How do weight loss drugs impact commitment to and enactment of behavioural change in people living with obesity?

The recent emergence of GLP-1ra (e.g., Semaglutide, Tirzepatide) for the management of obesity (BMI>30kg/m²) is promising to revolutionise weight management treatment in the UK and globally, without necessarily obviating the need for behavioural change. Despite the intended confluence of pharmacological and behavioural approaches, little is known about the compatibility of these two interventions. However, there are reasons for thinking that weight loss drugs could either promote or discourage engagement with behavioural interventions, and these predictions are the focus of the proposed PhD, the principal question of which is: How do weight loss drugs impact commitment to and enactment of behavioural change in people living with obesity? The thesis will comprise three empirical studies to address this question and will employ mixed methods across experimental psychology, psychopharmacology and epidemiology with primary and secondary data analysis (including evidence synthesis, cognitive testing, field experiments, cross-sectional and time-sampling studies).

Applicants should have a first or upper second class honours degree in psychology or a related discipline (e.g., behavioural science; health sciences) and/or a relevant masters qualification.

If your first language is not English, you will need to meet the minimum English requirements for the programme, IELTS Academic score of 6.5 (with no less than 5.5 in each component test area) or equivalent.

The studentship is supported for 3 years and includes full home tuition fees plus a stipend of £18,655 per annum 2024/25 rate (2025/26 rates TBC). The studentship will only fully fund those applicants who are eligible for home fees with relevant qualifications. Applicants normally required to cover international fees will have to cover the difference between the home and the international tuition fee rates.

There is no additional funding available to cover NHS Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS) costs, visa costs, flights etc.

NB: The studentship is supported for three years of the four-year registration period. The fourth year is a self-funded ‘writing-up’ year.

If you wish to discuss this project further informally, please contact Professor Tarrant, Dr Fallon, or Professor Pinkney.

Please see our apply for a postgraduate research programme page for a list of supporting documents to upload with your application.

For more information on the admissions process generally, please visit our apply for a postgraduate research programme page or contact the Doctoral College . Applications will not be considered if information is missing.