Alex Penfold

I am a PhD candidate in the School of Psychology, my research involves investigating the experiences of LGBTQIA+ individuals engaging online, and the subsequent effects of this on their mental and physical wellbeing. Through this, I evaluate multiple facets of online content and engagement, including the effects of content surrounding mental health, diets, fitness, and substance use. This research is within the fields of both health psychology and social psychology. My Honours thesis explored the experiences of LGBTQIA+ emerging adults engaging online during the COVID-19 pandemic, and how this affected their identity and its development.

I am interested in qualitative research methodologies, especially reflexive thematic analysis. My research topics of interest involve LGBTQIA+ people (including their wellbeing, group dynamics, and identity development), and the effects of the internet and online communities.