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Daryl O’Connor

@daryloconnor.bsky.social
1.1K followers 189 following 391 posts

Professor of Psychology, University of Leeds. Views are my own. Editor, Cogent Psychology. Associate Editor, Biopsychosocial Science & Medicine. Laboratory for Stress & Health Research sites.google.com/site/doconnorlab

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Daryl O’Connor @daryloconnor.bsky.social · 30/09/2026
Sad news. Esther Rantzen has died. What an incredible human, and a matchless campaigner. The world needs more Esther Rantzens. #RIP www.bbc.co.uk/news/live/cq...
bbc.co.uk
Dame Esther Rantzen dies aged 86
Her family paid tribute to her in a statement calling her the "most wonderful mother" and a "cherished grandmother".
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Daryl O’Connor @daryloconnor.bsky.social · 29/09/2026
Excellent conference speech by @andyburnham.bsky.social. Full of vision, optimism, honesty & exciting policies. Not least the landmark proposal for a National Care Service. #Labour2026 #LabourConference2026
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Daryl O’Connor @daryloconnor.bsky.social · 27/09/2026
Great interview by the PM on @laurak.bsky.social but can someone brief @andyburnham.bsky.social that the Good Friday Agreement will be 30 years old in 2028 and not next year :-).
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The Cochrane Collaboration @cochrane.org · 24/09/2026
INSPECT-SR – a tool for assessing the trustworthiness of randomized controlled trials – has been published today in @bmj.com, giving researchers a structured way to identify problematic studies before they're included in systematic reviews. 🔗 www.cochrane.org/about-us/new... #ResearchIntegrity
“Systematic reviews are only as credible as the studies they include.” — phrased as a Cochrane senior research integrity editor; a magnifying glass rests on stacked papers in the background to emphasize careful scrutiny of research.
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Daryl O’Connor @daryloconnor.bsky.social · 24/09/2026
An excellent inaugural University of Leeds School of Psychology Annual Research Lecture delivered by Bhismadev Chakrabarti entitled “Autism in and outside the lab: Insights from social reward responsivity”. An impressive programme of important research
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David A. Sbarra @dsbarra.bsky.social · 22/09/2026
Great paper alert!
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Daryl O’Connor @daryloconnor.bsky.social · 22/09/2026
Interested in the psychology of persuasion? Then check out this neat paper by my colleague, Keven Joyal-Desmarais on motivational matching-based persuasion. www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10....
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Daryl O’Connor @daryloconnor.bsky.social · 15/09/2026
I’m back as studio guest with the brilliant Claudia Hammond in the latest episode of BBC Radio 4’s All in the Mind. We explore how music affects the brain, the effects of slow-paced breathing and much more. And there’s a very special celebrity guest too… 👀 www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/...
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Daryl O’Connor @daryloconnor.bsky.social · 14/09/2026
Current ‘outside’ office view - Isaac Newton @ the British Library
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Daryl O’Connor @daryloconnor.bsky.social · 11/09/2026
This is so disappointing :-( www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
bbc.co.uk
MPs vote against fresh attempt to legalise assisted dying
The proposed law sought to introduce one of the biggest societal changes in recent years.
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Daryl O’Connor @daryloconnor.bsky.social · 02/09/2026
Excellent presentations today by two of our brilliant PhD students at the 40th European Health Psychology Society in Paphos. Well done Ellen Frost and Sophie Höfels :-). #ehps2026
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Daryl O’Connor @daryloconnor.bsky.social · 01/09/2026
Beautiful location for the 40th European Health Psychology Society conference in Paphos and brilliant opening keynote by @profjanewalsh.bsky.social. An exciting rest of week beckons……#EHPS2026
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Daryl O’Connor @daryloconnor.bsky.social · 29/08/2026
Pulp were simply outstanding in Manchester last night :-)
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Daryl O’Connor @daryloconnor.bsky.social · 28/08/2026
Definition of childish tantrum: the words “Lake America” ;-)
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Daryl O’Connor @daryloconnor.bsky.social · 26/08/2026
This is quite the story. Game changer? www.theguardian.com/technology/2...
theguardian.com
Meta settles major US trial over teen social media addiction for up to $17bn
Tech company agrees to create further protections for teen users amid accusations of harming children with products
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Daryl O’Connor @daryloconnor.bsky.social · 23/08/2026
A balanced, sensible and useful article on the debate around how autism is defined. Thoughtful and nuanced - well worth a read. www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
bbc.co.uk
A split in the spectrum? The ongoing battle to define autism
There is a continuing row over whether it matters if such a broad spectrum of people are defined as having autism
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Daryl O’Connor @daryloconnor.bsky.social · 20/08/2026
US Senator Jon Ossoff @ossoff.bsky.social is my new favourite politician :-). Asking all the right questions & doing his best to hold the current administration to account. Keep up the good work!
