On November 5, a public lecture titled “Bridging Experimental and Clinical Psychology to Improve Clinical Care” by Professor Kate Tchanturia of King’s College London was held at the Radisson Blu Iveria Hotel (Surface space), organized by the Academia Europaea Tbilisi Hub and National Geographic Magazine – Georgia.
Earlier this year, Professor Tchanturia was awarded the Member of British Empire (MBE) for her contributions to science—a distinction conferred during a special ceremony at Buckingham Palace and presented to her by Her Royal Highness Princess Anne.
The event opened with the screening of a short film produced by Buckingham Palace about the Order of the British Empire and Professor Tchanturia’s recognition, setting an inspiring tone for the evening.
Welcoming remarks were delivered by Professor David Lordkipanidze, Academic Director of the Academia Europaea Tbilisi Hub and member of the Scientific Board of National Geographic Magazine – Georgia. He thanked the audience and emphasized that the goal of the event was, above all, inspiration—highlighting that Professor Tchanturia’s career embodies the scientist’s drive toward innovation and the sharing of knowledge with wider society: “Our aim is to support the communication of Georgian scientific achievements and traditions to broader audiences and to introduce to public those individuals who stand on the frontlines of contemporary science,” he noted.
Ani Tsabadze, Publisher of National Geographic Magazine – Georgia, also addressed the audience. She underlined the magazine’s mission of promoting science and announced that the November issue of the Magazine features an in-depth interview with Professor Tchanturia about her MBE award and scientific contributions—an interview prepared within the joint partnership of the Academia Europaea Tbilisi Hub and National Geographic Magazine – Georgia.
As for the lecture itself – For more than four decades, Professor Kate Tchanturia has been exploring some of the most challenging questions in clinical psychology. She began her career in experimental psychology at Tbilisi State University and the Institute of Psychiatry (Georgia), and today she is one of the leading scientists at King’s College London, combining academic work with clinical practice.
During the lecture, she reflected on her fascinating journey from experimental research to clinical psychology and presented key findings and innovations from 30 years of work on eating disorders at King’s College. Her talk covered both developments in clinical services and practical examples of effective treatment approaches.
Professor Tchanturia also discussed the urgent needs in the field of eating disorder management in Georgia: “Unfortunately, we still do not have the multidisciplinary teams in Georgia, essential for effective treatment of eating disorders. A dietitian, nurse, psychiatrist, psychologist, social worker, and occupational therapist—all of these professionals must work together on cases such as anorexia or bulimia. In Georgia, such integrated teams and services are not yet in place, even though the epidemiology and needs are similar to those in Western countries. We need proper training for specialists, and from the government—funding and motivation to establish these services, as the number of patients is significant.”
Following the lecture, an engaging discussion took place between Professor Tchanturia and the audience. Authors of the best questions received complimentary copies of National Geographic Magazine – Georgia.
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Professor Kate Tchanturia is an internationally acclaimed scientist and the first Georgian female researcher elected as a member of Academia Europaea. She is the recipient of the British Psychological Society’s highest honor for Distinguished Contribution to Practice (2021). In 2023, she received the National Award of Georgia; in 2024, she was elected President of the Eating Disorders Research Society (EDRS); and in 2025, she was awarded the Member of British Empire (MBE) for her contributions to science, presented by Her Royal Highness Princess Anne at Buckingham Palace.
