Dr Laura Wilkinson

Associate Professor

Psychology

l.l.wilkinson@swansea.ac.uk

Office - 905
Ninth Floor
Vivian Building
Singleton Campus

Available For Postgraduate Supervision

Research Links

https://orcid.org/0000-0002-8093-0843

Google Scholar

About

Laura Wilkinson is an experimental psychologist with a research interest in eating behaviour and weight management. She has recently conducted work focussed on sustainable eating behaviour and consumer acceptability of novel foods or ingredients. Laura has an ongoing interest in food variety with a particular interest in the effect of ‘multi-component food-items’ and combinations of foods on eating behaviour. Finally, Laura has built a body of research on the relationship between attachment orientation and disinhibited eating behaviours, including work with patients undergoing bariatric surgery, those with night eating syndrome, and diabetes.

Laura is currently Faculty Equality, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) lead for the Faculty of Medicine, Health and Life Science and previously held the roles of Deputy Athena Swan Lead at Institutional level and School EDI lead for the School of Psychology. Laura (September 2022) led the successful Silver Athena Swan joint submission for School of Psychology and School of Health and Social Care. She is also an accredited Athena Swan panel reviewer for Advance HE.

Laura was previously the Swansea University local network lead for the UK Reproducibility Network (2019 - 2023) and continues to support the network locally in its mission to promote open research practice.

BSc (Hons), Experimental Psychology, University of Bristol
PhD, Experimental Psychology (Nutrition and Behaviour), University of Bristol

Areas Of Expertise

Eating Behaviour
Bodyweight
Food consumer acceptability
Diabetes
Sustainable eating
Dietary variety
Disinhibited eating

Publications

Research Highlights

Nolan, L., Embling, R., & Wilkinson, L. (2024). Breadth of substance use is associated with the selection of a larger food portion size via elevated impulsivity. Physiology and Behavior, 283, 114594
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.physbeh.2024.114594, SU Repository: https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa66506
Gatzemeier, J., Wilkinson, L., Price, M., & Lee, M. (2024). Self-identified strategies to manage intake of tempting foods: cross-sectional and prospective associations with BMI and snack intake. Public Health Nutrition, 27(1)
https://doi.org/10.1017/s1368980024000697, SU Repository: https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa65871
Randall, T., Cousins, A., Neilson, L., Price, M., Hardman, C., & Wilkinson, L. (2024). Sustainable food consumption across Western and Non-Western cultures: A scoping review considering the theory of planned behaviour. Food Quality and Preference, 114, 105086
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.foodqual.2023.105086, SU Repository: https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa65396
EMBLING, R., Neilson, L., Mellor, C., Durodola, M., Rouse, N., Haselgrove, A., Shipley, K., Tales, A., & Wilkinson, L. (2024). Exploring consumer beliefs about novel fortified foods: A focus group study with UK-based older and younger adult consumers. Appetite, 193, 107139
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.appet.2023.107139, SU Repository: https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa65078
Klatzkin, R., Nadel, T., Wilkinson, L., Gaffney, K., Files, H., Gray, Z., Slavich, G., & Wilkinson, L. (2023). Lifetime stressor exposure, eating expectancy, and acute social stress-related eating behavior: A pre-registered study of the emotional eating cycle. Appetite, 185, 106494
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.appet.2023.106494, SU Repository: https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa62766

