![Georgina Wren BSc, MSc, PhD, AFHEA](https://profiles-cardiff.imgix.net/attachments/575?w=200&h=200&auto=format&crop=faces&fit=crop&q=90")
Dr Georgina Wren
(she/her)
BSc, MSc, PhD, AFHEA
- Available for postgraduate supervision
Teams and roles for Georgina Wren
Lecturer
Lecturer
Overview
My research is largely based around Clinical and Health Psychology, with a focus on reducing healthcare inequalities using behavioural science approaches. I am particularly interested in women's health and the lived experiences of people with long-term health conditions. I use a variety of quantitative and qualitative measures, with expertise in thematic analysis. My current work is focused on exploring how social norms information and supported planning may affect the uptake of bowel cancer screening in the UK.
Publication
2025
- Wren, G., O'Callaghan, P., Zaidi, A., Thompson, A., Humby, T. and Davies, W. 2025. Monitoring heart rhythms in adult males with X-linked ichthyosis using wearable technology: a feasibility study. Archives of Dermatological Research 317, article number: 351. (10.1007/s00403-025-03884-x)
2024
- Wren, G. H. and Davies, W. 2024. Cardiac arrhythmia in individuals with steroid sulfatase deficiency (X linked ichthyosis): candidate anatomical and biochemical pathways. Essays in Biochemistry 68(4), pp. 423-429., article number: EBC20230098. (10.1042/EBC20230098)
- Wren, G., O'Callaghan, P., Zaidi, A., Thompson, A., Humby, T. and Davies, W. 2024. Monitoring heart rhythms in adult males with X-linked ichthyosis using wearable technology: a feasibility study. [Online]. Research Square. Available at: https://www.researchsquare.com/article/rs-5320157/v1
- Wren, G. 2024. Exploring the psychological and physiological issues associated with X-linked ichthyosis. PhD Thesis, Cardiff University.
- Wren, G., Flanagan, J., Underwood, J., Thompson, A., Humby, T. and Davies, W. 2024. Memory, mood and associated neuroanatomy in individuals with steroid sulfatase deficiency (X-linked ichthyosis). Genes, Brain and Behavior 23(3), article number: e12893. (10.1111/gbb.12893)
2023
- Wren, G. et al. 2023. Characterising heart rhythm abnormalities associated with Xp22.31 deletion. Journal of Medical Genetics 60, pp. 636-643. (10.1136/jmg-2022-108862)
2022
- Wren, G. H. and Davies, W. 2022. X-linked ichthyosis: New insights into a multi-system disorder. Skin Health and Disease 2(4), article number: e179. (10.1002/ski2.179)
- Hewitt, R. M. et al. 2022. A mixed methods systematic review of digital interventions to support the psychological health and well-being of people living with dermatological conditions. Frontiers in Medicine (10.3389/fmed.2022.1024879)
- Wren, G. and Mercer, J. 2022. Dismissal, distrust, and dismay: a phenomenological exploration of young women’s diagnostic experiences with endometriosis and subsequent support. Journal of Health Psychology 27(11), pp. 2549-2565. (10.1177/13591053211059387)
- Wren, G., Humby, T., Thompson, A. and Davies, W. 2022. Mood symptoms, neurodevelopmental traits, and their contributory factors in X-linked ichthyosis, ichthyosis vulgaris and psoriasis. Clinical and Experimental Dermatology 47(6), pp. 1097-1108. (10.1111/ced.15116)
- Brcic, L., Wren, G., Underwood, J., Kirov, G. and Davies, W. 2022. Comorbid medical issues in X-linked ichthyosis [Letter]. JID Innovations 2(3), article number: 100109. (10.1016/j.xjidi.2022.100109)
- Wren, G. and Davies, W. 2022. Sex-linked genetic mechanisms and atrial fibrillation risk. European Journal of Medical Genetics 65(4), article number: 104459. (10.1016/j.ejmg.2022.104459)
Articles
- Wren, G., O'Callaghan, P., Zaidi, A., Thompson, A., Humby, T. and Davies, W. 2025. Monitoring heart rhythms in adult males with X-linked ichthyosis using wearable technology: a feasibility study. Archives of Dermatological Research 317, article number: 351. (10.1007/s00403-025-03884-x)
- Wren, G. H. and Davies, W. 2024. Cardiac arrhythmia in individuals with steroid sulfatase deficiency (X linked ichthyosis): candidate anatomical and biochemical pathways. Essays in Biochemistry 68(4), pp. 423-429., article number: EBC20230098. (10.1042/EBC20230098)
- Wren, G., Flanagan, J., Underwood, J., Thompson, A., Humby, T. and Davies, W. 2024. Memory, mood and associated neuroanatomy in individuals with steroid sulfatase deficiency (X-linked ichthyosis). Genes, Brain and Behavior 23(3), article number: e12893. (10.1111/gbb.12893)
- Wren, G. et al. 2023. Characterising heart rhythm abnormalities associated with Xp22.31 deletion. Journal of Medical Genetics 60, pp. 636-643. (10.1136/jmg-2022-108862)
- Wren, G. H. and Davies, W. 2022. X-linked ichthyosis: New insights into a multi-system disorder. Skin Health and Disease 2(4), article number: e179. (10.1002/ski2.179)
- Hewitt, R. M. et al. 2022. A mixed methods systematic review of digital interventions to support the psychological health and well-being of people living with dermatological conditions. Frontiers in Medicine (10.3389/fmed.2022.1024879)
- Wren, G. and Mercer, J. 2022. Dismissal, distrust, and dismay: a phenomenological exploration of young women’s diagnostic experiences with endometriosis and subsequent support. Journal of Health Psychology 27(11), pp. 2549-2565. (10.1177/13591053211059387)
- Wren, G., Humby, T., Thompson, A. and Davies, W. 2022. Mood symptoms, neurodevelopmental traits, and their contributory factors in X-linked ichthyosis, ichthyosis vulgaris and psoriasis. Clinical and Experimental Dermatology 47(6), pp. 1097-1108. (10.1111/ced.15116)
- Brcic, L., Wren, G., Underwood, J., Kirov, G. and Davies, W. 2022. Comorbid medical issues in X-linked ichthyosis [Letter]. JID Innovations 2(3), article number: 100109. (10.1016/j.xjidi.2022.100109)
- Wren, G. and Davies, W. 2022. Sex-linked genetic mechanisms and atrial fibrillation risk. European Journal of Medical Genetics 65(4), article number: 104459. (10.1016/j.ejmg.2022.104459)
Thesis
- Wren, G. 2024. Exploring the psychological and physiological issues associated with X-linked ichthyosis. PhD Thesis, Cardiff University.
