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Reposted by Anthony Gifford

Annayah M.B. Prosser @annayahprosser.bsky.social · 1d

🛡️ It's dangerous to go alone, take this! ⚔️
Since 2023, I've been working on a collection that explores what the Legend of Zelda video games can teach us about psychology, social science and our environment. Our collection is available open-access here: playstorypress.org/books/the-ps... #videogames

A book cover. Mountains in the background, a rocky outcrop in the foreground with a broadsword sticking out of the rock in the centre. The title reads "The Psychgeist of Pop Culture: The Legend of Zelda, Edited by Annayah M.B. Prosser, PhD.

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Anthony Gifford @giff95.bsky.social · 2d

Never dreamt that I would be able to combine two of my favourite things: The Legend of Zelda and LGBTQ+ Psychology ⚔️ 🏳️‍🌈 🧠 🎮

Thank you to @annayahprosser.bsky.social and @drkowert.bsky.social for this opportunity!

Read my chapter “Smash the pot, break the binary”: works.hcommons.org/records/z0qv...

The Psychgeist of Pop Culture - Legend of Zelda

The Legend of Zelda series captivates millions of players worldwide. We have followed Link, Zelda and Ganon through many quests, timelines and consoles. What can playing the Legend of Zelda games teac...

works.hcommons.org

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Reposted by Anthony Gifford

Jaime Garcia Iglesias @jgarciaiglesias.bsky.social · Sep 8

Amazing review on @nagingtonuom.bsky.social’s The Moral Lessons of Chemsex boom in the LA REVIEW OF BOOKS! @lareviewofbooks.bsky.social

👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻

lareviewofbooks.org/article/crui...

Cruising as Moral Practice | Los Angeles Review of Books

Jordan Osserman reads two recent queer theory books exploring the form and chemistry of sex.

lareviewofbooks.org

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Anthony Gifford @giff95.bsky.social · Aug 29

What’s better than submitting your thesis? Getting your absolute icon to sign said thesis (and read my acknowledgment to her as well ofc 😌)

Anthony is stood next to actress Rosamund Pike with his thesis in hand after she had just signed it.

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Anthony Gifford @giff95.bsky.social · Aug 12

PhD paper #4 published today, in a special issue for studies examining healthcare for Sexual Minority populations. (Just in time for thesis submission 😱)

Key findings show the promise for using gain-framed, narrative messaging to improve PrEP self efficacy.

@ntupsychology.bsky.social

Abstract from my latest paper: Abstract

Background: Despite the clinical efficacy of pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) in preventing HIV, uptake remains suboptimal among men who have sex with men (MSM) in the United Kingdom (UK). Sustaining progress in the PrEP cascade requires more than biomedical availability; it demands effective, psychologically informed interventions that address persistent barriers. Psychological factors, such as medical mistrust, low PrEP self-efficacy, and identity-related processes, continue to undermine engagement. This study tested whether narrative persuasion and message framing could influence these barriers. Method: A sample of 253 MSM was recruited to participate in an online experiment and completed baseline measures of identity resilience before being randomly allocated to either the gain-framed (N = 122) or loss-framed (N = 124) narrative condition and then completing post-manipulation measures of medical mistrust and PrEP self-efficacy. After excluding 7 cases due to ineligibility, data from 246 participants were analysed using mediation analysis. Results: Participants in the gain-framed condition reported lower medical mistrust than those in the loss-framed condition. Medical mistrust was, in turn, associated with lower PrEP self-efficacy. Identity resilience was associated with lower medical mistrust and higher PrEP self-efficacy. Discussion: These findings provide novel causal evidence that gain-framed health narratives can reduce mistrust and indirectly enhance PrEP self-efficacy. Identity resilience also emerges as a key psychological factor influencing trust and behavioural confidence. Conclusions: Interventions to improve and sustain PrEP uptake should combine gain-framed, narrative-based messaging with strategies to bolster identity resilience. Such approaches may address psychosocial barriers more effectively and promote equitable PrEP uptake among MSM.

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Reposted by Anthony Gifford

benjamin weil @benvyle.bsky.social · Jul 17

the condom doctrine is so powerful (and moralising) that some sexual health services will literally communicate things like: "remember, HIV PrEP, doxyPEP, and routine vaccinations for hepatitis A and B, mpox, gonorrhoea, and more are no replacement for a condom!!!!"