All Research

Journal Articles

Nolan, L., Embling, R., & Wilkinson, L. (2024). Breadth of substance use is associated with the selection of a larger food portion size via elevated impulsivity. Physiology and Behavior, 283, 114594
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.physbeh.2024.114594, SU Repository: https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa66506
Randall, T., Cousins, A., Neilson, L., Price, M., Hardman, C., & Wilkinson, L. (2024). Sustainable food consumption across Western and Non-Western cultures: A scoping review considering the theory of planned behaviour. Food Quality and Preference, 114, 105086
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.foodqual.2023.105086, SU Repository: https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa65396
Gatzemeier, J., Wilkinson, L., Price, M., & Lee, M. (2024). Self-identified strategies to manage intake of tempting foods: cross-sectional and prospective associations with BMI and snack intake. Public Health Nutrition, 27(1)
https://doi.org/10.1017/s1368980024000697, SU Repository: https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa65871
EMBLING, R., Neilson, L., Mellor, C., Durodola, M., Rouse, N., Haselgrove, A., Shipley, K., Tales, A., & Wilkinson, L. (2024). Exploring consumer beliefs about novel fortified foods: A focus group study with UK-based older and younger adult consumers. Appetite, 193, 107139
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.appet.2023.107139, SU Repository: https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa65078
Embling, R., Price, M., Lee, M., Jones, A., & Wilkinson, L. (2023). Associations between dietary variety, portion size and body weight: prospective evidence from UK Biobank participants. British Journal of Nutrition, 130(7), 1267-1277.
https://doi.org/10.1017/s0007114523000156, SU Repository: https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa62282
Klatzkin, R., Nadel, T., Wilkinson, L., Gaffney, K., Files, H., Gray, Z., Slavich, G., & Wilkinson, L. (2023). Lifetime stressor exposure, eating expectancy, and acute social stress-related eating behavior: A pre-registered study of the emotional eating cycle. Appetite, 185, 106494
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.appet.2023.106494, SU Repository: https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa62766
Playfoot, D., Wilkinson, L., & Mead, J. (2022). Is continuous assessment inclusive? An analysis of factors influencing student grades. Assessment and Evaluation in Higher Education, 48(7), 938-950.
https://doi.org/10.1080/02602938.2022.2150834, SU Repository: https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa61999
Embling, R., Neilson, L., Randall, T., Mellor, C., Lee, M., & Wilkinson, L. (2022). ‘Edible seaweeds’ as an alternative to animal-based proteins in the UK: Identifying product beliefs and consumer traits as drivers of consumer acceptability for macroalgae. Food Quality and Preference, 100, 104613
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.foodqual.2022.104613, SU Repository: https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa59878
Gatzemeier, J., Wilkinson, L., Price, M., & Lee, M. (2022). Identifying weight management clusters and examining differences in eating behaviour and psychological traits: An exploratory study. Appetite, 175, 106039
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.appet.2022.106039, SU Repository: https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa59798
Mellor, C., Embling, R., Neilson, L., Randall, T., Wakeham, C., Lee, M., & Wilkinson, L. (2022). Consumer Knowledge and Acceptance of “Algae” as a Protein Alternative: A UK-Based Qualitative Study. Foods, 11(12), 1703
https://doi.org/10.3390/foods11121703, SU Repository: https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa60152
Wilkinson, L., Rowe, A., Douglas, T., Thirkettle, M., & Nolan, L. (2022). Adult attachment anxiety is associated with night eating syndrome in UK and US-based samples: Two cross-sectional studies. Appetite, 172, 105968
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.appet.2022.105968, SU Repository: https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa59321
Randall, T., Mellor, C., & Wilkinson, L. (2022). A Qualitative Study Exploring Management of Food Intake in the United Kingdom During the Coronavirus Pandemic. Frontiers in Psychology, 13
https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2022.869510, SU Repository: https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa59802
Wilkinson, L., Embling, R., Raynor, H., Brunstrom, J., Higgs, S., & Lee, M. (2022). Multi-component food-items and eating behaviour: What do we know and what do we need to know?. Appetite, 168, 105718
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.appet.2021.105718, SU Repository: https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa58096
Embling, R., Lee, M., Price, M., & Wilkinson, L. (2021). Testing an online measure of portion size selection: a pilot study concerned with the measurement of ideal portion size. Pilot and Feasibility Studies, 7(1)
https://doi.org/10.1186/s40814-021-00908-x, SU Repository: https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa57743
Oldham-Cooper, R., Semple, C., & Wilkinson, L. (2021). Reconsidering a role for attachment in eating disorder management in the context of paediatric diabetes. Clinical Child Psychology and Psychiatry, 26(3), 669-681.
https://doi.org/10.1177/1359104520986215, SU Repository: https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa55887
Randall, T., Wright, P., & Wilkinson, L. (2021). An investigation of consumers’ use of ‘dessert-only’ food retail outlets: a mixed-methods study. Public Health Nutrition, 24(9), 1-10.
https://doi.org/10.1017/s1368980020003146, SU Repository: https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa54907
http://dx.doi.org/10.1017/s1368980020003146
Embling, R., Pink, A., Gatzemeier, J., Price, M., Lee, M., & Wilkinson, L. (2021). Effect of food variety on intake of a meal: a systematic review and meta-analysis. The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, 113(3), 716-741.
https://doi.org/10.1093/ajcn/nqaa352, SU Repository: https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa55546
Buckland, N., Swinnerton, L., Ng, K., Price, M., Wilkinson, L., Myers, A., & Dalton, M. (2021). Susceptibility to increased high energy dense sweet and savoury food intake in response to the COVID-19 lockdown: The role of craving control and acceptance coping strategies. Appetite, 158, 105017
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.appet.2020.105017, SU Repository: https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa55579
