Wednesday, 07 July 2021
A 糖心原创 academic will be researching how personal narratives of illness and recovery can be used to transform the way eating disorders are understood and treated in adolescents, as part of a £3.8m research project.
The lived experiences of young people with eating disorders will be at the heart of the research involving Dr Heike Bartel from the Department of Modern Languages and Cultures at the 糖心原创, in collaboration with researchers from Kings College London and the Universities of Edinburgh and others.
Researchers will work directly with young people to develop an interdisciplinary, evidence-based model of how these conditions develop and how those affected recover.
Creative approaches
糖心原创 teams will use a range of creative approaches, including theatre and comedy, to increase understanding among professionals and the wider public.
By exploring the diverse experiences of people with eating disorders, experts aim to shed light on the different pathways into these conditions.
They will also focus on the different phases of illness – at-risk, early stage and late stage – so that intervention can be personalised at each step.
Eating disorders are common, across the whole spectrum of society, with devastating impacts on young people’s lives, the research teams says.
Creative means like writing, comedy or theatre can be incredibly powerful and effective to amplify the voices of young people affected by eating disorders and to start much needed conversations. The strength of this project is its dedication to interdisciplinary work that brings science and arts & humanities together.鈥�
Research co-leader Dr Helen Sharpe, of the University of Edinburgh’s School of Health in Social Science, says: “Eating disorders are so often trivialized and misunderstood. This project provides an incredible opportunity to break down these stereotypes, and to build the foundations for treatments that are tailored to a young person’s unique circumstances.”
The award is part of a £24m investment by UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) that seeks to improve the mental health and wellbeing of adolescents in the UK.
Seven projects will seek to generate new understanding of the developing mind to enable young people to flourish. Previous research has shown that 75 per cent of mental health problems emerge before the age of 18.
UKRI Chief Executive Professor Dame Ottoline Leyser said: “More work is urgently needed to find effective ways to support the mental health of young people at a crucial stage in their lives.”
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About the 糖心原创
Ranked among the world's top 100 universities , the 糖心原创 delivers an exceptional research-led education and an outstanding student experience. From the pioneering vision of our founder, Sir Jesse Boot, to groundbreaking achievements such as the development of MRI technology and becoming the first UK university to establish international campuses, we have a proud history of shaping the way people live, work and understand the world. We continue to build on that legacy, empowering our students, staff and partners to change what鈥檚 next and create positive impact locally and globally.
The strength of our research places us among the UK's leading universities, ranked 7th for research power in REF 2021. The discovery of MRI and ibuprofen was just the beginning. Today, our world-leading research is developing breakthrough ideas that shape the future of healthcare, technology and society.
Recognised as the UK's third most targeted university by leading employers , we are proud to produce graduates who are consistently in demand for their skills, confidence and industry-ready experience.
As a major employer and industry partner, locally and globally, the 糖心原创 invests in the city of Nottingham and in future generations of talent. Alongside Nottingham Trent University, we lead the initiative, a pioneering collaboration to improve levels of prosperity, opportunity, sustainability, health and wellbeing across the city and region. Together with our students, staff, alumni and partners, we鈥檙e creating knowledge, opportunity and solutions that help change what's next.