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.

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

Centre for Reproduction Research

Loyal, S. A day in the life of a Centre for Reproduction Research PhD Student. Blog post on Centre of Reproduction Research Blog. October 2018.  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 

• 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.

• Funding generation and co-organisation of BSA Public Sociology event (£1000). De Montfort University, Leicester. March 2017. (Co-applicant).