Staff Profile
Dr Sophie Westrop
Lecturer in Psychology
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I joined York St John University as a Lecturer in Psychology in February 2024. Prior to this, I was a researcher at the University of Glasgow in the School of Health and Wellbeing, where I held research posts at the Scottish Learning Disabilities Observatory (2021 to 2024), and Health Economics and Health Technology Assessment (2020 to 2022). These posts related to my own interests of promoting the health and wellbeing of adults with learning disabilities, by tackling health and social inequalities, and working with people with lived experiences. My approach to research is shaped by my background in Psychology, which includes a PhD in Psychological Medicine from University of Glasgow, MSc. Health Psychology from University of Stirling, and BSc (Hons) Psychology from the University of the West of Scotland. My research employs a range of methods, with a main focus on complex evidence synthesis and qualitative methodology. However, I am always interested in learning new techniques and open to collaboration.
- School – School of Education, Language and Psychology
- Email – s.westrop@yorksj.ac.uk
Teaching
I currently contribute to teaching on the following modules:
- PSY3006M - Extended Research Project (Module Lead)
- PSY5004M - Assessment of Individual Differences
- PSY6001M - Research Paper (Qualitative Data Sessions)
- PSY7001M - Psychological Research Methods
Research
I am passionate about tackling the health inequalities experienced by adults with learning disabilities, and working with people with lived experiences. This involves understanding in how to improve behavioural factors, such as walking, in order to promote improvements in physical health, mental wellbeing and opportunities for social connectedness. While doing this research, I have particular interest in the role of gender in the opportunities people have for engaging in walking and accessing resources. The methods used in my research are selected to best address project research questions or aims. However, I have particular interest in complex evidence synthesis (e.g., realist evidence synthesis) and qualitative methodology.
Publications and conferences
Publications
Westrop, S. C., Rana, D., Jaiswal, N., Wu, O., Mcgarty, A. M., Melville, C., ... & Germeni, E. (2024). Supporting active engagement of adults with intellectual disabilities in lifestyle modification interventions: a realist evidence synthesis of what works, for whom, in what context and why. Journal of Intellectual Disability Research, e13120. https://doi.org/10.1111/jir.13120
Rana, D., Westrop, S., Jaiswal, N., Germeni, E., McGarty, A., Ells, L., ... & Wu, O. (2024). Lifestyle modification interventions for adults with intellectual disabilities: systematic review and meta‐analysis at intervention and component levels. Journal of Intellectual Disability Research. https://doi.org/10.1111/jir.13098
Almesbehi, T., Harris, L., McGarty, A., Alqallaf, S., Westrop, S., Edwards, C., Dorling, J. & Malkova, D. (2023) Effects of exercise training programmes on fasting gastrointestinal appetite hormones in adults with overweight and obesity: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Appetite, 182, 106-424
Rana, D., Westrop, S., Germeni, E., McGarty, A., Ells, L., Lally, P., ... & Wu, O. (2021). Understanding the effectiveness and underlying mechanisms of lifestyle modification interventions in adults with learning disabilities: protocol for a mixed-methods systematic review. Systematic reviews, 10(1), 1-10.
McGarty, A. M., Westrop, S., & Melville, C. A. (2021). Exploring parents' experiences of promoting physical activity for their child with intellectual disabilities. Journal of Applied Research in Intellectual Disabilities, 34(1), 140-148.
McGarty, A., Jones, N., Rutherford, K., Westrop, S., Sutherland, L., Jahoda, A., & Melville, C. (2021). Feasibility of the Go2Play Active Play intervention for increasing physical and social development in children with intellectual disabilities. Pilot and Feasibility Studies, 7(1), 1-9.
Westrop, S., Melville, C. A., Muirhead, F., & McGarty, A. M. (2019). Gender differences in physical activity and sedentary behaviour in adults with intellectual disabilities: A systematic review and meta‐analysis. Journal of Applied Research in Intellectual Disabilities, 32(6), 1359-1374.
Conference presentations
Scottish Physical Activity Research Connections (SPARC), Edinburgh, November 2023. Poster presentation.
International Association for the Scientific Study of Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (IASSID), Glasgow, August 2019. Poster presentation.
Scottish Physical Activity Research Connections (SPARC), Edinburgh, November 2018. Oral presentation.