Websites
- Wren, G., O'Callaghan, P., Zaidi, A., Thompson, A., Humby, T. and Davies, W. 2024. Monitoring heart rhythms in adult males with X-linked ichthyosis using wearable technology: a feasibility study. [Online]. Research Square. Available at: https://www.researchsquare.com/article/rs-5320157/v1
Research
Research Overview
My research is focused on Clinical and Health Psychology, with a particular interest in the lived experiences of people with long-term health conditions. This includes aspects such as coping, engagement with healthcare, and ageing.
During my PhD, I explored the psychological and physiological issues associated with X-linked ichthyosis (XLI), a rare genetic skin condition. I used a mixed methods approach to investigate the following components of XLI in comparison to other skin disorders and non-affected individuals:
- Mood and neurodevelopmental disorder-associated traits
- Heart-related symptoms and attitudes towards heart screening
- Memory, cognitive function and mood
In collaboration with research students in the group, I also led work to explore experiences of ageing in ichthyosis (publication in press) and to create accessible patient, family, and clinician information leaflets to support diagnosis.
After completing my PhD, I went on to join the Laboratory for Stress and Health Research (STARLab) at the University of Leeds, working alongside Prof. Daryl O'Connor and Prof. Mark Conner. This was a Cancer Research UK-funded project, where I led work evaluating and implementing at scale, behaviour change interventions to improve the uptake of bowel cancer screening. In this study, I co-designed a series of interventions based on the social norms approach and target planning to support individuals in completing their screening kit. This work is currently nearly completion (Spring 2026).
Prior to my PhD, I conducted a number of qualitative studies around experiences of reproductive health conditions such as endometriosis and PCOS.
Funding
Career Development Award (University of Leeds - 2024)
School of Psychology Impact Funding (Cardiff University - 2022)
PhD School of Psychology Studentship (2020-2024)
Teaching
I contribute to teaching on the BSc in Psychology Developmental Psychology module, and Mental Health and Clinical Psychology module, both in Year 2.
At postgraduate level, I am module coordinator for Psychological Therapies module, and contribute to teaching for the Developmental and Clinical Psychology module.
Biography
Lecturer - Cardiff University (2025 - )
Postdoctoral Research Fellow - University of Leeds (2024 - )
Graduate Teaching Assistant - Cardiff University (2020-2024)
Education
Postgraduate Education
PhD (Psychology) Cardiff University 2020-2024
MSc Health Psychology (Distinction) Cardiff Metropolitan University 2019-2020
Undergraduate Education
BSc Psychology (First Class Hons) Cardiff Metropolitan University 2016-2019
Honours and awards
University of Leeds - Career Development Award (December 2024)
Three Minute Thesis (Institution Round) - Winner (June 2024)
Steroids and Nervous System Conference - Travel Fellowship (February 2024)
BPS PsyPAG - Rising Researcher of the Year (June 2022)
European Health Psychology Society - Conference Grant (May 2022)
Enriching Student Life Awards - PGR Graduate Tutor of the Year (May 2022)
Speaking engagements
Widening Access
As a first-generation, LGBTQ+ researcher, I am strongly committed to widening participation and ensuring that Higher Education is accessible to students from all backgrounds. I believe equity and representation should be central to academia, both in how we support students and in how we shape research. Alongside my academic work, I volunteer as a mentor with the Mullany Fund, supporting young people from underrepresented backgrounds to pursue science and healthcare careers, and as a STEM Ambassador, promoting psychology and behavioural science to schools and communities. Through these roles, I aim to create opportunities, reduce barriers, and ensure that the next generation of students feel welcomed, supported, and able to thrive in Higher Education.
Committees and reviewing
BPS Journals Early Career Reviewer Mentoring Programme (2024 - )
Equality, Diversity & Inclusion Committee (School of Psychology - Cardiff University) - Postgraduate Representative (2021-2024)
Research Translation and Impact Network for ECRs - Vice Chair (2022-2024)
Division of Academics, Researchers and Teachers of Psychology - PsyPAG Representative (2021-2023)
CAWR (Cardiff Metropolitan University) Early Career Community - Steering Group (2021-2023)
SkinCare Cymru - Trustee (2021 - 2024)
Cardiff University’s Wellcome Trust Institutional Translation Partnership Award (ITPA) Management Group - ECR representative (2020 - 2023)
Journal of Health Psychology - Reviewer (July 2021-Current)
Journal of Endometriosis and Pelvic Pain Disorders - Reviewer (October 2022-Current)
Contact Details
Research themes
Specialisms
- Clinical and health psychology
- Health psychology
- Behaviour Change
- Qualitative Research
