Speaking Topics

Trisha Gura addresses audiences on a wide range of speaking and workshop topics at universities, conferences, libraries, book stores, book clubs and writers’ group meetings. Trisha:

> coaches graduate students and scientists about alternative careers.
> taps creativity in individuals who want to learn to write about science and medicine.
> educates people about food and eating issues, drawing from her research, personal experience and the stories of others in her book, Lying in Weight: the Hidden Epidemic of Eating Disorders.

Here are six examples of how Trisha might approach your group:

Alternative Careers in Science
Trisha can talk to graduate students and postdocs about what else is out there beyond the lab. She offers her own personal experiences as well as a wealth of information about organizations, publications and classes to help get students started.

The Nuts and Bolts of Science/Medical Journalism (Including Freelancing)
Trisha can offer talks and workshops to aspiring writers that give tips on:

bullet breaking in
bullet the nuts and bolts of science journalism
bullet interviewing scientists and physicians
bullet how to pitch a science story
bullet how to write a book proposal and get it published

Eating Disorders: Awareness, Understanding and Recovery
For those suffering from eating disorders, their loved ones or those interested in the topic of food and body image, Trisha can unravel the complexities of this topic. Her presentation skills are dynamic, educational and inspirational. Having suffered from an eating disorder herself, she can speak from the trenches with both empathy and expertise. For a more intimate meeting, Trisha can sit in on book clubs and offer answers to specific questions.

Eating Disorders: Clinical Issues
For nurses and therapists, Trisha can open up discussion about an understudied group of patients, older women with eating disorders. These patients are likely to be showing up in hospitals, outpatient centers and in private practices in growing numbers. Trisha’s scientific background has allowed her to comb through and translate the medical literature on the topic. Unlike another psychologist, she also has the experience to speak as a patient/client.

Body Image and Eating through a Feminist Lens
For women’s studies scholars, Trisha can speak to the cultural and gender impact of body image and food. Her experience as a visiting scholar at Brandeis allows her to adeptly sit on a panel or offer a singular look at eating disorders through the prism of feminism.

The Biological, Neural, and Cognitive Changes Triggered by Eating Disorders
For psychology students, Trisha can lecture on the biology as well as the psychology of eating disorders. Profound biological and neurological changes occur over the course of eating disorders, especially as they continue on for decades in an individual. Trisha can unravel the intertwining of biology to psychology and so present a fresh look at long-standing issues in the field.