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Dear Colleagues,
It’s a pleasure to connect with you again, and I hope this message finds you well.
Planning is already well underway for our next International Conference on Eating Disorders (ICED 2026) in The Hague, the Netherlands — and the Scientific Program Committee is working diligently to craft an inspiring and inclusive program. We can’t wait to welcome you to The Hague in 2026 and are committed to building a scientific program that reflects the breadth and diversity of our field. The Hague is a truly special place to gather. It is a beautiful, historic, and vibrant city with so much to offer — from culture and coastline to international flair. This historic seaside city is not only home to international institutions and rich cultural heritage — it’s also where you’ll find Johannes Vermeer’s iconic painting Girl with a Pearl Earring, housed at the Mauritshuis Museum. The city is easily accessible via international flights into nearby Schiphol Airport (Amsterdam), with frequent and direct train connections to The Hague. The conference will be held at the outstanding World Forum, and we’re already making plans for a spectacular closing party. ICED 2026 promises to be an unforgettable experience, both in terms of scientific content, networking opportunities, and social gatherings. As you begin looking ahead, I encourage you to mark your calendars: the Call for Abstracts opens on September 22 and closes on October 22. Shortly after, the Call for Scholarships and Grants will be open from October 24 to November 17, and the Call for Fellows will run from December 5 to January 5. Finally, registration for the conference opens on February 4. We hope to see broad engagement across all of these opportunities.
We are now in the fourth year of our current Strategic Plan, and the Board of Directors is beginning the process of shaping the AED’s next strategic direction beyond 2027. While many of our current goals will remain central — including enhancing membership value, fostering global and diverse collaboration, and ensuring financial sustainability — we are also identifying new priorities to ensure the AED continues to evolve in step with the needs of our members and the field at large.
One such priority is the modernization of the AED website. Based on the thoughtful feedback we’ve received from you, our members, we are working to create a platform that is modern, easy to navigate, and — most importantly — a valuable and relevant resource for your daily work across clinical, research, and advocacy settings.
I also want to ensure that AED remains a truly member-driven organization. To support this, I will be hosting open office hours for all AED members. These sessions are open to everyone — whether you’d like to ask a question, share an idea, or just connect. I warmly welcome your participation, and more information will follow soon.
There is so much important work happening across the AED: global initiatives, training programs, committee projects, and strategic advocacy — all powered by the dedication and expertise of our members. Thank you for your continued engagement and for being part of this community.
Please don’t hesitate to reach out. I’m honored to serve as your President and excited for the year ahead.
Best,
Gry Kjærsdam Telléus, PhD, FAED
President, Academy for Eating Disorders
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