UCL Research: School Environments

Researchers at University College London (UCL) are investigating what are aspects of the school environment that might increase young people’s risk of developing an eating disorder. They are seeking to form a panel of young people with lived experience of any eating disorder who are attending (or who have recently attended) secondary school in the UK to help them understand what these school-level risk factors might be.

They will use this information to:

• Develop a survey which will be sent to schools around the UK. The survey will ask for head teachers’ understanding of the extent to which these issues occur in their schools.
• Inform which data future school-based studies should collect. Specifically, the researchers hope this information will help to shape questions which will be included in a secondary school-based cohort, called IMAGINE Study which they are developing.
• Explore whether there are existing datasets which include this information to shape future research project.

Role description:

• To bring your own, unique lived experience of eating disorders to contribute towards the UCL advisory board to ensure the voices of lived experience are heard
• To work with Beat, UCL, and fellow lived experience panel members in the programme
• Use lived experience in a positive way to make positive changes 
• Contribute ideas, suggestions & actively take part in decision making
• Be mindful and respectful of other people’s experiences and viewpoints, recognising that each panel member's experience is valid and welcomed 
• Complete any allocated tasks, including reading necessary information, and contribute to group actions 
• Ensure communication is honest and open 
• Challenge assertively and respectfully where appropriate, being mindful and considerate of other people’s feelings 
• Ensure that you uphold principles of equality, diversity and being inclusive 
• Asking for help if required and seeking support to ensure your wellbeing from appropriate Beat members of staff  

Benefits of taking part: 

Becoming an advisory board member is an exciting opportunity to help shape the future of secondary schools in the UK.

By becoming a member, you will receive:  

• A training session delivered by Beat on becoming an advisory board member  
• A chance to make a real positive difference in the lives of others living with eating disorders  
• Opportunities to develop/improve new skills
• Opportunities to meet and network with other people with lived experience of an eating disorder across the U.K. 
• Payment for the time you contribute towards taking part in the board

Who are we looking for? 

We are looking for people with lived experience of having an eating disorder, aged 16-20 based in the U.K. Board members must be in stable recovery of their eating disorder for at least 18 months.

The recovery criteria for panel members are defined below:

• You can identify potential triggers and have coping mechanisms in place to manage these
• You are not exhibiting eating disorder behaviours
• There is no requirement for previous professional support of diagnosis, but if you have had professional support, you must no longer be accessing treatment for your eating disorder

We want to make sure that our advisory boards are fully representative of the diverse communities across the U.K., and so we are particularly keen to hear from people from people who identify with any of the following:

• Minoritised ethnic, national and cultural backgrounds
• LGBTQIA+ communities
• People with physical disabilities
• Neurodiversity 
• Male

As with all our work, we are also committed to representing the full range of eating disorders, including the ‘lesser known’ ones. This includes anyone who may not have a formal diagnosis, and inclusive of both long- and short-term eating disorder experiences.

Advisory Board Meetings: 

As part of the UCL advisory board you would meet with fellow board members as part of a group of 9 people. There will be two 2-hour board meetings between December 2024 and March 2025, all conducted via Zoom.

Beat Co-Production staff will facilitate meetings and there will also be dedicated staff available to provide any support needed. Beat and clinical staff will also be available for support before and after meetings.

Beat and UCL want to acknowledge the valuable expertise those with lived experience will bring to this project, so all panel members will be paid for the time they contribute. Payment for participation in sessions will be £25 per hour in line with the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) benchmark.

Want to Take Part? 

If you would like to become a member on the UCL advisory board, then please complete our Expression of Interest form by 5th November: https://forms.office.com/Pages/ResponsePage.aspx?id=Hcc1gv5HrEWm8ekPqVuW2G_nY4V08GNIjxUrfWmc_FVUM1ZaQ0xFQk1KNkFaWDFPNjFBRldSQVpTMi4u

If you have any questions, please contact Beat's Co-production team at coproduction@beateatingdisorders.org.uk.