St John of God Annual Research Conference 2026

Understand Eating Disorders: What Lies Beneath. Advancing Research, Recovery and Community
About this Event

Welcome to the St John of God 36th Annual Research Conference where the theme this year is on eating disorders. We will be bringing together leading researchers, clinicians, policymakers and community advocates to explore the eating disorder landscape across diverse groups and settings, extending from those who experience this mental illness in childhood to those minority groups whose experiences are often overlooked and under-researched. St John of God services have observed a dramatic rise in the cases of eating disorders since the Covid-19 pandemic and this year we will dedicate our research conference to this topic.

CPD Credits Awarded: 6 credits from CPsychI & 4 credits from PSI

There will be a photographer and videographer attending the conference. If you do not want to be in photographs or video content which we will be using on our website and social media platforms, please let a member of the Research Foundation team know on the day.

Agenda

🕑: 08:30 AM
Registration, Tea & Coffee
🕑: 09:00 AM - 09:10 AM
Welcome & Conference Open
🕑: 09:10 AM - 09:40 AM
'Too Young? Understanding early onset eating disorders'
Host: Dr Michelle Clifford

Info: My presentation explores early-onset eating disorders, particularly anorexia nervosa in children, examining the evidence for younger age at presentation. It highlights the unique clinical, medical and developmental challenges in younger children, alongside the importance of early recognition, timely intervention and family involvement in treatment.

🕑: 09:40 AM - 10:10 AM
'Understanding Avoidant Restrictive Food Intake Disorder (ARFID)'
Host: Dr Rachel Bryant-Waugh

Info: My presentation aims to discuss the presentation, mechanisms and outcomes of ARFID to increase awareness and understanding. It draws on current evidence and best practice to reduce misconceptions, promote confidence, and to highlight promising avenues for future service development and research.

🕑: 10:10 AM - 10:40 AM
SJOG Oral Presentations x 2
🕑: 10:40 AM - 11:05 AM
Tea/Coffee Break & Posters
🕑: 11:05 AM - 11:35 AM
The Neurobiology of Eating Disorders
Host: Prof Colin Doherty
🕑: 11:35 AM - 12:00 PM
Panel Discussion Q&A

Info: Panel Discussion with Dr Michelle Clifford, Prof Fiona McNicholas & Prof Colin Doherty

🕑: 12:00 PM - 12:30 PM
'Eating Disorders in the Modern Era'
Host: Prof Fiona McNicholas

Info: 'How our Relationship with Food and our Bodies has Changed'. My presentation explores how changing appearance ideals, food environments, social media and digital self-monitoring may shape young people’s relationships with eating and their bodies.

🕑: 12:45 PM - 01:15 PM
Workshop 1 - Eating Disorders and Neurodiversity
Host: Jane O'Riordan
🕑: 12:45 PM - 01:15 PM
Workshop 2 - Thinking Family in Eating Disorder Treatment
Host: Muireann O'Regan

Info: The workshop will consider both the potential impact of Eating Disorders on close family relationships and how these relationships may serve a person’s recovery.

🕑: 01:15 PM - 02:15 PM
Lunch & Posters
🕑: 02:15 PM - 02:45 PM
'Beyond the Diagnosis: Anorexia, Stigma and a Journey into Advocacy'
Host: Conor Nolan

Info: My presentation explores my lived experience of anorexia nervosa, the stigma I encountered along the way, and how those experiences shaped my recovery and ultimately led me into mental health advocacy.

🕑: 02:45 PM - 03:15 PM
SJOG Oral Presentations x 2
🕑: 03:15 PM - 03:45 PM
Harriet Parsons in conversation with Dr Maria Romanos
Host: Harriet Parsons

Info: Harriet Parsons, CEO of Bodywhys in conversation with Dr Maria Romanos, Lead of the Eating Disorder Service of SJOG University Hospital

🕑: 03:45 PM - 04:15 PM
'Co-Designed Mental Health Education for Eating Disorders'
Host: Dr Zoe McCormack

Info: A Realist Evaluation of an Innovative Training Model for Future Healthcare Professionals presented by Dr Zoe McCormack and Sean Blake

🕑: 04:15 PM - 04:45 PM
Panel Discussion Q&A

Info: Panel Discussion with Prof Fiona McNicholas, Conor Nolan, Muireann O'Regan, Jane O'Riordan, Harriet Parsons, Dr Maria Romanos & Dr Zoe McCormack

🕑: 04:45 PM - 04:55 PM
SJOG Oral & Poster Competition Results
🕑: 04:55 PM - 05:00 PM
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