About

I am the Assistant Head of Discipline for Psychological and Behavioural Sciences in the School of Psychology. I'm also the programme director for the BSc (Hons) Psychology online. Overall, my research focuses on women's health and long-term conditions and this is often featured in my teaching on the psychology programmes.

Research interests

I have a particular research focus on Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) which crosses the two areas. My research in this area focuses on the experience of the condition, its impact on quality of life, and also its association with psychological distress and mental health. 

My recent research projects in this area explore PCOS and mental health, including non-suicidal self-injury and emotion regulation. We are currently exploring the role and experience of these factors for women with PCOS.

I am also currently Director of Studies for the following PhD project "Non-suicidal self-injury (NSSI), suicide ideation and emotion regulation in women with Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS)", a collaboration with the University Hospitals Coventry and Warwickshire (UHCW) NHS Trust.

Recent publications

• Shiells, K., Williams, S., Hallam, J., & Jackson, J. (2023). 'You have to be guided by yourself, your feelings and your child': Women's experiences of weaning after breastfeeding beyond infancy. The Journal of Health Visiting, 12(1), https://doi.org/10.12968/johv.2024.12.1.30
• Allen, S., Williams, S., Hallam, J., & Jackson, J. (2023). Breastfeeding experiences of women who have survived intimate partner violence. The Journal of Health Visiting, 11(5), 
  https://doi.org/10.12968/johv.2023.11.5.204
• Robinson, S., Williams, S., Hallam, J., & Jackson, J. (2023). Exploring the lived experiences of mothers of extremely preterm infants within the UK: An interpretative phenomenological analysis. The Journal of Health Visiting, 11(2), https://doi.org/10.12968/johv.2023.11.2.72
• Williams, S., Fido, D., & Sheffield, D. (2022). Polycystic Ovary Syndrome and Non-Suicidal Self Injury: A community-based study. Healthcare, 10(6), 118. https://doi.org/10.3390/healthcare10061118
• Fido, D., & Williams, S. (2022). A comparison of the manifestation of psychopathic traits between women with and without Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS): A brief report.  The Journal of concurrent disorders. https://doi.org/10.54127/UQLZ5455
• Khan, S., Holland, F., Williams, S., & Montague, J. (2019). Dispositive Analysis: Overview and proposed approach. Qualitative Methods in Psychology Bulletin, (28)
• Williams, S., Sheffield, D., & Knibb, R. (2018). The Polycystic Ovary Syndrome Quality of Life (PCOSQOL) Scale: development and preliminary validation. Health Psychology Open, 5(2). doi: 10.1177/2055102918788195
• Williams, S., Sheffield, D., & Knibb, R. (2018). Analyzing the Impact of Polycystic Ovary Syndrome on Quality of Life using Photovoice methods. SAGE Research Methods Cases, Part 2. Doi: 10.4135/9781526439352
• Williams, S., Sheffield, D., & Knibb, R. (2015). ‘Everything’s from the inside out with PCOS’: Exploring women’s experiences of living with polycystic ovary syndrome and co-morbidities through Skype interviews. Health Psychology Open, 1-10. doi: 10.1177/2055102915603051
• Williams, S., Sheffield, D., & Knibb, R. (2014). A snapshot of the lives of women with Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS): A photovoice investigation. Journal of Health Psychology. doi: 10.1177/1359105314547941

Membership of professional bodies

I am a member of the following professional bodies:

Androgen-Excess and PCOS Society

• Member

British Psychological Society

• Chartered Member of the BPS 
• Full member of the Division of Health Psychology 
• Member of the Qualitative Methods in Psychology Section
• Committee Member on the Undergraduate Education Committee 

The Higher Education Academy

• Fellow of Higher Education Academy

Qualifications

• BSc (Hons) Psychology and Criminology - Nottingham Trent University
• MSc Health Psychology - University of Derby
• PhD Health Psychology - University of Derby

Recent conferences

(Presenter is underlined)

• Velasquez, E., & Williams, S. (2023). I feel like superwoman: A qualitative study on soualigan women's lived experience with vaginal steaming. Poster presentation accepted at the Division of Health Psychology Conference, UK
• Fido, D., Williams, S., & Sheffield, D. (2019). Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) and Non-Suicidal Self Injury. Presentation accepted at the European Health Psychology Conference. Dubrovnik
• Williams, S. & Kamal, A. (2018). The experience of Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) in women of South Asian Origin. Oral presentation at the Division of Health Psychology Annual Conference. Newcastle, UK
• Williams, S. & Kamal, A. (2018). The experience of Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) in women of South Asian Origin. Poster presentation accepted at the European Health Psychology Conference. Galway, Ireland

In the media

My research has been featured in the media over the years, including BBC radio, Derby Telegraph, and other various websites and sources. 

Teaching responsibilities

My teaching is focused within health psychology and qualitative methods. Often focusing on women's health (including maternal health) and long-term conditions. I also supervise research project students in these areas at both undergraduate and postgraduate levels. I mostly teach in online programmes, including:

• BSc (Hons) Psychology 
• MSc Health Psychology 

Courses

• Psychology BSc (Hons) (online)
• Psychology University Certificate (online)