Eating disorders and Excessive Exercise – University of Nottingham

I created this research animation for Hungry for Words, the University of Nottingham project led by Professor Heike Bartel, which uses creative approaches to open up conversations about eating disorders in men and boys. It was a real honour to contribute to this body of work: Hungry for Words won Research Project of the Year (Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences) at the Times Higher Education Awards 2021, sometimes called the Oscars of higher education, as well as a University of Nottingham Knowledge Exchange and Impact Award.

The animation looks at the relationship between disordered eating and excessive exercise, drawing on the words of people who have lived it. It asked for a gentle, trauma-aware approach, holding people’s experiences with compassion and care. I combined traditional hand-drawn animation with motion graphics, and let the palette move from dark toward light as the piece turns from difficulty toward noticing, self-kindness and the possibility of support. It speaks especially to gym staff, sports teachers, coaches, personal trainers and primary healthcare workers, encouraging them to start the conversations that can lead to change and healing.

Projects like this are close to my heart, the ones where animation can make a hard subject approachable and help people feel seen. Working with Heike and her team to do justice to the experiences people shared was a privilege.

If you have research or a message you’d like to bring to life through animation with care and sensitivity, I’d love to hear from you. Get in touch.

If any of the themes here affect you or someone you know, support is available. In the UK, Beat runs a free helpline (beateatingdisorders.org.uk); your GP is also a good first step. Elsewhere, an eating disorder support organisation in your country can help.