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Reposted by Anthony Gifford

Roxane Gay @roxanegay.bsky.social · Jun 19

I will take AI seriously when my smart speaker understands the phrase “original broadway cast recording.”

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Reposted by Anthony Gifford

Liz Highleyman @lizhighleyman.bsky.social · Jun 19

The FDA approved twice-yearly lenacapavir (Yeztugo) for PrEP, making it the longest-acting HIV prevention method. Advocates lauded the eagerly awaited approval but expressed concern that the $28,000 annual price tag could limit access as HIV prevention funding is being slashed in the US & worldwide.

FDA Approves Twice-Yearly Lenacapavir for HIV Prevention

More than 99% of people who received Yeztugo in two large clinical trials remained HIV negative.

www.poz.com

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Anthony Gifford @giff95.bsky.social · Jun 14

PhD Paper #3 published in the Psychology of Sexual and Gender Diversity special issue in Behavioural Science.

A latent profile analysis of PrEP usage among MSM in the U.K.

Endless thanks to Rusi Jaspal, Beth Jones and @daraghmcdermott.bsky.social

@ntupsychology.bsky.social

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Reposted by Anthony Gifford

benjamin weil @benvyle.bsky.social · Jun 11

bravi to the authors of the 2025 BASHH/BHIVA UK PrEP guidelines for recognising that excessive reliance on RCT data necessarily reproduces inequalities for groups already marginalised or minoritised within healthcare. (see: onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10....) /1

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Reposted by Anthony Gifford

The Love Tank CIC @thelovetankcic.bsky.social · Jun 9

New UK guidelines for prescribing doxyPEP for syphilis prevention launched today by @bashhuk.bsky.social

The Love Tank played a key role in community engagement for the guidelines, with @benvyle.bsky.social and @idiosyncraticxl.bsky.social on the writing group.

www.thelovetank.info/news/doxysyph

DoxyPEP for syphilis prevention – new UK guidelines launched — The Love Tank CIC

New guidelines issued today by the British Association of Sexual Health and HIV (BASHH) provides an evidence-based framework for the prescription of doxy PEP to prevent syphilis.

www.thelovetank.info

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Anthony Gifford @giff95.bsky.social · May 23

A good thesis is a done thesis, or so I tell myself! First draft (of many more, I’m sure) ✅

A picture of the first page of my doctoral thesis and a bottle of Bollinger champagne to celebrate

Anthony Gifford @giff95.bsky.social · May 7

Not me. Actually enjoying writing a methods chapter. Couldn’t possibly.

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Anthony Gifford @giff95.bsky.social · Apr 22

So grateful for the opportunity to work on this paper and help present some really interesting findings 😁

Cynthia Graham, Ph.D. @cygraham.bsky.social · Apr 21

Just published: A Theoretical Model for Predicting the Derivation of Sexual Satisfaction in Gay Men Rusi Jaspal et al.
@bashhuk.bsky.social @kinseyinstitute.bsky.social
www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10....

A Theoretical Model for Predicting the Derivation of Sexual Satisfaction in Gay Men

This study tests a theoretical model of sexual satisfaction in gay men that incorporates self and self-with-other schemata, identity processes, and sexual communication behaviors. Structural equati...

www.tandfonline.com

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Anthony Gifford @giff95.bsky.social · Apr 11

Or why can’t we stop normalising “publish and flourish” as the ECR ideal? 🤷‍♂️ It’s exclusionary, uneven across disciplines, and replicates a system many current academics didn’t face. Let’s build research cultures that value care, curiosity, and equity. Critique shouldn’t lead to compliance.

Times Higher Education (THE) @timeshighered.bsky.social · Apr 11

How can you balance the demands of your #PhD thesis with publishing other work to support your #academic career goals? Anjan Pal of @york.ac.uk offers practical strategies for managing both: www.timeshighereducation.com/campus/prepa... #research #academicsky #PhDsky

Preparing for a research-active career during your PhD

How can you balance the demands of your PhD with publishing other work that supports your career goals? This article offers practical strategies for managing both

www.timeshighereducation.com

Reposted by Anthony Gifford

Liam Wignall @liamwignall.bsky.social · Apr 10

CALL FOR SUBMISSIONS! Psychology & Sexuality is putting together a special issue on Sexual Subcultures. You can read the call below. Deadline for abstracts is 2nd June.

think.taylorandfrancis.com/special_issu...

