Heather works with policy-makers, NGOs, practitioners and industry. She seeks to influence practice and policy around appearance, for example, raising awareness of lookism and changing norms in selfie culture. She aims to highlight to policy makers why philosophy matters. She has also served on public bodies and policy committees, including, the Nuffield Council on Bioethics and the Ethics and Governance Council of UK Biobank.
Beauty Policy and Practice
Giving expert witness to the Parliamentary Inquiry on ‘The impact of Body Image on Physical and Mental Health
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Partnerships with NGOs
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Collaboration with the Anti-Bullying Alliance to produce the first school training into appearance bullying. Appearance bullying is the most prevalent form of bullying, and yet the one we do least about as appearance is not a protected characteristic. The training also draws on the #EverydayLookism stories.
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Talks to Practitioners
‘Why Philosophy Matters’, Association of Philosophy Teachers, Bristol, 14 June 2023
‘The impact of social media on young people’s health and wellbeing’, NHS study day, Cheltenham Race Course, April 2024
‘The impact of social media on young people’s health and wellbeing’, NHS study day, Cheltenham Race Course, April 2024
Membership of National Ethics Committees
- Member of Nuffield Council on Bioethics (June 2014 – June 2020)
- Member of UK Biobank Ethics and Governance Council (2007-2013).
Promoting Philosophy
As part of her work on British Philosophy Association Executive Heather was on the organising committee of British Philosophy Fortnight.
Heather was on a panel at the Houses of Parliament on 20 March 2025. The event was held to launch the first Philosophy Fortnight and to say why philosophy matters for science, industry and policy, as well as for improving daily life and individual well-being. The panel was chaired by Ritula Shah broadcaster and journalist (The World Tonight, Woman's Hour, Classic FM), and hosted by Baroness Bennett of Manor Castle. Other panel members were Ian Dunt (author, journalist and broadcaster), John Lloyd CBE (producer and writer) and Emma Swinn. MBE (Co-Director of SAPERE). #PhilosophyMatters
Heather was on a panel at the Houses of Parliament on 20 March 2025. The event was held to launch the first Philosophy Fortnight and to say why philosophy matters for science, industry and policy, as well as for improving daily life and individual well-being. The panel was chaired by Ritula Shah broadcaster and journalist (The World Tonight, Woman's Hour, Classic FM), and hosted by Baroness Bennett of Manor Castle. Other panel members were Ian Dunt (author, journalist and broadcaster), John Lloyd CBE (producer and writer) and Emma Swinn. MBE (Co-Director of SAPERE). #PhilosophyMatters
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Heather with Quassim Cassam at the House of Lords, March 2025
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Promoting the Humanities
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Heather was on a panel ‘Realising the Value of the Humanities’ at the WONKHE Festival of Higher Education on 13 Nov 2024. The panel was chaired by Jo Fox (Pro-Vice Chancellor Research and Public Engagement of the School of Advanced Studies, University of London), and fellow panellists were David Amigoni (Pro-Vice Chancellor Research and Innovation) and Graeme Wise (Director of Strategic Programmes and Engagement).
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