Embling, R., Pink, A., Lee, M., Price, M., & Wilkinson, L. (2020). Consumer perception of food variety in the UK: an exploratory mixed-methods analysis. BMC Public Health, 20(1)
https://doi.org/10.1186/s12889-020-09548-x, SU Repository: https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa55178
KOBORI, O., SAWAMIYA, Y., YOSHINAGA, N., ROWE, A., & Wilkinson, L. (2020). INVESTIGATION OF ATTACHMENT ORIENTATION, AND AFFECT REGULATION: USE OF A NOVEL AFFECT REGULATION MAPPING TOOL IN JAPANESE ATHLETES. PSYCHOLOGIA, 62(1), 63-76.
https://doi.org/10.2117/psysoc.2020-b005, SU Repository: https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa52698
Price, M., Higgs, S., Wilkinson, L., Lee, M., Embling, R., Kuberka, P., Hamill, A., Collier, J., Keable-Steer, S., Reitmaier, T., Mukhopadhyay, S., & Lindsay, S. (2020). Construal beliefs moderate the usability and effectiveness of a novel healthy eating mobile app. Physiology & Behavior, 222, 112941
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.physbeh.2020.112941, SU Repository: https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa54316
Douglas, T., Stephens, J., Barry, J., Lee, M., & Wilkinson, L. (2020). The influence of attachment orientation on weight loss, eating behaviour and other health outcomes among patients undergoing bariatric surgery: A scoping review. Appetite, 147, 104504
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.appet.2019.104504, SU Repository: https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa52610
Wilkinson, L., Rowe, A., & Millings, A. (2020). Disorganized attachment predicts body mass index via uncontrolled eating. International Journal of Obesity, 44, 438-446.
https://doi.org/10.1038/s41366-019-0378-0, SU Repository: https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa49867
Gatzemeier, J., Price, M., Wilkinson, L., & Lee, M. (2019). Understanding everyday strategies used to manage indulgent food consumption: A mixed-methods design. Appetite, 136, 70-79.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.appet.2019.01.010, SU Repository: https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa48130
Embling, R., Price, M., Lee, M., & Wilkinson, L. (2019). Food-variety-focused labelling does not increase ideal portion size, expected fullness or snack intake. Food Quality and Preference, 73, 46-55.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.foodqual.2018.12.005, SU Repository: https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa47909
Wilkinson, L., Rowe, A., Robinson, E., & Hardman, C. (2018). Explaining the relationship between attachment anxiety, eating behaviour and BMI. Appetite, 127, 214-222.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.appet.2018.04.029, SU Repository: https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa40028
Wilkinson, L., Rowe, A., Sheldon, C., Johnson, A., Brunstrom, J., & Wilkinson, L. (2017). Disinhibited eating mediates differences in attachment insecurity between bariatric surgery candidates/recipients and lean controls. International Journal of Obesity, 41(12), 1831-1834.
https://doi.org/10.1038/ijo.2017.157, SU Repository: https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa34488
Oldham-Cooper, R., Wilkinson, L., Hardman, C., Rogers, P., & Brunstrom, J. (2017). Presenting a food in multiple smaller units increases expected satiety. Appetite, 118, 106-112.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.appet.2017.07.024, SU Repository: https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa34853
Wilkinson, L. & Brunstrom, J. (2016). Sensory specific satiety: More than ‘just’ habituation?. Appetite, 103, 221-228.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.appet.2016.04.019, SU Repository: https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa27770
Hardman, C., Christiansen, P., & Wilkinson, L. (2016). Using food to soothe: Maternal attachment anxiety is associated with child emotional eating. Appetite, 99, 91-96.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.appet.2016.01.017, SU Repository: https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa25495
Wilkinson, L., Ferriday, D., Bosworth, M., Godinot, N., Martin, N., Rogers, P., & Brunstrom, J. (2016). Keeping Pace with Your Eating: Visual Feedback Affects Eating Rate in Humans. PLOS ONE, 11(2), e0147603
https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0147603, SU Repository: https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa26035
Hinton, E., Brunstrom, J., Fay, S., Wilkinson, L., Ferriday, D., Rogers, P., & de Wijk, R. (2013). Using photography in ‘The Restaurant of the Future’. A useful way to assess portion selection and plate cleaning?. Appetite, 63, 31-35.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.appet.2012.12.008, SU Repository: https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa21045
Wilkinson, L., Rowe, A., Heath, G., & Wilkinson, L. (2013). Eating me up inside: Priming attachment security and anxiety, and their effects on snacking. Journal of Social and Personal Relationships, 30(6), 795-804.
https://doi.org/10.1177/0265407512468371, SU Repository: https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa21020
Wilkinson, L., Hinton, E., Fay, S., Rogers, P., & Brunstrom, J. (2013). The ‘variety effect’ is anticipated in meal planning. Appetite, 60, 175-179.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.appet.2012.10.001, SU Repository: https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa21021
Wilkinson, L., Hinton, E., Fay, S., Ferriday, D., Rogers, P., & Brunstrom, J. (2012). Computer-based assessments of expected satiety predict behavioural measures of portion-size selection and food intake. Appetite, 59(3), 933-938.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.appet.2012.09.007, SU Repository: https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa21022
Brunstrom, J., Burn, J., Sell, N., Collingwood, J., Rogers, P., Wilkinson, L., Hinton, E., Maynard, O., & Ferriday, D. (2012). Episodic Memory and Appetite Regulation in Humans. PLoS ONE, 7(12), e50707
https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0050707, SU Repository: https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa21044
Wilkinson, L., Rowe, A., Bishop, R., Brunstrom, J., & Wilkinson, L. (2010). Attachment anxiety, disinhibited eating, and body mass index in adulthood. International Journal of Obesity, 34(9), 1442-1445.
https://doi.org/10.1038/ijo.2010.72, SU Repository: https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa21023
Wilkinson, L. & Brunstrom, J. (2009). Conditioning ‘fullness expectations’ in a novel dessert. Appetite, 52(3), 780-783.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.appet.2009.02.009, SU Repository: https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa21024

