iiinova — where your digital self keeps evolving

Dr Steph Miles (she/her) @stephmiles.bsky.social · 28/09/2026

I've launched a new study investigating how young people view bodies and how appearance impacts self-worth 👀 I'm looking for females aged 12-25, who live in Melbourne, Australia, with a current diagnosis of anorexia nervosa to participate. Click here to learn more: redcap.link/9nt0ddcz

A pale orange flyer advertising a research study on how young people view bodies. The heading reads 'Join our research study'

The flyer text reads:
This research seeks to better understand how young people view bodies and the impact of appearance on self-worth.

Participation will involve completing questionnaires, computer tasks, and eyetracking. The study session will be completed in person at Orygen in Parkville, Melbourne and will take ~2 hours to complete.

Participants will be reimbursed with a $50 voucher for their time

Group 1 eligibility criteria: Diagnosed with anorexia nervosa, identify as female, aged 12-25 years old
Group 2 eligibility criteria: No mental illness diagnosis or family history of an eating disorder, identify as female, aged 12-25 years old, no neurodevelopmental diagnoses

Link to express interest: https://redcap.link/9nt0ddcz
Email address provided: RAVEN@orygen.org.au

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Dr Steph Miles (she/her) @stephmiles.bsky.social · 28/07/2026

Current projects, open PhD positions (or other job openings on your team) that are taking applications, and upcoming presentations/conferences that’s you’ll be attending.

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Dr Courtney McLean @courtneymclean.bsky.social · 01/07/2026

Our latest paper led by Dr Chelsea Arnold shows that food insecurity is linked to binge eating through increased psychological distress and reward-driven eating. Check it out below! www.mdpi.com/2072-6643/18...

mdpi.com

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Charlie Cooper @cooper-charlie.bsky.social · 30/04/2026

First PhD publication - and my first Bluesky post! 🎉🧵 As many governments consider minimum age restrictions and online safety legislation, our newly published systematic review offers timely evidence on how social media platforms are used for suicide prevention purposes.

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Marita Cooper PhD @maritacooperphd.bsky.social · 28/04/2026

We will be recruiting 1-2 research coordinators to join the Eating Disorders team at CHOP. Projects will include clinical trials and mechanistic studies to improve access to care and precision approaches to treating AN and ARFID in youth. Job ads are coming 🥳

media.tenor.com

a group of men are sitting around a table with one of them saying one of us !

ALT: a group of men are sitting around a table with one of them saying one of us !

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Dr Steph Miles (she/her) @stephmiles.bsky.social · 21/04/2026

Congratulations!!!! So so happy for you :)

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ACNS Early Career Researchers @acns-ecr.bsky.social · 31/03/2026

🧠Welcome to the official Bluesky for the Australasian Cognitive Neuroscience Society (ACNS) Early Career Researcher (ECR) members🧠 Here we'll share information about upcoming ACNS conferences, workshops, and other ECR-relevant opportunities! #ACNS #EarlyCareerResearcher #Science #ACNSECR

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Dr Steph Miles (she/her) @stephmiles.bsky.social · 13/02/2026

Rock, Paper, Scissors is how my partner and I make many decisions. Who's turn it is to pay for dinner, who has to collect our Uber Eats order, what TV show to watch, etc. So much so that when we get married next month, we will be playing it during the ceremony to decide who does their vows first 😂

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Dr Steph Miles (she/her) @stephmiles.bsky.social · 08/12/2025

I have now reached the point of the year where I realise that my end-of-year to-do list is much too long and December is running out! Any non-urgent work is quickly becoming future Steph's problem 😂

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Orygen @orygen.org.au · 03/12/2025

We were also pleased to host the inaugural Orygen Early- to Mid-Career Awards Showcase last week, with presentations from Orygen researchers including Dr @roospotkolder.bsky.social, Dr @stephmiles.bsky.social, Dr @scotttags.bsky.social, Dr Eleanor Bailey, Dr Shayden Bryce and Dr Elise Carrotte.

