Dr Emily Matheson
Dr Emily Matheson
USA & Australia
“Without addressing the objectification, preoccupation and overvaluation of bodies at the broader societal level, real change and impact cannot be achieved.”
Australian born and living in New York City, Dr Matheson is passionate about helping people to feel at home in their bodies, so they can connect with the world around them. With a PhD in Clinical Psychology, she uses evidence-based techniques to understand and improve mental health and well-being among young people and adults.
Emily has a stellar track record for leading large-scale, international body image research and consultancy collaborations between industry and academia. She’s known for the development and evaluation of innovative well-being tools for digital landscapes and in-person communities.
How did you come to be a Dr in Clinical Psychology?
I was born and raised in Adelaide, South Australia and it’s here that I became an alum of two esteemed universities, including The University of Adelaide and Flinders University. Like most with a PhD, I embarked on an eight year journey of studying, and obtained a Bachelor of Psychological Science with First Class Honors and a PhD in Clinical Psychology. These two degrees shaped me into a research practitioner, where my practice with clients informed by research ideas and vice versa. It’s this reciprocal relationship between practice and research that ensures our methods are both client-centric, as well as grounded in the most up to date science. Advocacy is also an important aspect of my research practitioner identity, and drives my engagement with the community. During my studies and since completing them, I’ve been an active member and trustee of several body image and eating disorders associations and organizations.
Tell us about a distinctive memory of how body image affected you?
We all have body image-related memories. Memories that shape how we see ourselves. From a young age, I was labeled ‘thick’, ‘muscular’, ‘sporty’, ‘a tomboy’. It was always strange to me that others could easily and comfortably make judgemental remarks about my appearance. In Year Three, a male peer said “Jessica is thinner than you, so she can run faster and for longer”. In Year Nine, a mean girl laughed at my lack of ‘thigh gap’ at a swim meet. In university, a male lacrosse teammate loudly described the size and shape of my butt while I stretched in front of other teammates. These comments are not unique to me. Girls and women around the globe are disproportionately evaluated and judged on their appearance, and are led to believe that this defines who they are and how they should interact with the world.
Why did you get into body image and mental health research and work?
When deciding on degrees and career pathways, I always gravitated towards mental health-related roles and sectors. It was in Year Two of my Psychology degree that a guest lecturer presented on eating disorders, and the role that body image plays in the development of this grave mental health disorder. Those with a negative body image are at greater risk of developing disordered eating and/or an eating disorder. The answer - body image prevention through systemic change. We needed to (and still do) create safer, more inclusive environments, both in-person and digital, that do not evaluate, judge or vilify bodies. My decision - I would be a key player in this systemic change. Once I completed my Bachelor in Psychological Science, I set my eyes and heart on completing a PhD in Clinical Psychology, where I would specialize in body image and eating disorders.
What work are you most proud of to date?
Since gaining my PhD in 2019, I’ve been a key player in developing unique and innovative evidence-based interventions for young people through international, multi-disciplinary and multi-sector partnerships between academics, industry, community and governmental partners.
For in-person settings, I’ve led my team in the creation of cutting edge programs that upskill athletes and coaches in addressing body image in sporting environments.
In the digital space, we've created bitesize interventions (e.g., a game, an e-book and a chatbot) that are embedded into the very landscape that contributes to young people’s body image concerns - social media.
Why is this work important to you, where do you see it going and who would you like to work with?
As an intervention developer, I see the value and importance in upskilling people to ignore harmful societal pressures and enhance their relationship with their bodies. But, without addressing the objectification, preoccupation and overvaluation of bodies at the broader societal level, real change and impact cannot be achieved. I like to think of body image concerns and their intersecting factors (e.g., racism, sexism, ableism) as a burning house, and these individual and/or group interventions are watering cans - sure, they can help reduce and/or hold off the danger, but the fire continues to burn around them. This is why I’m passionate about fostering international, multi-disciplinary and multi-sector partnerships. These partnerships are our greatest hope in extinguishing body image concerns, reducing the ease and comfort with which people judge others, and creating safe and inclusive environments for all. Given my passion for sport, a dream multi-sector collaboration would be with a sporting brand, a governing body in sport, and broadcasting company, where together we make systemic changes for girls and women that transcends every level of the sporting ecosystem.
The Small Print
Education
Doctor of Philosophy (Clinical Psychology), Flinders University (2015-2018)
Bachelor of Psychology Honors (First Class), Flinders University (2014)
Bachelor of Psychological Science Degree, University of Adelaide (2010-2013)
Other Appointments
Research Fellow (2018-2020); Senior Research Fellow (2020-2021) Centre for Appearance Research at the University of the West of England
Trustee Somerset and Wessex Eating Disorder Association (2020-2021)
Tutor and Guest Lecturer School of Psychology, Flinders University
Publications
Can be viewed here
Honours & Awards
International Conference for Eating Disorders Early Career Travel Award (2020)
Flinders University Student Association Funding Award (2018)
Flinders University Student Association Funding Award (2017)
Flinders University Higher Degree by Research Scholarship (2015-2018)
When I’m not working, you’ll find me…
Diving into home decor and making a sanctuary from the hustle and bustle of daily life.
Practicing mindful and intuitive exercise, by listening to my body and engaging in an exercise that feels right for me at that moment.
Traveling and immersing myself in different countries and their cultures.
Learning to cook the cuisines of the beautiful countries I’ve visited.
Connect with me
Find out more about Emily and their work.
Work with us
For information about working with Emily on your project please get in touch.