Phillipa Hay

Professor Phillipa Hay is an internationally recognized academic psychiatrist serving as Professor and Chair of Mental Health at Western Sydney University's School of Medicine. With over 200 peer-reviewed publications and significant leadership roles, she is a leading expert in eating disorders and obesity research.

Her academic credentials include a DPhil from the University of Oxford (1994) and an MD from the University of Otago (1992). Professor Hay's research portfolio demonstrates exceptional productivity and impact, with numerous publications spanning clinical trials, systematic reviews, and innovative approaches to understanding and treating eating disorders.

Professor Hay's research focuses on:

• Randomized controlled trials of interventions for anorexia nervosa and other eating disorders
• Public health and community interventions to reduce barriers to care
• Mental health literacy related to eating disorders
• Diagnostic status of disordered eating behaviors

Her recent work (2023-2025) shows continued leadership in the field, with publications exploring eating disorders in diverse populations including elite athletes, autistic individuals, and children. Her research demonstrates a consistent emphasis on practical applications that can directly benefit patients and healthcare systems.

Professor Hay has received notable recognition for her contributions:

• Australian and New Zealand Academy Lifetime Achievement award (2015)
• Elected Fellow of the international Academy for Eating Disorders (2013)

As a dedicated mentor and leader, Professor Hay has supervised numerous students and led significant research initiatives. She serves in multiple leadership roles including Deputy Chair of the Steering Committee of National Eating Disorders Collaboration and Member of the Expert Advisory Committee for ICD-11 revision at the World Health Organisation. Professor Hay founded and serves as Editor-in-Chief of the Journal of Eating Disorders, further demonstrating her commitment to advancing knowledge dissemination in her field.