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Jaclyn A. Siegel, PhD @jacasiegel.bsky.social · 20/10/2025

Trying to explain article processing charges to anyone who doesn’t conduct research

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Orygen @orygen.org.au · 01/10/2025

Congratulations to Orygen's Dr @stephmiles.bsky.social, who won the Best Research Presentation prize at this year's ANZAED conference, and to Senior Research Fellows Dr Isabel Zbukvic and Dr Katrina Witt on representing UniMelb at @science.org.au's Science at the Shine Dome event!

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Pascal Mamassian @mamassian.bsky.social · 24/09/2025

A nice shift in perceived colour between central and peripheral vision. The fixated disc looks purple while the others look blue. The effect presumably comes from the absence of S-cones in the fovea. From Hinnerk Schulz-Hildebrandt: arxiv.org/pdf/2509.115...

An array of 9 purple discs on a blue background. Figure from Hinnerk Schulz-Hildebrandt.

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Dr Steph Miles (she/her) @stephmiles.bsky.social · 22/09/2025

Very excited to share that I’ve been awarded a grant to investigate body image processing in #AnorexiaNervosa using eyetracking.

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Jaclyn A. Siegel, PhD @jacasiegel.bsky.social · 11/09/2025

Reviewer 2, about to recommend that you cite six of her papers (unrelated to your study)

Black cat on a blue couch, covered in a pink blanket. A laptop is open in front of her.

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Dr Steph Miles (she/her) @stephmiles.bsky.social · 08/09/2025

I am very happy to share a new paper that I have co-first authored with my colleague Kaitlyn Crocker. In this study, we explored the relationship between cognitive flexibility, divergent thinking, perfectionism, and #EatingDisorder symptoms. doi.org/10.1080/1064...

doi.org

Perfectionism, and divergent and flexible thinking in anorexia nervosa

Perfectionism and flexible thinking are frequently reported as impaired in anorexia nervosa (AN), however, the role of perfectionism and cognitive flexibility in eating disorder (ED) symptoms is un...

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Dr Emily Colton @ecoltonpsych.bsky.social · 29/08/2025

I’m excited to be introducing Winston and my PhD passion project to the world of eating disorders researchers, clinicians, and advocates today at the ANZAED 2025 conference! #anzaed2025 #cognitiveassessment #eatingdisorders #phdlife

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Orygen @orygen.org.au · 28/08/2025

We could be one step closer to a new treatment for anorexia following promising results from a brain stimulation trial. Learn more: bit.ly/3HXUzRb

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Scientific Work in Anorexia Nervosa (SWAN) @swanresearch.bsky.social · 25/08/2025

We are seeking people currently living in Australia to participate in virtual (i.e. over Zoom) focus groups. People under the age of 18 will need parental consent to participate. Follow the link to learn more: redcap.link/lzdud5ot

A flyer describing the research study.

Researchers at The University of Melbourne and Orygen are seeking people to take part in 2x 2-hour online focus groups which discuss the factors that play a role in the development, maintenance, and recovery from eating disorders. We are seeking:
• People aged 12 or older with a lived experience of a past/current eating disorder
• People aged 18 or older who are the family members/loved ones/carers of someone with a past/current eating disorder

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Dr Steph Miles (she/her) @stephmiles.bsky.social · 28/07/2025

After working on a massive grant application for the past two months, it is now submitted (hooray!). But now I'm struggling to remember what I was supposed to be working on before grants took over.

media.tenor.com

a man in a suit is holding a brown jacket

ALT: a man in a suit is holding a brown jacket

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Dr Steph Miles (she/her) @stephmiles.bsky.social · 21/07/2025

And it is now in press! Read more in the thread I have posted or see the full paper here: doi.org/10.1002/eat....

onlinelibrary.wiley.com

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Dr Steph Miles (she/her) @stephmiles.bsky.social · 21/07/2025

