Meet the postgraduate researcher: Lily Parsons
Posted on Wednesday 1 October 2025
The York Graduate Research School connects more than 2,000 PGRs across all disciplines at York. Here, we spotlight Lily: runner and PhD researcher in the Department of Psychology. Lily won the 2025 3MT competition at York.
We asked Lily to tell us more about her research topic, the journey to her PhD and top tips for maintaining a work/life balance around her studies.
What are you researching?
My research is focused on understanding why people believe things that aren't true. Specifically, I look at the influence of social identity in misinformation susceptibility. Social identity is the way we view ourselves and those around us, shaped by the groups we belong to, such as our political affiliation, cultural background, or social networks. These group memberships influence how we evaluate information in that we tend to accept claims that affirm our group’s values and reject those that threaten them, regardless of their factual accuracy. My work aims to uncover not only why misinformation resonates with certain audiences, but also how interventions can be designed to reduce its impact.
What drew you to this topic?
What drew me to this topic is the intersection of human behaviour and real-world impact. I’ve always loved exploring why we do the things we do, and misinformation, especially when tied to social identity, shows how deeply our psychology shapes the choices we make. Studying it gives me the chance to address a challenge that affects not just individuals, but whole communities and societies.
What were you doing before?
Before my PhD, I worked full-time as a Research Consultant at VISFO. I have the same role today, but I work on a part-time basis. My role involves designing and executing in-depth research strategies to uncover valuable insights, all with the goal of building meaningful, user-centric solutions.
If you weren't doing postgraduate research, what would you be doing instead?
If I weren’t doing postgraduate research, I honestly think I’d still find my way back to it eventually. In my UCAS application years ago, I even wrote that I hoped to go on to do a PhD one day, though I forgot about that until I found myself applying again. Looking back, it feels like research has always been a natural fit for me. I’m curious by nature, I love digging into big questions, and I’ve always been motivated by the idea of contributing knowledge that can make a difference. So even if I’d taken a different path first, I think I would have ended up here sooner or later.
What's on your work desk?
I’m easily distracted, so I stick to a ‘tidy space, tidy mind’ approach. My desk is pretty minimal, aside from a coffee that’s always within reach. The drawers, however, tell a very different story: they’re crammed full of “emergency” snacks for when the day runs long.
What's your typical working day?
My day usually starts with a walk and a coffee to clear my head before diving into university work. Most of my day is spent reading, writing, or analysing data, depending on what stage of the project I’m in. In the evening, I like to go for a run to reset before winding down and getting ready for the next day.
What do you enjoy most about being a postgraduate researcher?
What I enjoy most is the freedom to follow my curiosity. Being able to ask big questions and then actually design ways to answer them is incredibly rewarding. It’s a rare chance to truly quench your thirst for knowledge while contributing to something larger than yourself.
What do you wish you'd known before you started?
I wish I’d known not to panic when things go wrong. Research rarely goes exactly as planned, and that can feel unsettling at first. But those moments are often where the most valuable learning happens, and the process of working through setbacks is just as important as the successes
If your research had a theme song, what would it be?
Taylor Swift's 'Look What You Made Me Do'. My favourite lyrics are "I check it once, then I check it twice". I think it's an attitude we should all have towards fact-checking information online!
What do you do to relax?
Running is a big part of how I switch off. I enjoy setting myself goals and there’s something really satisfying about working steadily towards them. I also spend time in the garden, where I’m attempting to grow as many dahlias as I can fit into my tiny terrace. Both running and gardening are mindful for me; they help me slow down, stay present, and recharge.
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