Biography
UIrike is the Professor of Eating Disorders and Director of the Centre for Research on Eating and Weight Disorders at King’s College London. She is also a Consultant Psychiatrist at the South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust. She leads the Eating Disorders and Obesity Theme in the NIHR Maudsley Biomedical Research Centre.
She works to understand fundamental biology and psychological determinants of eating and weight disorders, including obesity. Her research includes multiple trials of new treatments and led to the development of MANTRA, a NICE-recommended psychotherapy for people with anorexia nervosa.
She has also led the development and research on FREED, a multi-award winning early intervention programme for young people with eating disorders, rolled out nationally in England.
Ulrike has also pioneered the use of novel brain-directed treatments in eating disorders. She leads the large UKRI-funded EDIFY consortium on early intervention for eating disorders. She is Co-Director of the Health Education England National Eating Disorders Whole Team Training and MANTRA Training Courses.
Ulrike has led/contributed to multiple national and international initiatives to improve eating disorders policy and practice. She is the recipient of multiple awards, including an NIHR Senior Investigator Award, and the Academy for Eating Disorders Leadership Award for Research (2021).
Expertise and Public Engagement
- Steering Group member MRC Eating Disorders Research workshop (2022)
- Contribution as expert witness to All Party Parliamentary Group report on research in eating disorders (2021)
- Clinical Advisory group member - Beat - ongoing
- Expert reference group member for National Collaborating Centre for Mental Health Commissioning Guide for Adult Eating disorder services (2018) and associated curriculum development (2019)
Research Interests
- Prevention and early intervention of eating disorders
- Technology-based interventions for eating disorders
- Non-invasive neuromodulation approaches to treatment of eating disorders
Research
ESTRA: Earlier detection and stratification of eating disorders and comorbid mental illnesses
ESTRA: Earlier detection and stratification of eating disorders and comorbid mental illnesses
Project status: Ongoing
Centre for Research in Eating And Weight Disorders (CREW)
The Eating Disorders Research Group aims to find out more about the neurobiological, genetic and psychological causes and consequences of anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa and other eating disorders, and to use that knowledge to develop new and better treatments.
News
Arts must form an integral part of modern health and social care, report shows
The landmark Creative Health Review report was launched at Science Gallery London at King’s
A showcase of research in eating and weight disorders celebrates the launch of CREW
A packed one-day showcase of inspirational talks and activities marked the opening of the new Centre for Research in Eating and Weight Disorders (CREW) at...
Professor Ulrike Schmidt elected as Fellow of the Academy of Medical Sciences
Professor Schmidt is one of 59 new Fellows to be elected to the prestigious Academy of Medical Sciences.
YouTube partnership addresses mental health questions
King's is working with YouTube to connect viewers with mental health advice from experts, debunk myths and signpost ways to get support.
Supporting a child with an eating disorder: a clinical academic's perspective
It is estimated that around 1.25 million people in the UK alone suffer from an eating disorder, with onset most commonly occurring in adolescence or young...
MANTRA training to be rolled out to adult eating disorder services across England
The training programme, co-developed at King’s College London, has been awarded a three-year contract to design and deliver MANTRA training to experienced...
King's projects to form part of new £24m investment into adolescent mental health
This investment from UK Research and Innovation will fund seven highly ambitious projects, two of which will be led or co-led by King’s College London...
Hundreds of young people with eating disorders to benefit from early intervention FREED service
Young people with eating disorders such as anorexia and bulimia are to get rapid access to specialist NHS treatment across England.
Adolescent brain structure could inform early interventions for eating disorders
A new study led by King’s College London has found that adolescents who develop unhealthy eating behaviours have different brain structures and mental health...
Events
Research Showcase in Eating and Weight Disorders
Join us to celebrate the launch of the Centre for Research in Eating and Weight Disorders at King's College London, and discover research from the NIHR...
Please note: this event has passed.
The Maudsley Model of Anorexia Treatment for Adults (MANTRA): Introductory Training for Therapists
A course designed for psychological therapists working with eating disorder patients, who wish to learn the foundations of MANTRA.
Please note: this event has passed.
Spotlight
Saving lives with national treatments for eating disorders
King’s researchers have developed a suite of evidence-based approaches for eating disorders which place the person and their carers at the centre. These...
Research
ESTRA: Earlier detection and stratification of eating disorders and comorbid mental illnesses
ESTRA: Earlier detection and stratification of eating disorders and comorbid mental illnesses
Project status: Ongoing
Centre for Research in Eating And Weight Disorders (CREW)
The Eating Disorders Research Group aims to find out more about the neurobiological, genetic and psychological causes and consequences of anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa and other eating disorders, and to use that knowledge to develop new and better treatments.
News
Arts must form an integral part of modern health and social care, report shows
The landmark Creative Health Review report was launched at Science Gallery London at King’s
A showcase of research in eating and weight disorders celebrates the launch of CREW
A packed one-day showcase of inspirational talks and activities marked the opening of the new Centre for Research in Eating and Weight Disorders (CREW) at...
Professor Ulrike Schmidt elected as Fellow of the Academy of Medical Sciences
Professor Schmidt is one of 59 new Fellows to be elected to the prestigious Academy of Medical Sciences.
YouTube partnership addresses mental health questions
King's is working with YouTube to connect viewers with mental health advice from experts, debunk myths and signpost ways to get support.
Supporting a child with an eating disorder: a clinical academic's perspective
It is estimated that around 1.25 million people in the UK alone suffer from an eating disorder, with onset most commonly occurring in adolescence or young...
MANTRA training to be rolled out to adult eating disorder services across England
The training programme, co-developed at King’s College London, has been awarded a three-year contract to design and deliver MANTRA training to experienced...
King's projects to form part of new £24m investment into adolescent mental health
This investment from UK Research and Innovation will fund seven highly ambitious projects, two of which will be led or co-led by King’s College London...
Hundreds of young people with eating disorders to benefit from early intervention FREED service
Young people with eating disorders such as anorexia and bulimia are to get rapid access to specialist NHS treatment across England.
Adolescent brain structure could inform early interventions for eating disorders
A new study led by King’s College London has found that adolescents who develop unhealthy eating behaviours have different brain structures and mental health...
Events
Research Showcase in Eating and Weight Disorders
Join us to celebrate the launch of the Centre for Research in Eating and Weight Disorders at King's College London, and discover research from the NIHR...
Please note: this event has passed.
The Maudsley Model of Anorexia Treatment for Adults (MANTRA): Introductory Training for Therapists
A course designed for psychological therapists working with eating disorder patients, who wish to learn the foundations of MANTRA.
Please note: this event has passed.
Spotlight
Saving lives with national treatments for eating disorders
King’s researchers have developed a suite of evidence-based approaches for eating disorders which place the person and their carers at the centre. These...