Supervision

Processed With Purpose; Understanding Consumer Trade-Offs and Overlaps Between Ultra-Processed and Sustainable Foods (current)

PhD

Other supervisor: Dr Jennifer Gatzemeier
Research Programme: Food consortium CTP PhD Scholarship: Energy Density and Snacking (current)

PhD
Positive Childhood Experiences and Intimate Relationship Quality (current)

PhD

Other supervisor: Dr Rachael Hunter
Sustainable eating for all: consumer acceptability of sustainable food consumption. (current)

PhD

Other supervisor: Dr Menna Price
Investigating the transition from paediatric to adult services and the management of ongoing care of adults with osteogenesis imperfecta (awarded 2024)

PhD

Other supervisor: Dr Darren Edwards
Exploring the conceptualisation of ‘variety’ and its effects on food intake: A mixed methods approach (awarded 2023)

PhD

Other supervisor: Prof Michelle Lee

Taught Modules

PSY213 Brain and Behaviour

The module provides an in depth look at the complex relationship between brain function (from the level of single neurons through to whole brain systems) and behaviour (of humans and other animals). The module will provide a grounding in the basic principles of learning theory and how these are applied in psychology and neuroscience research. We will explore how the brain responds and adapts to the external environment, the how genes and environment interact and the impact this has on brain function and behaviour in the context of stress, obesity, pain and motivation and emotion. We will also look at how recreational drugs affect the brain and what the consequences of drug taking are for human behaviour.
PSY319 Independent Research Project

Students conduct an independent research project under the supervision of a member of staff. The research topic is decided in conjunction with supervisors and Research topics. Students must design, conduct, analyse and write up a piece of research in order to achieve Graduate Basis for Chartership with the British Psychological Society (BPS). They must also complete an Ethical Considerations Form, showing that they have considered and resolved ethical issues relating to their project, and that they have implemented appropriate best practices for improving the reproducibility of their research.
PSY319W Prosiect Ymchwil Annibynnol

