Eating Disorders in Tertiary Education
Tertiary education is a key opportunity for students to build competencies in eating disorder awareness and safe care, relevant across health, community education, and social support sectors.
Embedding eating disorder education in tertiary curricula is a key action of the National Eating Disorders Strategy (2023), and a priority in the Australian National Mental Health Workforce Strategy 2023-2033.
The NEDC Eating Disorders in Tertiary Curricula Initiative
NEDC, with funding from the Australian Department of Health, Disability and Ageing, assessed eating disorder teaching in tertiary education and is now leading the strategy to embed this content across Australian programs and settings.
The NEDC Eating Disorders in Tertiary Curricula (EDTC) Initiative oversees the development and implementation of the recommendations outlined in the Eating Disorders Training in Tertiary Education Scoping Review and Recommendations.
Key components of the NEDC EDTC Initiative
The NEDC Eating Disorders in Tertiary Curricula (EDTC) Initiative comprises several key components to support the embedding of eating disorders within tertiary education programs. Additional components aligned with the recommendations of the scoping paper will be added as the initiative continues over the lifecycle of the National Strategy. 
ETDC Expert Advisory Group
The EDTC Expert Advisory Group (EAG) advises NEDC on embedding eating disorder content in Australian tertiary education. Its goal is to drive lasting change by integrating ED-safe principles, prevention, response, treatment, and recovery support into professional training programs. Members include experts in education, discipline-based learning, industry, and student needs.
The EAG oversees all aspects of the NEDC Eating Disorders in Tertiary Curricula (EDTC) Initiative.
EDTC EAG Members
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Dr Sarah Trobe (Chair) |
National Director, NEDC Honorary Research Fellow, La Trobe University |
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Dr Emma Spiel (Project Lead) |
Workforce Development Lead, NEDC Honorary Research Fellow, La Trobe University |
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Kirstin Riedmaier (Secretariat) |
Project and Operations Coordinator, NEDC |
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Alexandra Murray |
Head of Policy, Australian Psychological Society (APS) |
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Bliss Jackman |
Team Leader, Lived Experience, The Victorian Centre of Excellence in Eating Disorders |
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Prof. Bryn Austin |
Professor, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health and Boston Children’s Hospital |
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Dr Carmel Fleming |
Adjunct Lecturer, School of Nursing, Midwifery and Social Work, The University of Queensland |
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Chris Basten |
Senior Clinical Psychologist, Basten and Associates Clinical Psychologists |
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Dr Claire Burton |
Academic Lead, Workforce Development & Training |
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Deanne Harris |
Allied Health Manager/ Dietitian in Charge/Profession Senior Dietetics HNELHD |
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Fiona Sutherland |
Director, The Mindful Dietitian , APD, CEDC-D |
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Genevieve Pepin |
Professor, Deakin University Faculty of Health |
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Janet Fountaine |
Nurse Practitioner, WA Eating Disorders Outreach & Consultation Service |
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Dr Jenny Conway |
General Practitioner, Get Well Clinic |
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A/Prof. Kim Ryan |
Chief Executive Officer at Australian College of Mental Health Nurses |
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Prof. Leah Brennan |
Professor, School of Psychology and Public Health La Trobe University |
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Dr Mandy Goldstein |
Director and Clinical Psychologist, everyBody Psychology & Wellbeing |
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Michelle King |
Partner and National Lead, Higher Education, KPMG Australia |
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Prof. Philippa Hay |
Chair Mental Health Western Sydney University |
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Shannon Calvert |
Independent Lived Experience Educator & Advisor |
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Dr Simone Craig |
Youth Health GP, Clinician Academic at Department of General Practice and Primary Care, University of Melbourne |
EDTC Tertiary Education Scoping Review and Recommendations
To support tertiary sector development, NEDC produced the Eating Disorders Training in Tertiary Education Scoping Review and Recommendations 2025 Update. Guided by an expert advisory group and informed by consultations with educators and professionals, the report reviews current eating disorder content across seven key health professions and outlines core competencies and initiatives to embed this content in tertiary curricula.