Contemporary Sexual Subcultures: Meanings, Identities, Narratives, and Trends

think.taylorandfrancis.com

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Anthony Gifford @giff95.bsky.social · Apr 5

Thrilled to share our new HIV Anxiety Scale.

This was a true collaborative effort, and I’m so thankful to have worked with the amazing @drliamcahill.bsky.social @daraghmcdermott.bsky.social and Dr Beth Jones to bring this from idea to reality.

doi.org/10.1007/s104...

@ntupsychology.bsky.social

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NTU Psychology @ntupsychology.bsky.social · Mar 31

🌈 Celebrating #TransDayOfVisibility! Dr. Beth Jones and team explore how beliefs about gender shape attitudes toward TGD people. Let's foster inclusivity and amplify voices! ✨📄 Read more: psycnet.apa.org/doiLanding?d...

APA PsycNet

psycnet.apa.org

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Reposted by Anthony Gifford

Willem Stander @willemjstander.bsky.social · Mar 31

Exciting news! @unibirmingham.bsky.social & @inqyr.bsky.social are thrilled to co-host a symposium focused on LGBTQ+ health & resilience. Join us on 22 May 2025 for this important event.

Check out the press release below for more details (incl. a quote from me 😊)

🔗 shorturl.at/SSU7n

University of Birmingham to host INQYR symposium to enhance LGBTQ+ health and resilience - University of Birmingham

A symposium hosted by the University of Birmingham and INQYR, will examine the diverse factors shaping the lives of LGBTQ+ people.

shorturl.at

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Anthony Gifford @giff95.bsky.social · Feb 28

Paper #2 from my PhD published today. It highlights the importance of considering identity resilience when trying to improve PrEP uptake for HIV prevention.

doi.org/10.1111/hiv....

@ntupsychology.bsky.social

Title page of my recently published article: Predicting PrEP acceptability and self‐efficacy among men who have sex with men in the UK: The roles of identity resilience, science mistrust, and stigma

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Reposted by Anthony Gifford

British HIV Association @bhiva.bsky.social · Feb 11

We're pleased to see that the Scottish Medicines Consortium approval of injectable cabotegravir (CAB-LA) for the prevention of HIV on the NHS in Scotland

This new option may help those facing barriers to using oral #PrEP

A significant step forward in #HIV prevention for people living in Scotland 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿

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Reposted by Anthony Gifford

Willem Stander @willemjstander.bsky.social · Jan 26

Delighted to announce that the INQYR UK symposium focused on LGBTQ+ health & well-being will be held in Birmingham on May 22nd - in time for Birmingham Pride! 🏳️‍🌈🏳️‍⚧️

Call for abstracts now open:
🔗 Submission: tinyurl.com/INQYRUK-2025
🗓️Deadline: Feb 28, 2025

Symposium registration will open soon!

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Liam Cahill @drliamcahill.bsky.social · Jan 23

Didn’t notice this until now, but I lowkey feel famous: www.thepinknews.com/2024/09/17/b...

Gay and bisexual men have different levels of body satisfaction, study finds

Body satisfaction over leanness and muscularity from bisexual men to gay men is different, according to a new study.

www.thepinknews.com

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Reposted by Anthony Gifford

Liam Wignall @liamwignall.bsky.social · Jan 21

I'm giving a webinar in a few weeks with Seed Talks on Sexual Wellbeing and Pleasure. Feel free to come along: www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/the-sexual...

Advert for the sexual wellness and pleasure workshop with seed talks

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Anthony Gifford @giff95.bsky.social · Jan 19

From pointing my toes, to publishing prose - my first published article and the first study from my PhD.

Coming to a Google Scholar search near you!

doi.org/10.1080/1941...

@ntupsychology.bsky.social

Title of a journal article by Gifford et al.

Why are PrEP gays always like this… psychosocial influences on UK-based men who have sex with men’s perceptions and use of HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis.

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