Our blog highlights key developments, research updates, and expert commentary from our team. Alongside academic insights, we also share successes from our group, accessible summaries of our published papers, and reflections on the real-world impact of our work. Whether you're a researcher, practitioner, or simply interested in how psychology shapes health, there's something here for you.
Congratulations to Brian Fenech, who has graduated from the University of Derby with a Distinction in MSc Health Psychology. Brian was also the recipient of the 'Highest Achiever for Postgraduate Programmes' Award. Everyone at the Gaffiero Health Behaviour Research Group extend their congratulations to Brian for his fantastic achievement. Well done!
15/11/25
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On Friday 19th September 2025, Brian Fenech, who recently completed his MSc in Health Psychology at the University of Derby and is now undertaking a PhD at the University, presented his thesis at the EMDOC 2025 Conference — a leading event showcasing postgraduate and early-career research in psychology. His talk, “When confidence matters more than benefits: a health belief model paradox in breast cancer screening intentions”, explored how young women’s confidence in navigating screening procedures may outweigh perceived benefits in shaping intentions to attend screening. This finding has implications for designing more effective breast cancer screening campaigns. All of us at the Gaffiero Health Behaviour Research Group extend our warm congratulations to Brian, a valued member of our research group.
25/09/25
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Sarah Chapman, valued member of the Gaffiero Health Behaviour Research Group has had her work titled "Understanding vaccine hesitancy: The role of fear and message framing in COVID-19 vaccination intention in adults in the UK" accepted for publication in the journal Vaccine (Taylor & Francis). Congratulations on your very first publication! A fantastic achievement, we are all extremely proud of you.
15/11/25
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On 15/07/25 the MSc Health and Forensic Psychology cohorts attended the annual 'Empirical Research Project' Conference. This served as an opportunity for students to present their research in a 3MT format, and listen to a range of internal and external guest speakers highlighting the importance of multidisciplinary working. Pictured are Pavel Nadlicky (Left), Karoline Podbielska (Middle), Dr Daniel Gaffiero (Right) and Pranaya Prakash (Right).
17/07/25
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Former MSc Health Psychology Student Molly Roberts, supervised by Dr. Daniel Gaffiero, has had her work titled "Exploring barriers and facilitators to effective self-management in individuals with Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome: An Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis" accepted for publication in the journal Cogent Psychology (Taylor & Francis). The Gaffiero Health Behaviour Group wish to extend their congratulations to Molly.
03/06/25
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Former UG Psychology Student Alicia Powell, supervised by Dr. Daniel Gaffiero, has had her work titled "Between the Lines: An Interpretation Phenomenological Analysis Exploring Injury, Mental Health and Support in Professional and Semi-Professional Football in the United Kingdom" accepted for publication in the journal Cogent Psychology (Taylor & Francis). The Gaffiero Health Behaviour Group wish to extend their congratulations to Alicia for this fantastic outcome, and wish her the very best for the future.
17/07/25
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On June 20th, 2025, the MHPN held their 20th Annual Conference titled 'Building the Future of Health Psychology'. The event was hugely successful with an abundance of positive feedback from attendees. A huge well done to the MHPN committee which features a number of members of the Gaffiero Health Behaviour Research Group including Stephanie Davey (Co-Chair), Dr Daniel Gaffiero (Vice Chair & Treasurer) and Brian Fenech (Membership Lead).
21/05/25
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Why did some parents decline the COVID-19 vaccine for their children, despite vaccinating themselves? In an interview with Vaccines Today, MSc graduate Stephanie Davey explores this question through her research using the Health Belief Model.
16/11/23
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On June 5th, 2025, the University of Derby came alive with celebration as the annual Union Education Awards took centre stage. A standout moment of the evening was the continued recognition of Dr. Daniel Gaffiero, whose unwavering commitment to student success was once again celebrated. After being honoured last year as Personal Academic Tutor of the Year, Dr. Gaffiero was proud to receive this year’s award for Postgraduate Research Supervisor of the Year.
21/05/25
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HPV vaccination is a vital tool in preventing cancers that affect all genders — yet uptake among boys in the UK remains below target. Our latest commentary explores why. Historical framing of HPV as a “girls’ vaccine,” low awareness of boys’ eligibility, and barriers in school-based delivery have all contributed to unequal coverage. Misconceptions, limited teacher training, and the underuse of healthcare professionals such as GPs, dentists, and pharmacists further widen the gap. We propose gender-inclusive messaging, streamlined consent processes, and digital tools to better support parents and improve uptake. Our ongoing research into parental attitudes toward vaccinating boys aged 9–12 will help shape future interventions and policy to achieve true gender equity in HPV protection. This commentary was authored by Dr Daniel Gaffiero, Stephanie Davey, Amelia Dytham, Rebecca Cotton, Rahim Hussein and Dr Michaela Christodoulaki.
11/11/25
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William Colgrave has had his undergraduate thesis titled "Impact of menu calorie labelling on hypothetical meal choices in the United Kingdom: An exploration of potential public health benefit versus risk for disordered eating harm" accepted for publication in the journal Advances in Public Health (Wiley). The rest of the Gaffiero Health Behaviour Group wish to extend their congratulations to William for this significant achievement.