Four target areas and associated key recommendations are identified within the scoping review. These underpin NEDC’s Eating Disorders in Tertiary Curricula Initiative.
View the Eating Disorders Training in Tertiary Education Scoping Review and Recommendations March 2025 Update report.
Note: Due to resource limits, some key professional groups were not included in this review. NEDC aims to expand the initiative over time to include a broader range of roles vital to eating disorder prevention, identification, and safe care.
EDTC Collaborative Network
The EDTC Collaborative Network is a multidisciplinary group of academics, educators, and lived experience experts that advised NEDC on the development of the Eating Disorder Identification Learning Modules. NEDC will continue working with the network throughout the initiative.
EDTC EAG Collaborative Network Members
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Dr Emma Spiel (Project Lead) |
Workforce Development Lead, NEDC Honorary Research Fellow, La Trobe University |
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Ana Ximena Torres (Project Co-Lead) |
Strategy and Policy Lead, NEDC |
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Laura Freeburn (Nursing) |
Nurse Educator, Mental Health Metro North Health QLD |
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Chloe Lennox (Nursing) |
Course Coordinator & Lecturer (Mental Health Nursing), School of Nursing and Midwifery, University of Notre Dame Australia. Registered Nurse, The Esus Centre |
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Hosu Ryu (Nursing) |
Lecturer & Discipline Lead (Undergraduate Nursing), School of Nursing and Midwifery La Trobe University |
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Dr Christie Bennett (Dietetics) |
Senior Lecturer Monash University, Department of Nutrition, Dietetics and Food |
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Fiona Sutherland (Dietetics) |
Director, The Mindful Dietitian |
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Dr Sian McLean (Psychology) |
Senior Lecturer, Department Coordinator Research Industry & Engagement, School of Psychology and Public Health, La Trobe University |
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Associate Professor Janet Conti (Psychology) |
Associate Professor of Clinical Psychology /Associate Dean Learning and Teaching, School of Psychology Western Sydney University |
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Sarah Pflanz (Social Work) |
Statewide Clinical Education Lead for Social Work – Mental Health Alcohol and Other Drugs, Queensland Health |
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Rachael Duck (Social Work) |
Peer Mentoring Program (PMP) Manager at Eating Disorders Victoria |
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Rachel Knight (Occupational Therapy) |
Lecturer (Deakin University) Eating Disorders Early Intervention and Integration Lead (Western Health) |
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Associate Professor Justin Scanlan (Occupational Therapy) |
Associate Professor, Occupational Therapy, Faculty of Medicine and Health, The University of Sydney |
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Shannon Calvert (Lived Experience Educator) |
Independent Lived Experience Specialist & Advisor – Eating Disorders, Mental Health, Palliative Care, and Workforce Reform |
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Dr Matthew Elton (Medicine) |
Staff Specialist Psychiatrist, Consultation-Liaison Psychiatry John Hunter Hospital Medical Lead for Eating Disorders, Hunter New England Mental Health Associate Lecturer University Newcastle |
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Dr Elizabeth Rowe (Medicine) |
Private GP Mentor and Lecturer |
EDTC Eating Disorder Identification Learning Modules for Tertiary Education
The Eating Disorder Identification Learning Modules equip graduates with an identification skillset specific application to eating disorders, disordered eating and body image concerns. Educators apply to access and deliver the 4 modules, and receive an educator booklet with lecture slides, interactive activities, quiz links, and lived experience videos.
Find out more here.
EDTC National Educator Database (COMING SOON)
The NEDC National Educator Database lists educators who deliver eating disorder specific education in University, TAFE and post graduate training settings. All listed educators indicate that they meet educator minimum training standards, to support safe, effective teaching. Search the Database to find an educator to deliver eating disorder educational content within your institution.