About

I am a registered Health Psychologist (HCPC PYL048569) and Senior Lecturer in Health Psychology. My research and practice focuses on quality of life in women's health, particularly Polyendocrine Metabolic Ovarian Syndrome (PMOS), previously known as Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS). 

Research interests

I have a particular research focus on Polyendocrine Metabolic Ovarian Syndrome (PMOS) across the Lifespan. My research in this area focuses on the experience of the condition, its impact on quality of life, and also its association with psychological distress and mental health.

My current research projects in this area explore PMOS and mental health, including non-suicidal self-injury and emotion regulation; adolescent experiences and the experience of PMOS through menopause. 

I currently supervise several PhD students, and I am open to expressions of interest from students wishing to self-fund projects in women's health.

Recent publications

• Adshead, C., Sheffield, D., Fido, D., Lagojda, L., Kyrou, I., Randeva, H. S., Williams, S., & Kite, C. (2026). Psychological Interventions for Women with Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS): A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Randomised and Non-Randomised Controlled Trials. Psychology International, 8(1), 15. https://doi.org/10.3390/psycholint8010015
• Shiells, K., Williams, S., Hallam, J., & Jackson, J. (2024). 'You have to be guided by yourself, your feelings and your child': Women's experiences of weaning after breastfeeding beyond infancy. The Journal of Health Visiting, 12(1). https://doi.org/10.12968/johv.2024.12.1.30
• Allen, S., Williams, S., Hallam, J., & Jackson, J. (2023). Breastfeeding experiences of women who have survived intimate partner violence. The Journal of Health Visiting, 11(5). https://doi.org/10.12968/johv.2023.11.5.204
• Robinson, S., Williams, S., Hallam, J., & Jackson, J. (2023). Exploring the lived experiences of mothers of extremely preterm infants within the UK: An interpretative phenomenological analysis. The Journal of Health Visiting, 11(2). https://doi.org/10.12968/johv.2023.11.2.72
• Williams, S., Fido, D., & Sheffield, D. (2022). Polycystic Ovary Syndrome and Non-Suicidal Self Injury: A community-based study. Healthcare, 10(6), 118. https://doi.org/10.3390/healthcare10061118
• Fido, D., & Williams, S. (2022). A comparison of the manifestation of psychopathic traits between women with and without Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS): A brief report. The Journal of Concurrent Disorders. https://doi.org/10.54127/UQLZ5455
• Khan, S., Holland, F., Williams, S., & Montague, J. (2019). Dispositive Analysis: Overview and proposed approach. Qualitative Methods in Psychology Bulletin, (28).
• Williams, S., Sheffield, D., & Knibb, R. (2018). The Polycystic Ovary Syndrome Quality of Life (PCOSQOL) Scale: development and preliminary validation. Health Psychology Open, 5(2). doi: 10.1177/2055102918788195
• Williams, S., Sheffield, D., & Knibb, R. (2018). Analyzing the Impact of Polycystic Ovary Syndrome on Quality of Life using Photovoice methods. SAGE Research Methods Cases, Part 2. doi: 10.4135/9781526439352
• Williams, S., Sheffield, D., & Knibb, R. (2015). 'Everything's from the inside out with PCOS': Exploring women's experiences of living with polycystic ovary syndrome and co-morbidities through Skype interviews. Health Psychology Open, 1-10. doi: 10.1177/2055102915603051
• Williams, S., Sheffield, D., & Knibb, R. (2014). A snapshot of the lives of women with Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS): A photovoice investigation. Journal of Health Psychology. doi: 10.1177/1359105314547941

Membership of professional bodies

I am a member of the following professional bodies:

Health and Care Professions Council

• Registered Health Psychologist

Androgen-Excess and PCOS Society

• Member

British Psychological Society

• Associate Fellow and Chartered Member of the BPS 
• Full member of the Division of Health Psychology 
• Member of the Qualitative Methods in Psychology Section
• Committee Member on the Undergraduate Education Committee 

The Higher Education Academy

• Fellow of Higher Education Academy

Professional interests

I am co-lead of the Polyendocrine Metabolic Ovarian Syndrome (PMOS) Research Network UK and Ireland. We meet quarterly online, if you would like to join our next meeting please email me on s.williams3@derby.ac.uk. 

Qualifications

• BSc (Hons) Psychology and Criminology - Nottingham Trent University
• MSc Health Psychology - University of Derby
• PhD Health Psychology - University of Derby
• Professional Doctorate Health Psychology - University of Staffordshire

Teaching responsibilities

My teaching is focused within health psychology and qualitative methods. Often focusing on women's health (including maternal health) and long-term conditions. I also supervise research project students in these areas at both undergraduate and postgraduate levels. I mostly teach in online programmes, including:

• BSc (Hons) Psychology
•  MSc Health Psychology

Courses

• Psychology BSc (Hons) (online)
• Psychology University Certificate (online)