Dr Phillip Gray
School of Health & Society
Current positions
Lecturer Nutrition& Exercise as Medicine
Biography
Dr Phillip Gray is a Lecturer at the University of Salford, teaching on the BSc Sport and Exercise Science and MSc Clinical Exercise Physiology programmes. His teaching focuses on lifestyle medicine, behaviour change, and research methods. He also supervises MPhil and PhD students.
Phillip’s research focuses on the psychological and behavioural aspects of physical activity and weight management, including motivation, self-efficacy, and the adoption and maintenance of health behaviours. His work encompasses the co-design, development, and evaluation of interventions and services, alongside research exploring participants’ experiences, barriers, and facilitators to engagement.
His current research includes the development and evaluation of student-led behavioural weight management provision, participants’ experiences of weight management programmes, and longer-term support for maintaining behaviour change following completion of weight management programmes. His wider interests include the sources of self-efficacy for physical activity, compensatory health behaviours, positive psychology, resistance training participation among adults living with obesity, and the psychological and behavioural aspects of weight loss medication use. Phillip uses quantitative, qualitative, and mixed-methods approaches to research, including interviews, focus groups, surveys, and intervention evaluation.
Phillip completed his PhD in Exercise Psychology at Ulster University in 2016. His PhD research examined the promotion and maintenance of physical activity among older adults, including the application of psychological theory and behaviour change techniques, and the development and validation of a measure of physical activity compensatory behaviours. He previously worked as a Research Associate at the University of Manchester and as an Analyst at Greater Manchester Sports Partnership, contributing to research informing physical activity promotion and service delivery.
Phillip welcomes MPhil and PhD enquiries aligned with his research interests, particularly projects examining the psychological and behavioural aspects of physical activity and weight management. Supervision opportunities are available for both self-funded students and those applying through the university's scholarship schemes.
Areas of Research
1. Psychological and behavioural aspects of physical activity and weight management
2. Motivation, self-efficacy, and the adoption and maintenance of health behaviours
3. Co-design, development and evaluation of behavioural weight management interventions
4. Participants’ experiences of exercise and weight management provision
5. Longer-term support following weight management programmes
6. Psychological determinants of resistance training in weight management
7. Psychological and behavioural aspects of weight loss medication use
8. Compensatory health behaviours
9. Positive psychology and its application to weight management
10. Quantitative, qualitative and mixed-methods projects within these areas
Areas of Supervision
I particularly welcome PhD and MPhil enquiries focused on the topics listed below. I am also open to discussing other exercise or weight management projects with a psychological or behaviour change focus. Please email me to discuss potential projects and supervision opportunities.
1. Psychology of physical activity and weight management participation
2. Sources of self-efficacy for exercise (aerobic and resistance training) among adults living with obesity
3. Psychological determinants of resistance training among adults living with obesity
4. Psychological and behavioural responses to weight loss medication use among adults living with obesity
5. Compensatory health beliefs and behaviour among adults living with obesity
6. The application of character strengths and positive psychology in behavioural weight management programmes
7. Long-term support following behavioural weight management programmes
8. Peer mentoring in behavioural weight management programmes
9. Digital communication and online peer support in behavioural weight management programmes
Lifestyle Medicine (L5 & L6)
Encouraging the Self-Management of Healthy Lifestyle Behaviours (L7)
Research Methods (Level 5)
Encouraging Healthy Lifestyles through Behaviour Change (L7)
Qualifications
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Postgraduate Certificate in Academic Practice
2019 - 2020 -
Exercise Psychology
2012 - 2016 -
Physical Activity and Population Health
2010 - 2011 -
Sport and Exercise Science
2007 - 2010
Publications
- Children's motivation for moderate-to-vigorous physical activity during the Daily Mile: A theory of planned behaviour perspective
- A qualitative investigation of physical activity compensation among older adults
- Motives and Barriers to Physical Activity Among Older Adults of Different Socioeconomic Status
- The Effectiveness and Perceptions of Three Moderate Intensity Walking Cadence Aids and their Effects on Affective States: A Mixed Methods Study.
- Empowerment in Obesity and Behavioral Weight-Management Programmes: A Scoping Review.