Chloe Tasker

Biography

I am a postdoctoral research officer within EEPRU (Essex and ESNEFT Psychological Research Unit). My research focuses on furthering our understanding of the psychological process than impact experiences of the menopause. I completed my PhD at the University of Essex, submitting my thesis titled 'Beyond The Bedroom: Understanding The Ways in Which Sexual Arousal and Desire Shape Our Wellbeing and Romantic Relationships' in November 2025. My thesis explored the role of sexual arousal and desire in the wellbeing of people and their romantic relationships. In particular, I explored how people experience differences in the alignment between their arousal and desire. Additionally, I demonstrated that when arousal-desire alignment is greater than usual, this leads to greater than usual sexual satisfaction, and that women’s greater arousal-desire alignment can also have positive impacts on their male partner’s relationship satisfaction. Previously my research has focused on investigating previous (the preparation hypothesis) and novel (empathy and sexual competition) explanations of women's bisexual arousal patterns. I have used physiological measures of sexual arousal in my previous research including plethysmography, and pupil dilation. I also explored new methods to measure lubrication in women, to assess the validity of the preparation hypothesis. My current research interests include women's health, wellbeing during menopause, and sexual wellbeing.

Qualifications

• MSc Research Methods in Psychology University of Essex, (2022)

• BSc Psychology with Cognitive Neuroscience University of Essex, (2021)

Appointments

University of Essex

• Exams Office Customer Assistant, Exams Office, University of Essex (5/2025 - 8/2025)

• Exam Invigilator, Exams Office, University of Essex (10/2022 - 9/2025)

• Graduate Lab Assistant (GLA), Department of Psychology, University of Essex (10/2023 - 9/2025)

Other academic

• Senior Research Officer, EEPRU, Department of Psychology, University of Essex (17/11/2025 - present)

• Research Assistant, Human Sexuality Lab, Department of Essex, University of Essex (10/2021 - 10/2022)