Mae myfyrwyr yn cynnal prosiect ymchwil annibynnol dan oruchwyliaeth aelod o staff. Penderfynir ar bwnc yr ymchwil ar y cyd â goruchwylwyr a phynciau Ymchwil. Rhaid i fyfyrwyr ddylunio, cynnal, dadansoddi ac ysgrifennu darn o ymchwil er mwyn cyflawni Sail Graddedig ar gyfer Siarter gyda Chymdeithas Seicolegol Prydain (BPS). Rhaid iddynt hefyd lenwi Ffurflen Ystyriaethau Moesegol, gan ddangos eu bod wedi ystyried a datrys materion moesegol sy'n ymwneud â'u prosiect, a'u bod wedi gweithredu arferion gorau priodol ar gyfer gwella atgynyrchioldeb eu hymchwil.
PSY325 Independent Research Project - Joint Honours

Students conduct an independent research project under the supervision of a member of staff. The research topic is decided in conjunction with supervisors and research topics. Students must design, conduct, analyse and write up a piece of research in order to achieve Graduate Basis for Chartership with the British Psychological Society (BPS). They must also complete an ethical considerations form, showing that they have considered and resolved ethical issues relating to their project, and that they have implemented appropriate best practices for improving the reproducibility of their research.
PSY325W Prosiect Ymchwil Annibynnol - Anrhydeddau ar y Cyd

Mae myfyrwyr yn cynnal prosiect ymchwil annibynnol dan oruchwyliaeth aelod o staff. Penderfynir ar bwnc yr ymchwil ar y cyd â goruchwylwyr a phynciau ymchwil. Rhaid i fyfyrwyr ddylunio, cynnal, dadansoddi ac ysgrifennu darn o ymchwil er mwyn cyflawni Sail Graddedig ar gyfer Siarter gyda Chymdeithas Seicolegol Prydain (BPS). Rhaid iddynt hefyd lenwi ffurflen ystyriaethau moesegol, gan ddangos eu bod wedi ystyried a datrys materion moesegol sy'n ymwneud â'u prosiect, a'u bod wedi gweithredu arferion gorau priodol ar gyfer gwella atgynyrchioldeb eu hymchwil.
PSY345 Contemporary Issues in Eating Behaviour Research

The module provides an in depth look at the issues being considered by Eating Behaviour researchers today. This module comprises 3 hours per week across five weeks. Five key papers will be covered in a 2 hour interactive lecture (mostly through use of small group discussions and clicker responses) and in the third hour of the week, a 1 hour lecture focused on contemporary research skills. A key paper will be provided for each week, to be read before the lectures so that some discussion can take place. The key papers will cover: 1. Weight stigma 2. Food insecurity 3. Food variety 4. Attachment and overeating and 5. Impulsivity. The supporting research skills lectures will cover 1. Research posters (in preparation for the coursework) 2. Research abstracts and titles 3. Food research in the media 4. Critically examining an introduction 5. Critically examining a discussion. This module should help you to become a critical reader of research papers, enhance skills that will be needed for final year project write-ups and knowledgeable about the psychology of eating behaviour.

Dr Laura Wilkinson

Email address

Twitter Account

Research Links

About

Areas Of Expertise

Publications

Research Highlights

All Research

Journal Articles

Supervision

Processed With Purpose; Understanding Consumer Trade-Offs and Overlaps Between Ultra-Processed and Sustainable Foods (current)

Research Programme: Food consortium CTP PhD Scholarship: Energy Density and Snacking (current)

Positive Childhood Experiences and Intimate Relationship Quality (current)

Sustainable eating for all: consumer acceptability of sustainable food consumption. (current)

Investigating the transition from paediatric to adult services and the management of ongoing care of adults with osteogenesis imperfecta (awarded 2024)

Exploring the conceptualisation of ‘variety’ and its effects on food intake: A mixed methods approach (awarded 2023)

Taught Modules

PSY213 Brain and Behaviour

PSY319 Independent Research Project

PSY319W Prosiect Ymchwil Annibynnol

PSY325 Independent Research Project - Joint Honours

PSY325W Prosiect Ymchwil Annibynnol - Anrhydeddau ar y Cyd

PSY345 Contemporary Issues in Eating Behaviour Research