Professor Jason C. G. Halford is a British psychologist and a leading researcher in obesity, appetite, and eating behaviour. He is widely recognised for his contributions to understanding the biological and psychological mechanisms that influence food intake and body weight, as well as for his involvement in developing interventions to address obesity at both individual and population levels. Jason’s research spans multiple areas within obesity science, including Appetite regulation and eating behaviour, obesity and weight management interventions, and food marketing and its impact on children.
Among his many advocacy roles are his role as President of EASO (2021-2024) and his currently the Treasurer for the World Obesity Federation (WOF). He is also of the chairs of EASO’s Psychology, Behaviour and Mental Health Working Group.
What inspires you? Working with people living with obesity and those trying to deliver patient-centred services locally. They have had a big impact on my thinking about obesity, helping me understand the real challenges patients and health systems face. This has increasingly fed back into my research and into the work of EASO’s Psychology, Behaviour and Mental Health working group.
What is your favourite book and why? Before starting a family and entering University management, I was a big reader, particularly of Scandinavian murder mysteries. I also read a lot of history, particularly Spanish and European history. I currently have ‘Five Families’ by Selwyn Raab to start (800 pages!), a history of the New York Mafia. But something I return to are diaries, because you can dip in and out of them, and in particular those of the British Actor, Keneth Williams, whose acidic observations make me laugh.
How do you relax? In my youth, I used to play the guitar but was never very good at it (I hope to take it up again and finally master it). Now it is gardening. I grow Irises, Lilies, and Roses in profusion, and have started growing Dahlias. I tend to go for bolder colours (and strong fragrances in Roses). Currently, my drive is lined with plants in pots, ready to be planted in the garden (once the chance of a late frost has passed).
If you wrote an autobiography, what would be the title? ‘How on earth did I get here?’
What one discovery or invention would most improve your life? Something that would make teenagers pick up their own clothes and bring used plates and cups back down from their bedrooms.
How would you improve the public’s understanding of research? I think we need to get into School and make science an engaging subject as a starting point. But I think we do really need to challenge pseudoscience and anti-science that proliferates on social media
What is your greatest fear? I am not overly keen on spiders, but they do serve a purpose in nature. But, more seriously, relating to my previous answer, the attack on science in the media (anti-vaxers, climate change deniers).
If you were a billionaire, how would you spend your fortune for the good of others? After I have bought the yacht? Joking, I get seasick. Seriously, I think investing in local neighbours and communities is very important, as is supporting mental health. We had a donor support the My 1st 1000 Days project in Leeds, something that could never have been funded in the UK otherwise.
What is the best piece of advice you have received? Keep the narrative simple and clear. My old supervisor, Professor John Blundell, always told me a paper should have three key findings, no more. I shared that with all my PhD students.
