Changing how the world sees bodies

The Centre for Appearance Research is changing how the world sees bodies through science. We are on a mission to conduct and use research to help people and society accept and appreciate all bodies. Our podcast is an important way we share research findings, discuss relevant topics in our field, and engage with a broad audience interested in appearance-related issues.

Back in 2015, 'Appearance Matters: The Podcast!' was launched by Drs Nadia Craddock and Nicola Stock. Thinking about the podcast's history, Nadia reflected, 'the podcast was originally created to promote CAR's Appearance Matters conferences. It became clear, however, that there was a broader audience for the podcast and our goal changed to bridging the gap between academic research and public understanding about appearance.' 

Recognising the pervasive influence of appearance in everyday life, CAR's podcast seeks to provide evidence-based insights into how appearance impacts self-esteem, mental health, and social interactions. By featuring interviews with leading researchers from around the world (e.g. Australia, Brazil, India, Indonesia, the UK, the US), practitioners (e.g. dietician, cosmetic surgeon), individuals with lived experiences, and representatives from partner organisations (e.g. the Scar Free Foundation, Dove), the podcast offers diverse perspectives on topics ranging from body image and media representation to visible differences and cosmetic interventions. We also showcase emerging scholars who are conducting their PhD research on appearance topics and are driving the field forward with their work.

We will celebrate our 100th episode of the podcast in a few months' time. We at CAR are especially proud of this achievement, because only about 10 per cent of podcasts make it to 20 episodes, much less 100 episodes.

Hosts and Production Team

The podcast is currently hosted and produced by a dedicated team of researchers from CAR including:

Nadia Craddock: A senior research fellow whose research focuses on developing and evaluating interventions to promote positive body image. Nadia also conducts research on colourism and eating disorders.

Abbi Mathews: A PhD student whose thesis is investigating the use of social media to reduce stigma against people with visible differences and promote acceptance of appearance diversity within the general public.

Maia Thornton: A senior research fellow whose research focuses on developing and evaluating psychosocial interventions for individuals with a visible difference and their families.

The team is also supported by Sharon Haywood for dissemination activities as well as other researchers in CAR who provide scientific guidance from time to time. CAR Director, Professor Elizabeth Daniels, says, 'this team brings a wealth of knowledge and dedication to the podcast, ensuring that discussions are both informative and engaging. Furthermore, the team's commitment to inclusivity and representation ensures that a diverse range of voices and experiences are heard, contributing to a more comprehensive understanding of appearance-related challenges.'   

Content and themes

'Appearance Matters: The Podcast!' covers a wide array of topics related to appearance and body image. Each episode delves into specific themes, often featuring guest experts and individuals sharing personal stories. Some recurring themes include:

Media representation: Analysing how media portrayals influence societal standards of beauty and individuals' self-perceptions.

Visible differences: Discussing the experiences of individuals with conditions that affect their appearance and the societal challenges they face.

Body image across the lifespan: Exploring how body image concerns manifest at different ages and the factors that influence these changes.

Cultural and societal influences: Examining how cultural norms and societal expectations shape attitudes toward appearance.

Interventions and support: Highlighting programmes and strategies designed to promote more positive body image and support those affected by appearance-related issues.

Abbi Mathews, one of the podcast co-hosts and a PhD student at CAR, says 'one of my favorite formats is when researchers share their PhD projects. Alongside showcasing fascinating appearance research, these conversations provide insights into the PhD process, including the high points and challenges. As I navigate my own PhD, I find these episodes both inspiring and reassuring – they remind me that completing this journey is possible!'

Over the years, some notable episodes include:

Visible Difference Through Art: A discussion on how artistic expression can serve as a medium for individuals with visible differences to share their experiences and challenge societal perceptions.

Can Social Media Influencers Improve Our Body Image?: An analysis of the role social media influencers play in shaping body image, considering both positive and negative impacts.

Our December Dictionary series, with episodes under 5 minutes, defining and explaining central topics in our field, e.g. visible differences, body image, objectification, psychosocial interventions. These episodes are especially useful for teaching purposes. 

The podcast is available on multiple platforms, including SoundCloud, Spotify, and Apple Podcasts, making it accessible to a wide audience. The CAR team also maintains an active presence on social media platforms such as Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn, and (soon) BlueSky providing updates, additional resources, and opportunities for listener interaction.

Impact, reception and future directions

By translating academic research into accessible conversations, the podcast has become a valuable resource for educators, students, practitioners, and anyone interested in understanding the psychology of appearance. For example, several university psychology courses internationally include it on their resource lists for students. Maia remembers listening to an episode on body hair practices in 2019 ('Why do we care about body hair?' featuring Dr Victoria Clarke), when she had very recently started her PhD at CAR. Maia says, 'Listening to this interview really made me consider appearance in the broader historical and cultural context and sparked my interest in the role of gender in appearance norms, which is something I continue to explore in my research today – six years after first listening to this episode!'

Similarly, Sharon remembers turning to the podcast in 2019 as she prepared for her interview for the position of Research Associate at CAR, a role she still holds: 'As the job focused on the creation and evaluation of body image interventions for young people, I wanted to ensure I was up to date with the most current knowledge, and the podcast was a treasure trove of information. I remember tuning into three episodes that provided excellent overviews of current approaches as well as the field's future directions: 'Body Image Interventions' (episode 6), 'The Future of Body Dissatisfaction Prevention' (episode 8), and 'Tackling Body Image in Schools' (episode 31).'

As societal conversations around body image and appearance continue to evolve, 'Appearance Matters: The Podcast!' remains committed to addressing emerging topics and incorporating the latest research findings. Future episodes are expected to explore areas such how media can positively influence young children's body image, the role of clothing in body image among youth, and parenting a child with a visible difference. 

Join our listener community

'Appearance Matters: The Podcast!' serves as a vital platform for exploring the multifaceted issues surrounding appearance and body image. Through thoughtful discussions, expert insights, and personal narratives, the podcast fosters a deeper understanding of how appearance influences individual lives and society at large. By continuing to engage with diverse topics and voices, it contributes to ongoing efforts to promote acceptance, reduce stigma, and support those affected by appearance-related concerns. We, at CAR, very much hope you will give our podcast a listen and join our listener community! Please also subscribe, rate, and review the podcast.