Ms Sasha Loyal

Sasha Loyal is a PhD student at the Centre for Reproduction Research with a keen interest in reproduction, gender and family formation within ethnic minorities She has previously conducted research at DMU exploring the experiences of infertile men.

She was awarded a DMU High Flyers Scholarship from De Montfort University to undertake a PhD research exploring reproductive timing within British South Asian communities (2016-2019). This qualitative study explores the perceptions of British South Asian women of when the ‘right time’ is to have children and draws on an intersectional approach to explore how a range of social and cultural factors influence decision-making around family formation.

Sasha has also worked as a Research Fellow at the CRR. Her role involved data analysis, seminar and conference organisation and supporting the running of the CRR. She is currently involved in ESRC-funded project “Egg-donation in the UK, Belgium and Spain: An interdisciplinary study (EDNA)" and works with key stakeholders to develop impact work.

PhD supervisors: Dr Helene Mitchell (1st), Prof Nicky Hudson (2nd), Dr Cathy Herbrand (2nd)

Centre for Reproduction Research

Song, J.H.H., Loyal, S., and Lond, B. (2020) Metacognitive Awareness Scale, Domain Specific (MCAS- DS): Assessing Metacognitive Awareness during Raven's Progressive Matrices. Frontiers in Psychology. https://dora.dmu.ac.uk/handle/2086/20509

Loyal, S. OPINION: The coronavirus 'baby boom' myth. Article on DMU Research News. June 2020. https://www.dmu.ac.uk/about-dmu/news/2020/june/opinion-the-coronavirus-baby-boom-myth.aspx [Reposted on the Centre for Research on Families and Relationships (CRFR) blog. https://crfrblog.blogspot.com/2020/06/family-planning-and-covid-19-baby-bust.html]

Loyal, S. Will we really see a coronavirus 'baby boom'? Blog post on Centre for Reproduction Research Blog. June 2020. 
https://centreforreproductionresearch962893217.wordpress.com

• MSc dissertation: “The Role of Online Forums for Men Affected with Infertility”

• Qualitative and quantitative approaches of reproduction within minority ethnic groups 
• Reproductive decision-making and the use of reproductive technologies  
• Intersectionality and gender issues
• Social and psychological aspects of infertility 

• Endometriosis (HEST3218)
• Age-related fertility decline (HEST1119) 

• BSc (Hons) Psychology, De Montfort University
• MSc Health Psychology, De Montfort University

• Poster 4th prize winner, DMU's Annual Poster Competition for Research Degree Students, 2017
• High Flyers PhD Scholarship, 2016-2019

• Member – British Sociological Association
• Member – Society of Reproductive and Infant Psychology

• "I think as a woman you are just expected to have children". Reproductive timing, decision-making and intersectionality'. Psychology Postgraduate Conference. De Montfort University, UK. April 2019.

• Exploring perceptions of women's roles and reproductive timing in British South Asian communities. Doctoral College Lecture Series: SDG5 - Gender Equality. De Montfort University, UK. March 2019. 

• Exploring perceptions of reproductive timing in British South Asian groups: PhD in Progress. Centre of Reproduction Research Seminar. De Montfort University, UK. October 2018. 

• Reproductive timing in British South Asian communities: Evidence from focus groups. Presentation. Psychology of Women & Equalities Section Annual Conference. Windsor, UK. July 2018.

• Using intersectionality to explore reproductive timing in British South Asian communities. Presentation. Postgraduate Medical Humanities Conference. University of Exeter, UK. June 2018.

• Exploring perceptions of reproductive timing within British South Asian communities using Intersectionality. Presentation. Intersectionality Symposium. De Montfort University, Leicester, UK. June 2017.

• 'When is the right time to have children?' Poster presentation. Society of Reproductive and Infant Psychology Annual Conference, York. 12-13 September 2017. 

• ‘When is the best time to have children? Exploring perceptions of readiness in British South Asian communities.’ Poster presentation. Research Degree Students’ Poster Competition. De Montfort University, Leicester. April 2017. 4^th prize for best poster.

• EDNA - Egg donation in the UK, Spain and Belgium: an interdisciplinary study. Building Impact (£3861). Higher Education Investment Fund (HEIF), De Montfort University. Hudson, N (PI), Culley, L., Herbrand, C., Weis, C., Loyal, S., Fearon, K., Turner, J. Feb-June 2020.
• Funding generation and co-organisation of BSA Public Sociology event (£1000). De Montfort University, Leicester. March 2017. (Co-applicant).