Projects per year
Personal profile
Biography
Gemma is an NHMRC Early Career Senior Research Fellow (2018-2021) in the Monash Alfred Psychiatry Research Centre (MAPrc) and she leads the Body Image Research Group at MAPrc. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Molecular Biology (University of Adelaide), Bachelor of Science Honours degree in Microbiology and Immunology (University of Adelaide), a Masters degree in Oncology (University of Cambridge), a Diploma in Languages in Japanese (University of Adelaide), a Graduate Diploma in Psychology (University of Adelaide), a Bachelor of Behavioural Sciences Honours degree in Psychology (Flinders University) and a PhD in Clinical Psychology (Flinders University). Her research career in both Medical Science and Mental Health has seen her study and work in Australia, Japan and the UK.
Gemma was awarded a PhD from Flinders University in Adelaide which investigated the psychological predictors and outcomes of female genital body image concerns and cosmetic genital surgery. She worked as a Post-Doctoral Research Associate and Academic at Curtin University in Perth and expanded her research to include male genital body image.
Gemma then commenced an NHMRC Early Career Research Fellowship (part-time) at MAPrc at Monash University. Gemma and her Body Image Research Group at MAPrc investigate the factors leading to body image and related mental health concerns and novel therapeutic interventions using digital technologies (such as chatbots and apps) to address these concerns. Gemma leads collaborative projects with Australia's national body image and eating disorder support organisation, The Butterfly Foundation, including "KIT", the world's first positive body image chatbot.
Gemma's research has received extensive coverage on mainstream media and she makes regular appearances on television. She was named one of ABC Radio National's Top 5 Under 40 Scientists in 2017 and also was invited to deliver at TED talk in Brisbane in 2017. More recently, she was named one of The Educator's Rising Stars (2020), Australian Psychological Society Early Career Researcher Awardee (2020), a national finalist for a Eureka Prize (2020) and also for the CRC Association Early Career Researcher Showcase (2020), received a national AMP Tomorrow Maker Award (2019), was named as a national finalist for the Bupa Health Foundation Emerging Health Researcher Award (2019), and was a Young Tall Poppy Award winner for Victoria (2018). She has also served as a host on Triple R's Radiotherapy program since 2018.
Gemma is also a clinical psychologist and has had clinical experience in the public and private sectors in Adelaide, Perth and Melbourne. She leads her own private practice (part-time) and her particular areas of clinical interest are body image concerns, eating disorders, body dysmorphic disorder and related mental health conditions. She serves as the Early Career Representative on the Victorian Section of the Australian Psychological Society's College of Clinical Psychologists Committee and is a member of the Australian Society for Psychosocial Obstetrics and Gynaecology Executive Committee.
You can follow Gemma's latest research and other activities on Twitter @gemmasharp11
Research area keywords
- Body image
- Eating disorders
- Clinical Psychology
- Mental Health and Wellbeing
- Artificial Intelligence
- Social Media
- Social media and digital education
- Sexual Health
- Education Research
- Psychotherapy
- Cognitive Behavioural Therapy
- Intervention
- internet research
- Adolescents and Young Adults
- Surgery
Network
Projects
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The Real Ideal: Mis-Estimation of BMI for Own and Ideal Bodies
Aniulis, E., Thomas, N. & Sharp, G.
3/03/20 → 30/06/21
Project: Research
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Psychoeducational program to address women's genital appearance concerns
1/01/18 → 31/12/21
Project: Research
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Research output
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Commentary on: Influence of Self Perceived Vulvar Appearance on Female Sexual Function
Sharp, G., 11 Feb 2021, (Accepted/In press) In : Aesthetic Surgery Journal. 2 p., sjaa434.Research output: Contribution to journal › Editorial › Other › peer-review
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The ever-changing ideal: The body you want depends on who else you’re looking at
Aniulis, E., Sharp, G. & Thomas, N. A., Mar 2021, In : Body Image. 36, p. 218-229 12 p.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › Research › peer-review
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Australian Junior Doctors’ Perspectives on Psychiatry Teaching in Medical School
Rotstein, S., Caric, R., Kulkarni, J. & Sharp, G., Oct 2020, In : Academic Psychiatry. 44, p. 562–565 4 p.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › Research › peer-review
1 Citation (Scopus) -
Coping styles and mental health in response to societal changes during the COVID-19 pandemic
Gurvich, C. T., Thomas, N., Hudaib, A-R., Sood, L., Fabiatos, K., Sutton, K., Isaacs, A., Arunogiri, S., Sharp, G. & Kulkarni, J., 4 Oct 2020, (Accepted/In press) In : International Journal of Social Psychiatry. 10 p.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › Research › peer-review
Open Access4 Citations (Scopus) -
Do Genital Cosmetic Procedures Improve Women’s Self-Esteem? A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
Sharp, G., Maynard, P., Hudaib, A-R., Hamori, C., Oates, J., Kulkarni, J. & Sarwer, D., 14 Sep 2020, In : Aesthetic Surgery Journal. 40, 10, p. 1143-1151 9 p.Research output: Contribution to journal › Review Article › Research › peer-review
Open AccessFile
Prizes
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ABC Radio National Top 5 Under 40 Scientist
Sharp, Gemma (Recipient), 2017
Prize: Prize (including medals and awards)
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Academy Laser Clinic Travel Grant
Sharp, Gemma (Recipient), 2017
Prize: Prize (including medals and awards)
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AMP Tomorrow Maker Award
Sharp, Gemma (Recipient), 28 Nov 2019
Prize: Prize (including medals and awards)
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Australasian Sexual Health Conference 2016 Scholarship
Sharp, Gemma (Recipient), 2016
Prize: Prize (including medals and awards)
Press / Media
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Is our idea of the "ideal" body malleable?
Gemma Sharp & Ellie Aniulis
16/02/21
1 Media contribution
Press/Media: Research
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Triple R Radiotherapy Program (Co-Host)
14/02/21
1 Media contribution
Press/Media: Public Engagement Activities
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The Penis Podcast, Ep11: Talking Body Image With Dr. Gemma Sharp
1/02/21
1 Media contribution
Press/Media: Research
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Bad body image day? It's possible that a chatbot could make a difference
31/01/21
1 Media contribution
Press/Media: Research
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To see a perfectly fine body, just look in the mirror
Ellie Aniulis & Gemma Sharp
10/01/21
1 Media contribution
Press/Media: Research