Together, we’re building a global community for eating disorder research and hope
Get involved, join the global Zoom event on 15 October!
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By Gemma Sharp
Together, we’re building a global community for eating disorder research and hope
In late 2023, I had a dream: to create a global meeting place for anyone and everyone working toward a better understanding and care for eating disorders. Together with my team, that dream has come to life as CoRe-ED – the Consortium for Research in Eating Disorders – and I’m delighted to share milestones and exciting opportunities with you.
Whether you’re a researcher, clinician, advocate, industry representative, carer or someone with lived experience, CoRe-ED is here for you. We officially launched in September 2024 as the world’s first international charity research initiative dedicated to bringing all voices together. Registration is free and open to all. Our mission? To help shape a brighter future for eating disorder research, treatment, and recovery worldwide.
Listening and learning: What our members told us
As part of our first research project published in the Journal of Eating Disorders, we looked at: Who are our members? And what are they hoping CoRe-ED can offer?
In just the first three months after registrations opened in late 2024, we had 252 people from 20 countries (across five continents!) sign up. The majority were from Australia – no surprise, as this is where CoRe-ED was born.
Our community is beautifully diverse. Around 42% of registrants identified as researchers, and 38 per cent as health professionals – but that’s just the beginning. Many also identified as lived experience (either personal or as a carer), advocacy, not-for-profit work, and industry roles. And lots of our members wore multiple hats – for example, a clinician who is also a researcher with personal experience of an eating disorder.
When we asked why people joined CoRe-ED, their responses were thoughtful, heartfelt and full of hope.
Seven key reasons stood out:
- To connect with others. People want to build a global network – across countries, professions, and life experiences.
2. To contribute to research. Many hope to collaborate on or lead new studies that will shape the future of the field.
3. To keep learning. Our members are eager to stay informed about emerging science, best practices, and global trends.
4. To raise awareness. Some want to use CoRe-ED as a platform to amplify lived experience and advocate for change.
5. To drive innovation. Members are eager to help translate research into real-world improvements in treatment and policy.
6. To share personal stories. People with lived experience want to ensure their insights inform future directions.
7. To gain a global perspective. Connecting with diverse voices was described as energising, eye-opening and inspiring.
It’s humbling and encouraging to see this energy and generosity from around the world. These hopes have guided our next steps.
Your chance to pitch “The Next Big Idea”
With our first publication now out in the public domain, we’re thrilled to launch our next initiative: a global call for “The Next Big Research Idea” in eating disorders.
Whether you have a groundbreaking new theory, a small pilot project, or an emerging question worth exploring, we want to hear from you. We’re especially keen to support bold, innovative research at its earliest stages.
Here’s how it works:
– Submit your expression of interest by 11:59pm 17 September 2025 Australian Eastern Standard Time.
– An independent panel will select five finalist teams, who will present their idea at our One-Year Anniversary Global Zoom Event on 15 October 2025 – REGISTER HERE for free.
– At the event, our CoRe-ED community will vote for the project they believe holds the greatest promise.
– We’ll announce the winner by 31 October 2025 and support the team with mentorship and a fundraising campaign to help bring their project to life.
If you’re reading this and have a spark of an idea, or know someone who might, please get involved – or simply join us at the event to cheer on the finalists and cast your vote.
Join us – your voice matters
If you’re not already a member of CoRe-ED, we’d love you to come aboard. It’s free, and it only takes a moment to register. Everyone is welcome.
And if you’re part of an organisation or group that wants to partner with us – or you’d like to make a donation – please visit our homepage or email us at hello@core-ed.com.au. Every gesture of support helps build the momentum for meaningful change.
I’m a professor, researcher and clinical psychologist, passionate about bridging the worlds of science, treatment and lived experience in eating disorders. I began my career in biomedical science, earned my master’s in oncology from the University of Cambridge, and later completed a PhD in clinical psychology at Flinders University in Adelaide.
Since then, I’ve established and led the body image and eating disorders research program (2018-), worked in leadership roles in hospitals and established a private psychology practice (2019-). In late 2023, I conceived CoRe-ED – and in 2024, it was officially launched with the support of many wonderful colleagues and contributors.
I believe that when we come together across disciplines, experiences, and borders, real change becomes possible. CoRe-ED is my way of walking that belief into reality – and I’m so grateful to be doing this work alongside you.
Let’s keep building, dreaming, and transforming what’s possible in eating disorder research and care – together.