DUNCAN STEPHENSON
Campaigns, Policy and Communications
CAMPAIGN :
Promoting Positive Body Image
Body image anxiety has been on the rise for some years - with 1 in 4 adults being depressed about their bodies, an explosion in eating disorders, and the emergence of a whole host of industries - from cosmetic surgery to quick-fix diets - promising us the ideal body. Therefore, to raise awareness of the rise in body image anxiety, I led a campaign to get this on the radar of the media, Government, and policy makers.
PROJECT :
All-Party Parliamentary Group on Body Image
Together with former MP Jo Swinson and current MPs Caroline Nokes and Mary Glindon MP, I set up the Body Image APPG. Once established, the group conducted a National Inquiry into the causes and consequences of body image anxiety – summoning witnesses from fashion, sport and fitness, industry, education and academia.
IMAGE : Mary Glindon MP, Caroline Nokes MP, Duncan Stephenson, Jo Swinson MP and Rosi Prescott.
PROJECT :
Male Body Image Research
Almost one third of men would sacrifice a year of life to achieve their ideal body - and one in ten would sacrifice a decade. Those were some of the worrying findings from a major piece of research we conducted to better understand the impact of body image anxiety on the male of the species (particularly amongst younger men).
FILM : Body Confidence video.
FILM : Panel discussion at UCL - 'Gay Men and the Body Beautiful'.
Media Coverage (examples) :
- GUARDIAN - Body Image concerns men more than women
- HUFFINGTON POST - Body Image anxiety in men
- BBC NEWS - Body image: Men 'most unhappy about beer bellies'
- PINK NEWS - Half of gay men would die a year early for the perfect body
- MIRROR - Simon Cowell flaunts his "moobs" as study finds men are more body conscious than ever
PROJECT :
Bodywash
In order to raise awareness of some of the causes and consequences of body image anxiety, I created a short film which was used to support educational lessons on the subject and to promote the campaign more widely.
FILM : 'Bodywash' Campaign video.
PROJECT :
Naked Ambition
As part of efforts to promote more realistic and diverse images associated with health and fitness (and to engage YMCA members), I set up a naked photoshoot at Central YMCA’s prestigious health and fitness facility.
IMAGE : 'Naked Ambition' photoshoot - a fun way to spend an afternoon!