02/09/25
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Congratulations to Brian Fenech, who has graduated from the University of Derby with a Distinction in MSc Health Psychology. Brian was also the recipient of the 'Highest Achiever for Postgraduate Programmes' Award. Everyone at the Gaffiero Health Behaviour Research Group extend their congratulations to Brian for his fantastic achievement. Well done!
15/11/25
On Friday 19th September 2025, Brian Fenech, who recently completed his MSc in Health Psychology at the University of Derby and is now undertaking a PhD at the University, presented his thesis at the EMDOC 2025 Conference — a leading event showcasing postgraduate and early-career research in psychology. His talk, “When confidence matters more than benefits: a health belief model paradox in breast cancer screening intentions”, explored how young women’s confidence in navigating screening procedures may outweigh perceived benefits in shaping intentions to attend screening. This finding has implications for designing more effective breast cancer screening campaigns. All of us at the Gaffiero Health Behaviour Research Group extend our warm congratulations to Brian, a valued member of our research group.
25/09/25
Sarah Chapman, valued member of the Gaffiero Health Behaviour Research Group has had her work titled "Understanding vaccine hesitancy: The role of fear and message framing in COVID-19 vaccination intention in adults in the UK" accepted for publication in the journal Vaccine (Taylor & Francis). Congratulations on your very first publication! A fantastic achievement, we are all extremely proud of you.
15/11/25
On 15/07/25 the MSc Health and Forensic Psychology cohorts attended the annual 'Empirical Research Project' Conference. This served as an opportunity for students to present their research in a 3MT format, and listen to a range of internal and external guest speakers highlighting the importance of multidisciplinary working. Pictured are Pavel Nadlicky (Left), Karoline Podbielska (Middle), Dr Daniel Gaffiero (Right) and Pranaya Prakash (Right).
17/07/25
Former MSc Health Psychology Student Molly Roberts, supervised by Dr. Daniel Gaffiero, has had her work titled "Exploring barriers and facilitators to effective self-management in individuals with Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome: An Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis" accepted for publication in the journal Cogent Psychology (Taylor & Francis). The Gaffiero Health Behaviour Group wish to extend their congratulations to Molly.
03/06/25
Former UG Psychology Student Alicia Powell, supervised by Dr. Daniel Gaffiero, has had her work titled "Between the Lines: An Interpretation Phenomenological Analysis Exploring Injury, Mental Health and Support in Professional and Semi-Professional Football in the United Kingdom" accepted for publication in the journal Cogent Psychology (Taylor & Francis). The Gaffiero Health Behaviour Group wish to extend their congratulations to Alicia for this fantastic outcome, and wish her the very best for the future.
17/07/25
On June 20th, 2025, the MHPN held their 20th Annual Conference titled 'Building the Future of Health Psychology'. The event was hugely successful with an abundance of positive feedback from attendees. A huge well done to the MHPN committee which features a number of members of the Gaffiero Health Behaviour Research Group including Stephanie Davey (Co-Chair), Dr Daniel Gaffiero (Vice Chair & Treasurer) and Brian Fenech (Membership Lead).
21/05/25
Why did some parents decline the COVID-19 vaccine for their children, despite vaccinating themselves? In an interview with Vaccines Today, MSc graduate Stephanie Davey explores this question through her research using the Health Belief Model.
16/11/23
On June 5th, 2025, the University of Derby came alive with celebration as the annual Union Education Awards took centre stage. A standout moment of the evening was the continued recognition of Dr. Daniel Gaffiero, whose unwavering commitment to student success was once again celebrated. After being honoured last year as Personal Academic Tutor of the Year, Dr. Gaffiero was proud to receive this year’s award for Postgraduate Research Supervisor of the Year.
21/05/25
HPV vaccination is a vital tool in preventing cancers that affect all genders — yet uptake among boys in the UK remains below target. Our latest commentary explores why. Historical framing of HPV as a “girls’ vaccine,” low awareness of boys’ eligibility, and barriers in school-based delivery have all contributed to unequal coverage. Misconceptions, limited teacher training, and the underuse of healthcare professionals such as GPs, dentists, and pharmacists further widen the gap. We propose gender-inclusive messaging, streamlined consent processes, and digital tools to better support parents and improve uptake. Our ongoing research into parental attitudes toward vaccinating boys aged 9–12 will help shape future interventions and policy to achieve true gender equity in HPV protection. This commentary was authored by Dr Daniel Gaffiero, Stephanie Davey, Amelia Dytham, Rebecca Cotton, Rahim Hussein and Dr Michaela Christodoulaki.
11/11/25
William Colgrave has had his undergraduate thesis titled "Impact of menu calorie labelling on hypothetical meal choices in the United Kingdom: An exploration of potential public health benefit versus risk for disordered eating harm" accepted for publication in the journal Advances in Public Health (Wiley). The rest of the Gaffiero Health Behaviour Group wish to extend their congratulations to William for this significant achievement.
02/09/25