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Daryl O’Connor @daryloconnor.bsky.social · 17/08/2026
This was on my to-read list, then annual leave got in the way. "When Psychology Went to War With Itself" by @minzlicht.bsky.social I remember these crazy days well...... www.speakandregret.michaelinzlicht.com/p/the-replic...
speakandregret.michaelinzlicht.com
When Psychology Went to War With Itself
A month ago, someone shoved me into a time machine.
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Daryl O’Connor @daryloconnor.bsky.social · 15/08/2026
Desperately sad news. Here’s hoping lessons can be learned and some good can come out of this awful tragedy. RIP Jason Arday.
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Daryl O’Connor @daryloconnor.bsky.social · 14/08/2026
Great work @countbinface.bsky.social. And well done for turning up to the results, unlike the cowardly leader of Reform.
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Daryl O’Connor @daryloconnor.bsky.social · 11/08/2026
It breaks all the rules, but this Irish Coffee, Dominican Republic style, ages (within minutes) rather well 😞.
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Daryl O’Connor @daryloconnor.bsky.social · 09/08/2026
Holiday read #4 is shaping up nicely 🙂 I’ve watched many of the docs & read quite a bit on Scientology, but wow, the fundamentals are even more bonkers than I’d realised, as is Hubbard’s (alleged) highly questionable backstory. The psychology of high-control groups makes for fascinating reading.
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Daryl O’Connor @daryloconnor.bsky.social · 31/07/2026
This is very cool. Our latest paper is the 6 millionth index by APA PsycInfo :-) www.linkedin.com/posts/effect...
linkedin.com
APA PsycNet | APA Publishing
Today, an article in Health Psychology—"Effects of self-compassion on stress and health behaviors in daily life: A randomized controlled trial"—marks the 6 millionth record indexed in APA PsycInfo. AP...
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Daryl O’Connor @daryloconnor.bsky.social · 31/07/2026
Holiday read #1 done - and my first foray into Kindle-dom 😊. Another excellent book by Suzanne O’Sullivan, making a compelling case against overdiagnosis and the risks of over-medicalisation. Plenty of food for thought, all while enjoying the Dominican Republic climes.
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Daryl O’Connor @daryloconnor.bsky.social · 30/07/2026
Sunrise over the Dominican Republic 🇩🇴
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Daryl O’Connor @daryloconnor.bsky.social · 29/07/2026
Glen Hansard has died. Shocking news. How sad. What a great musician. RIP 😞.
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Daryl O’Connor @daryloconnor.bsky.social · 26/07/2026
Just watched The Odyssey and it absolutely didn’t disappoint. One word sums it up: epic. Well worth 3 hours of your time :-).
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Daryl O’Connor @daryloconnor.bsky.social · 24/07/2026
Popped to see this in between meetings earlier this week - the London Mithraeum - a Roman Temple of Mithras plus lots of Roman artefacts. Well worth a visit (& near Cannon St or Bank tube stations)
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Daryl O’Connor @daryloconnor.bsky.social · 23/07/2026
Fancy joining a vibrant, dynamic & collegiate School of Psychology? We've got three lectureships available, and it be great to see applications from health psychology colleagues. Deadline 5th August www.jobs.ac.uk/job/DSE550/l...
jobs.ac.uk
Lecturer (Teaching and Research) in Psychology (Three Posts) at University of Leeds
Looking for a new job opportunity in academia? Check out this job opening for a Lecturer (Teaching and Research) in Psychology (Three Posts) on jobs.ac.uk!
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Daryl O’Connor @daryloconnor.bsky.social · 19/07/2026
Outstanding work Spain :-). Deserved winners!
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Daryl O’Connor @daryloconnor.bsky.social · 18/07/2026
Important reminder: if you publish, you should review
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Daryl O’Connor @daryloconnor.bsky.social · 15/07/2026
Graduation day fun, and lovely to see @bbcstever.bsky.social - BBC’s Russia Editor & Leeds graduate - receive his well deserved @universityofleeds.bsky.social honorary degree with an inspiring & uplifting speech
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Daryl O’Connor @daryloconnor.bsky.social · 15/07/2026
*NEW* “Effects of stress and emotional distress on smoking and vaping: A systematic review and meta-analysis" 462 studies with a combined sample size of nearly 10 million participants! A gargantuan effort led by Yitong Lin, one of our brilliant PhD students. www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10....
tandfonline.com
Effects of stress and emotional distress on smoking and vaping: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Numerous empirical studies have examined relationships between stress, emotional distress, and (e-)cigarette use. However, there are limited meta-analyses of these relationships. This review and me...
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Daryl O’Connor @daryloconnor.bsky.social · 13/07/2026
A well-researched BBC Science Focus feature exploring our work on stress-induced eating, cortisol, effective interventions, and the science behind why stress shapes our eating behaviour. Makes for an engaging and informative read. www.sciencefocus.com/the-human-bo...
sciencefocus.com
Stress is giving you belly fat. Here’s the best way to reduce your cortisol levels | BBC Science Focus Magazine
The internet has exploded with claims that stress hormones lead to belly fat, but is cortisol actually responsible?
