Staff Profile
Dr Garcia Ashdown-Franks
University Research Fellow
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I am a Research Fellow in York St John's Institute for Health and Care Improvement (IHCI).My research focuses on the relationships between physical activity, mental health, body image and weight stigma.
I obtained a BSc in Kinesiology in 2015 and an MSc in Exercise Sciences in 2018 from the University of Toronto. I was awarded a PhD in Exercise Sciences in 2022 from the University of Toronto, and also spent time as a Visiting Researcher at King's College London, where my research focused on parkrun, mental health and social inclusion. I previously held an externally funded postdoctoral research position at Brunel University London. In 2024, I joined York St John University in the Institute for Health and Care Improvement.
- School – School of Science, Technology and Health
- Email – g.ashdownfranks@yorksj.ac.uk
- Research - View my work in RaY
- Postgraduate Research Supervisor
Further information
Teaching
My teaching experience is in the areas of Sport and Exercise Psychology, Psychology of Body Image, and Research Methods. I also contribute to research-specific training and CPD sessions delivered to staff and postgraduate students.
Research
My research focuses on the relationships between physical activity, mental health, body image and weight stigma. I am experienced in both qualitative (i.e., interviews, ethnography) and quantitative research methods, and I take a critical stance towards health and weight studies. I draw from critical health studies, fat studies, exercise science, psychology and sociology in my work, with the ultimate aim of fostering inclusive physical activity spaces and experiences for individuals of all body shapes, sizes, and weights.
Selected publications
Solmi, M., Basadonne, I., Bodini, L., Rosenbaum, S., Schuch, F. B., Smith, L., ... & Fusar-Poli, P. (2025). Exercise as a transdiagnostic intervention for improving mental health: An umbrella review. Journal of psychiatric research.
Ashdown-Franks, G., Atkinson, M., & Sabiston, C. M. (2024). A Therapeutic Landscape for Some but Not for All: An Ethnographic Exploration of the Bethlem Royal Hospital Parkrun. Sociology of Sport Journal, 1(aop), 1-10.
Mansfield, L., Daykin, N., O'Connell, N. E., Bailey, D., Forde, L., Smith, R., ... & Ashdown‐Franks, G. (2024). A mixed methods systematic review on the effects of arts interventions for children and young people at‐risk of offending, or who have offended on behavioural, psychosocial, cognitive and offending outcomes: A systematic review. Campbell systematic reviews, 20(1), e1377.
Ashdown-Franks, G., Sabiston, C. M., Stubbs, B., Atkinson, M., Quirk, H., Bullas, A., & Haake, S. (2023). Parkrun participation, impact and perceived social inclusion among runners/walkers and volunteers with mental health conditions. Psychology, Health & Medicine, 28(9), 2621-2634.
Ashdown-Franks, G., Sabiston, C. M., Stubbs, B., Atkinson, M., & Stewart, R. (2022). “Triggered by the sound of other runners”:: An exploration of parkrun mentions in mental health hospital records in the UK. Mental Health and Physical Activity.
Ashdown-Franks, G., DeJonge, M., Arbour-Nicitopoulos, K. P., & Sabiston, C. M. (2022). Exploring the feasibility and acceptability of a physical activity programme for individuals with serious mental illness: A case study. Qualitative Research in Sport, Exercise and Health, 14(6), 933-955.
Ashdown-Franks, G., Meadows, A., & Pila, E. (2021). “Negative Things That Kids Should Never Have to Hear”: Exploring Women’s Histories of Weight Stigma in Physical Activity. Journal of sport and exercise psychology, 44(1), 1-13.
Ashdown-Franks, G., & Joseph, J. (2021). Mind Your Business and Leave My Rolls Alone’: A Case Study of Fat Black Women Runners’ Decolonial Resistance. Societies 2021, 11, 95.
Ashdown-Franks, G., Firth, J., Carney, R. et al. Exercise as Medicine for Mental and Substance Use Disorders: A Meta-review of the Benefits for Neuropsychiatric and Cognitive Outcomes. Sports Med 50, 151–170 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1007/s40279-019-01187-6
Kandola, A., Ashdown-Franks, G., Hendrikse, J., Sabiston, C. M., & Stubbs, B. (2019). Physical activity and depression: Towards understanding the antidepressant mechanisms of physical activity. Neuroscience & Biobehavioral Reviews, 107, 525-539.
