disordered Eating: Integrating Theory, Evidence, and the Person-Based Approach
Osborne, E., Ainsworth, B., Hooper, N., Chadwick, P. & Atkinson, M., 1 Sept 2025, In: Body Image. 54, 101925.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
Open Access1 Link opens in a new tab Citation (SciVal) -
How do people with lived experience of Anorexia Nervosa and mental health professionals working with people with eating disorders conceptualise recovery?
Rodrigues Ferreira, A. J., Blackwood, L., Martinez-Barona Soyer, M., Fairchild, G. & Atkinson, M., 31 Oct 2025, In: Journal of Eating Disorders. 13, p. 1-11 11 p., 247.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
Open Access -
Optimizing a Digital Mindfulness-Based Intervention to Reduce Risk Factors for Disordered Eating: A Multiphase Optimization Strategy (MOST) Feasibility Trial
Osborne, E. L., Ainsworth, B., Hooper, N., Chadwick, P. & Atkinson, M. J., 31 Dec 2025, In: International Journal of Eating Disorders. 58, 12, p. 2331-2343 13 p.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
Open Access1 Link opens in a new tab Citation (SciVal) -
A Brief Online Cognitive Dissonance-Based Intervention to Reduce Consideration of Cosmetic Surgery and Improve Body Image Among Chinese Women
Wu, Y., Mulkens, S., Atkinson, M. & Alleva, J., 31 Mar 2024, In: Psychology of Women Quarterly. 48, 1, p. 80-92 13 p.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
Open Access8 Link opens in a new tab Citations (SciVal)
Datasets
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Supplementary materials for "Understanding University Student Priorities for Mental Health and Well-being Support: A Mixed-Methods Exploration using the Person-Based Approach"
Remškar, M. (Creator), Atkinson, M. (Creator), Marks, E. (Creator) & Ainsworth, B. (Creator), University of Bath, 9 Feb 2022
DOI: 10.15125/BATH-00987
Dataset
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Dataset for "Effects of decentering and non-judgement on body dissatisfaction and negative affect among young adult women"
Osborne, E. (Creator) & Atkinson, M. (Creator), University of Bath, 8 Jan 2022
DOI: 10.15125/BATH-00984
Dataset