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Richard Allen @richjallen.bsky.social · 09/07/2026
Three new lectureship positions available at the School of Psychology, University of Leeds: www.jobs.ac.uk/job/DSE550/l...
jobs.ac.uk
Lecturer (Teaching and Research) in Psychology (Three Posts) at University of Leeds
Discover an exciting academic career path as a Lecturer (Teaching and Research) in Psychology (Three Posts) at jobs.ac.uk. Don't miss out on this job opportunity - apply today!
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Open Research Leeds @openresleeds.bsky.social · 09/07/2026
Entrained and heading back over the Pennines for day 2 #ukrn2026
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Nick Sheppard @nickshepp.bsky.social · 09/07/2026
Here’s when I handed over the *wooden* (not glass!) trophy to @emrinke.bsky.social #ukrn2026
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Daryl O’Connor @daryloconnor.bsky.social · 08/07/2026
Lovely final session with the current leads for each of the @ukrepro.bsky.social Open Research Programme strands. A sector changing research programme still yielding enormous benefits!
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UK Reproducibility Network @ukrepro.bsky.social · 08/07/2026
Really grateful for @bpsofficial.bsky.social and their contribution to the UKRN conference, both as a sponsor and as collaborators. Thank you!
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Daryl O’Connor @daryloconnor.bsky.social · 08/07/2026
What a fantastic @bpsofficial.bsky.social sponsored symposium at @ukrepro.bsky.social entitled “Supportive and supported: A BPS symposium championing organisational action for Open Science” @richardstephens.bsky.social @maddipow.bsky.social Peter Branney & David A Ellis & Rebecca Harkin
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Daryl O’Connor @daryloconnor.bsky.social · 08/07/2026
Excellent @ukrepro.bsky.social (UKRN) Retreat yesterday hosted by the The University of Manchester culminating with an evening of thoroughly entertaining improv theatre. Excited for Day 1 of UKRN’s inaugural conference soon.
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Daryl O’Connor @daryloconnor.bsky.social · 05/07/2026
Pioneer of ‘extreme male brain’ theory of autism now says phrase unhelpful www.theguardian.com/society/2026...
theguardian.com
Pioneer of ‘extreme male brain’ theory of autism now says phrase unhelpful
Exclusive: Prof Simon Baron-Cohen says his language was misunderstood and it is a myth that autistic people lack empathy
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Daryl O’Connor @daryloconnor.bsky.social · 04/07/2026
Art is Good for the Soul It was a busy week but still managed to catch some Hockney, Turner, Bacon, Ofili, and more at the wonderful Tate Britain 🙂
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British Psychological Society @bpsofficial.bsky.social · 03/07/2026
A few minutes to have your say. Voting is now open for the next BPS President-Elect. It's your chance to help choose who will represent the Society over the coming years. Find out more about the candidates and vote now: www.bps.org.uk/election-2026
Text reads: Vote for President-Elect Members can easily vote online 1 Visit www.mi-vote.com/secure/bps 2 Enter unique voting code that was emailed from MI-Voice 3 Choose who to vote for www.bps.org.uk/elections-2026 Voting closes 22 July noon BPS logo Orange graphic with black and white text and a black corner banner
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Alexander Clarkson @aphclarkson.bsky.social · 01/07/2026
This was also a predictable outcome years ago yet senior leadership teams in UK universities and Whitehall were in denial about the risks of it happening until only a few weeks ago
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Adam Bienkov @adambienkov.bsky.social · 28/06/2026
So it turns out the massive scandal here is that Bridget Phillipson's mum bought a council house for £9k in 1990 and then sold it *33 years* later for £99k. That's the entire story
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Daryl O’Connor @daryloconnor.bsky.social · 19/06/2026
Congratulations to Heather Buchanan for delivering such an outstanding Inaugural Lecture last night and for taking us on a wonderful career journey. Witty, engaging and packed with great science. Thanks too for the lovely celebration afterwards (& to Neil Coulson for the arrival drinks)
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Daryl O’Connor @daryloconnor.bsky.social · 16/06/2026
Many congratulations to our excellent PhD student, Jane (Jinyi) Liu, who successfully defended her PhD thesis yesterday (and had one of its papers accepted mid-viva). Well done Jane! Many thanks to Angel Chater & Chris Keyworth for examining the thesis & providing such a positive viva experience.
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Daryl O’Connor @daryloconnor.bsky.social · 12/06/2026
Sad news. Love his work. A decent innings and a helluva legacy!
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Daryl O’Connor @daryloconnor.bsky.social · 09/06/2026
Thanks Jon. That’s very kind :-).
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