This brief report is available open access. If you want to read more, you can do so here: doi.org/10.1002/eat....

doi.org

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Dr Steph Miles (she/her) @stephmiles.bsky.social · 21/07/2025

These findings indicate that quality of life is poor in those with current AN. However, the results also suggest that after weight restoration and early recovery from AN are achieved, quality of life improves across several areas. The results have implications for building motivation and hope 3/4

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Dr Steph Miles (she/her) @stephmiles.bsky.social · 21/07/2025

Women with current AN reported significantly poorer quality of life than the other two groups. Women with AN who were weight-restored scored equivalently to the healthy controls across all domains of quality of life, including self-worth, happiness, pain, and independent living. 2/4

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Dr Steph Miles (she/her) @stephmiles.bsky.social · 21/07/2025

I am very excited to share my new publication with @swanresearch.bsky.social on quality of life in #AnorexiaNervosa (AN). We examined health-related quality of life in women with current AN, women who were weight-restored (but not fully recovered), and healthy controls 1/4 doi.org/10.1002/eat....

doi.org

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Dr Steph Miles (she/her) @stephmiles.bsky.social · 14/07/2025

I've had my first article accepted in the International Journal for Eating Disorders and I am so so excited!! The study is on quality of life and #Anorexia nervosa. I can't wait to share the paper with you once it is available. #EatingDisorders #Reserch

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Dr Kathleen de Boer (she/her) @drkdeboer.bsky.social · 09/07/2025

Researchers at Swinburne Uni are examining the impact of viewing social media content on body image & eating attitudes and behaviours. Your participation is greatly appreciated!! swinuw.au1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_... #research #socialmedia

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Dr Steph Miles (she/her) @stephmiles.bsky.social · 21/06/2025

Abstract submissions for the BIRD conference are now open. See below for more details.

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STITCHES Medicine - the Best of Medical Research @medicine.stitches.today · 13/06/2025

Anorexia nervosa’s complexity demands a collaborative, holistic approach to improve treatment outcomes and advance research, experts urge. by Phillipou A, Schmidt U (...) Eddy KT et 3 al. in JAMA Psychiatry #MedSky 👉 get more here 📖 read the article:

jamanetwork.com

Anorexia Nervosa—Facts, Frustrations, and the Future

This Special Communication discusses challenges that have contributed to limited research progress in eating disorders, specifically anorexia nervosa, and recommends steps to improve research in this field.

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Erica Neill @ericaneill.bsky.social · 12/06/2025

I’m very pleased to be a co-author on a paper that explores the complexities of conducting research & developing treatments for anorexia nervosa. We hope this paper will encourage discussion and foster multidisciplinary collaborations. jamanetwork.com/journals/jam...

jamanetwork.com

Anorexia Nervosa—Facts, Frustrations, and the Future

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JAMA Internal Medicine @jamainternalmed.com · 04/06/2025

Anorexia nervosa is a severe mental illness with rising prevalence among youths, limited treatment options, and prominent physical and psychological challenges. Learn more in this JAMA Psychiatry Special Communication: ja.ma/4dPxvjh

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Orygen @orygen.org.au · 05/06/2025

Research silos and a narrow focus on weight restoration are holding back the field of eating disorders, a new Orygen-led paper with co-authors from @harvardmed.bsky.social and @kingscollegelondon.bsky.social has argued. Details + recommendations: bit.ly/454EKkX

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Dr Steph Miles (she/her) @stephmiles.bsky.social · 10/06/2025

I'm a co-author on this Special Communication about research in anorexia nervosa. We highlight various aspects that have hindered progress in the field and outline steps that can be taken in future research.

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Dr Steph Miles (she/her) @stephmiles.bsky.social · 14/04/2025

Ouch! What a roller coaster of emotions when reading this email

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Dr Steph Miles (she/her) @stephmiles.bsky.social · 04/04/2025

Our team has been working hard to develop the BIRD conference program for the past several months. We are so excited to now share it with you! We're running the conference both in-person and online, but in-person tickets are limited. All attendees will receive a recording of the full day.

