Where to Start
Join a Committee or Task Force
Committee volunteers are the lifeblood of the Academy for Eating Disorders, and our committees are a crucial part of our success. Committee volunteers serve three-year terms, during which they have the opportunity to collaborate with like-minded professionals and contribute their expertise to advance our mission. Our committees meet monthly via Zoom, making it convenient for members across the globe to connect and engage with their peers. Meeting times are arranged to accommodate the majority of committee members, ensuring that everyone has an opportunity to participate. Outside of regular meetings, the time commitment varies depending on the projects a committee is undertaking, but typically does not exceed several hours per month. Each committee is led by two co-chairs who are selected from among interested committee members. Committee membership is an excellent way to take an active role in the organization and gain valuable leadership experience. Several members of AED's leadership started as committee members, demonstrating the importance of this role in developing future leaders in the field of eating disorders. Join our community of passionate volunteers and help us make a difference!
The call for volunteers opens in the early spring each year and is publicized via email, social media, and AED's online communities. Volunteer terms begin and end at AED's ICED conference. Applicants will be able to apply to up to three committees that align with their interests and will need to submit their CV along with a letter of interest for each committee. Volunteers must be (or be willing to become) AED members and maintain their membership throughout their volunteer term.
View our current standing committees here.
Join Special Interest Groups (SIGs)
Join a SIG and participate in SIG activities. Choosing to join a Special Interest Group may be one of the most important decisions of your career. Special Interest Groups (SIGs) bring together AED members with personal and professional interests in distinct areas of eating disorders – child and adolescent, early career, sport and exercise, and weight stigma and social justice, just to name a few. Each SIG organizes itself around those specific activities that best serve its practitioner and research-based constituencies.
Interact with Other Members Through the AED Online Community
Active participation in the AED Online Community provides invaluable opportunities for interaction between AED members. Increasing your familiarity with colleagues can lead to collaborative relationships with other AED members and committees that will further enhance your career and your involvement in the organization.
Participate in AED Conferences
Attending AED conferences is one of the easiest ways to get involved. AED conferences provide numerous opportunities for learning, networking and exchanging ideas. Submitting research studies or workshop ideas for presentation is a particularly good way to acquaint other members with you and your work.
Donate to the Academy
AED Online Giving is a simple way for you to make a big difference. Your tax-deductible gift can be targeted to a specific AED program or applied to the AED General Fund. Find out more, or make an online donation today