Dr Ivanka Prichard's research explores the connections between body image and health behaviour with a particular focus on the impact of social media. She has a PhD in Psychology from Flinders University and has a background in health psychology, exercise, eating behaviour, and body image research. Currently, she is interested in how the media shapes body image, social norms around different health behaviours, and family influences on health behaviour across the lifespan (ORCID ID).

Ivanka joined the Discipline of Health & Exercise Sciences at Flinders University in 2014. Her teaching interests are in the area of health and exercise psychology. She is currently the Director of The Embrace Impact Lab at Flinders University and Higher Degrees by Research (HDR) Coordinator within the College of Nursing & Health Sciences. 

My research interests lie in the area of health psychology, with a particular focus on body image, wellbeing, and health behaviour (diet, physical activity). As Director of The Embrace Impact Lab at Flinders University, I am currently leading a number of research projects.

Current research includes:

• Embrace Kids: Body image is a key issue, and getting in early to prevent body image concern is critical. In collaboration with The Embrace Collective, my research in this area evaluates a range of resources aimed at promoting better body image in young people.
• Body image & exercise: Body image concern and lack of physical activity are both major issues in Australia. My research in this area examines body dissatisfaction as an obstacle to exercise participation in young women and the impact of inspirational fitness images from social media on actual exercise behaviour and psychological well-being among young women.
• Positive innovation: I conduct a range of experimental studies to explore opportunities to enhance body image through different forms of social media content. This includes new program development to fill gaps in the research needed to create resources for different populations and to optimise effective programs for broader dissemination.

ORCID ID