Dr Hester Hockin-Boyers from our Department of Sport and Exercise Sciences recently published research into how weightlifting can aid health management in eating disorder recovery.

We sat down with Hester to find out more about her research inspirations and motivations.

Dr Hester Hockin-Boyers

What is your area of research focus?

I am a medical sociologist, so I am interested in the social and cultural dimensions of health and illness. My current focus is on how people in recovery from eating disorders can engage with exercise in ways that support their mental health and wellbeing.

I am also fascinated by digital culture and often approach my research topics through a digital lens. Trends and subcultures I encounter on social media are a regular inspiration for my work!

What got you interested in this area?

I became interested in exercise and eating disorder recovery during my Master’s degree. Out of personal interest, I was spending a lot of time in weightlifting subcultures on social media to learn about weightlifting form and nutrition. I noticed that a lot of women on these platforms were blogging about using weightlifting to recover from an eating disorder. However, I didn't see these experiences reflected in the research literature.

What have you been working on most recently?

My latest paper explores how women who are weightlifting in recovery from eating disorders successfully combine intuitive and tracking-led health management practices during their recovery. These two approaches to health, are often thought of as incompatible. My research paper proposes a new approach, 'intuitive tracking', where these methods are combined. I have a number of other projects in the works, including a paper about the #almondmom trend on TikTok, which I'm hoping to finish over the summer.

What are the key goals of your research?

As a feminist, my research is almost always motivated by a commitment to social justice. One key goal is to improve understandings of health experiences that are often stigmatised and/or pathologised. I feel that women who are struggling with eating disorders are often misunderstood in this way, which is why this set of illnesses is such a focus of my research. 

Another motivator is to encourage researchers to take digital culture seriously as an object of study. I think social media (particularly female-dominated communities and subcultures) can be sometimes seen as a frivolous or unserious space for research and critical reflection. For me, social media is where so much of modern life happens - some people may think that is sad, but I think it is exciting.

Who inspires you, personally and professionally?

During my PhD I spent six weeks at the University of Adelaide working with Professor Megan Warin. I am hugely inspired by her conscientious and empathetic approach to health research. I have very happy memories from the time I spent in Adelaide with Megan and her family - wine tasting in McLaren Vale was a particular highlight.

What does your perfect day off look like?

My perfect day off starts with some form of exercise followed by a massive homemade brunch (eggs, veggie sausages and hashbrowns are a must). I started sewing my own clothes during the pandemic and shopping for fabric is the best part of this hobby, so I'd probably visit some fabric markets in the afternoon. The best way to end the day would be to meet up with some friends in the pub, ideally one with Cornish cider on tap.

Find out more

• Information on eating disorders, and advice on how to access help and support is available via the NHS eating disorder webpage.  You can also talk in confidence to an adviser from eating disorders charity Beat by calling the Beat helpline on 0808 801 0677.
• If you are a member of staff needing advice and/or support in the workplace this can be accessed via the Occupational Health Service. Please visit the Occupational Health SharePoint site for further details.