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Scientific Work in Anorexia Nervosa (SWAN) @swanresearch.bsky.social · 04/04/2025

We are excited to announce the 2025 Body Image & Related Disorders (BIRD) Conference. This hybrid conference will be hosted at @orygen.org.au in Melbourne, Australia and also livestreamed online. Program, tickets, and more information here: birdconference2025.eventbrite.com.au

birdconference2025.eventbrite.com.au

The 5th biennial Body Image & Related Disorders (BIRD) conference, featuring experts, in-person at Orygen, Melbourne, and livestreamed.

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Dr Steph Miles (she/her) @stephmiles.bsky.social · 03/03/2025

Our team at @orygen.org.au and @harvard.edu are incredibly proud of this publication. We are still learning how to do better and how to engage more with people with lived experience in our research. We hope you'll learn with us.

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Dr Steph Miles (she/her) @stephmiles.bsky.social · 24/02/2025

My fiance also forced me to use OBS to record things 😂 It was really helpful during the pandemic when I needed to record conference presentations

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Dr Steph Miles (she/her) @stephmiles.bsky.social · 21/02/2025

This research was preliminary in nature and further research and replication is still required. However, the findings provide some insight into poor self-perceived cognitive flexibility as a potential #RiskFactor for anorexia nervosa. 7/7 doi.org/10.1016/j.jp...

doi.org

Redirecting

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Dr Steph Miles (she/her) @stephmiles.bsky.social · 21/02/2025

These results suggest that self-reported cognitive flexibility may be associated with the risk of anorexia. However, objectively assessed cognitive flexibility did not meet the requirements to be considered a risk factor for anorexia nervosa. 6/7

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Dr Steph Miles (she/her) @stephmiles.bsky.social · 21/02/2025

Participants completed self-report and neurocognitive (objective) assessments of cognitive flexibility. Significant differences were found between the risk groups in self-reported cognitive flexibility, but no differences were found for objectively assessed cognitive flexibility. 5/7

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Dr Steph Miles (she/her) @stephmiles.bsky.social · 21/02/2025

We recruited people from the general community and people with a lifetime diagnosis of anorexia. Using factors which have been shown in longitudinal research to increase the risk of AN, we allocated participants to risk groups. 4/7

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Dr Steph Miles (she/her) @stephmiles.bsky.social · 21/02/2025

The aim of this study was to investigate cognitive flexibility in people at various levels of risk for developing anorexia and people with a lifetime diagnosis of anorexia nervosa. 3/7

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Dr Steph Miles (she/her) @stephmiles.bsky.social · 21/02/2025

People with anorexia are sometimes described as rigid and inflexible in their thoughts and behaviours. Poor cognitive flexibility (i.e. difficulties adapting to changes in the environment) has been suggested as a risk factor for anorexia, but further research was required. 2/7

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Dr Steph Miles (she/her) @stephmiles.bsky.social · 21/02/2025

One of the first studies I envisioned as part of my PhD was a study of #CognitiveFlexibility and the risk for #Anorexia nervosa. And only a week after I passed my PhD in 2022, this paper was accepted for publication! 1/7 doi.org/10.1016/j.jp...

doi.org

Redirecting

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Dan Quintana @dsquintana.bsky.social · 11/02/2025

I don't think I've *ever* checked a manuscript PDF before submission and NOT found a typo. My downloads folder is littered with files like "journalname-0089.pdf", "journalname-0089-2.pdf", "journalname-0089-3.pdf", "journalname-0089-4.pdf", etc

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Dr Steph Miles (she/her) @stephmiles.bsky.social · 11/02/2025

In the paper we explain how the Wisconsin Card Sorting Test ( #WCST) assesses cognitive flexibility, the difference between a perseverative response and a perseverative error, and the differences between the various scoring techniques and the issues they each pose.

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