Research Profile
Mr Gareth Thomas
Address:1-3 Museum Place
Qualifications
Ph.D. in Sociology, Cardiff University (+3 ESRC funded): 2010-present
MSc Social Science Research Methods, Cardiff University (Distinction): 2009-2010
Distinction in dissertation entitled ‘The Baby Breach: Cooling Out Mothers of Children with Down’s Syndrome’. The dissertation explores how mothers respond to a prenatal or postnatal diagnosis of Down’s syndrome.
BSc Econ. Sociology, Cardiff University (First Class Honours): 2006-2009
First class honours in dissertation entitled ‘Courtesy Stigma: Experiences of Down’s Syndrome in the Family’. The dissertation examines whether parents of children with Down’s syndrome feel stigmatised by their child.
Research Interests
- Sociology of disability
- Pregnancy and prenatal testing
- Medical sociology
PhD Topic / Area
Provisional Ph.D. Title: ‘Constructing Disability: Screening for Down’s Syndrome in Antenatal Care’.
The Ph.D. will examine how clinicians, maternity services, and parents understand and respond to Down’s syndrome and potential other foetal abnormality during antenatal care. It will use qualitative methods, namely participant observation and semi-structured interviews with both health professionals (consultants, midwives, sonographers) and parents (current and expectant).