Gemma Sharp

Professor Gemma Sharp is a clinical psychologist and academic at The University of Queensland (UQ), where she leads the Body Image & Eating Disorders Research Program. She also holds an Adjunct Associate Professor position at Monash University, where her program operated from 2018–2024. Her work bridges medical science and mental health, with a focus on body image concerns, eating disorders, and digital therapeutic interventions like chatbots (e.g., JEM™) and mobile apps.

Sharp’s research explores genital self-image across genders, psychological outcomes of cosmetic procedures, and the intersection of menopause with eating disorders. She founded the Consortium for Research in Eating Disorders (CoRe-ED), a global collaboration launched in 2024, and develops clinical practice guidelines for psychological assessment in cosmetic procedures. Her work has been featured in over 80 awards, including the 2025 Association for Psychological Science Janet Taylor Spence Award and 2024 Australian Academy of Health and Medical Sciences Mentee Honour.

• 2025: Perceived barriers to AI in eating disorder care
• 2024: Menopause-eating disorder resource evaluation
• 2024: Chatbot co-design for waitlisted patients
• 2023: Ethical AI in eating disorders
• 2023: Five-factor model and disordered eating

Her scientific accolades include the

• Australian Psychological Society Media Award (2023)
• Academy of Social Sciences Paul Bourke Award (2022)
• Association for Psychological Science Rising Star (2021)

She maintains a private clinical practice in Brisbane since 2019 and contributes to national policies like the Victorian State Eating Disorder Strategy (2023–2024). Her media presence spans ABC Radio National, TED talks, and collaborations with organizations like Butterfly Foundation and NEDIC in North America.