June Alexander
Doctor of Philosophy (Arts, Humanities and Education)
CD61
On campus
Research Higher Degree
Melbourne
2017
Dr June Alexander is a diarist, author, life-writing mentor, blogger (www.lifestoriesdiary.com), and ardent eating disorder advocate. The National Library of Australia has acquired June’s diary collection (commenced at age 11, in 1962, when she developed anorexia nervosa. The illness, documented in her diaries, shaped June’s life and writing career).
Her PhD explores diary writing as a self-help tool in eating disorder recovery. When June developed anorexia nervosa at 11, writing and her diary became a survival tool. She has worked 38 years as a newspaper journalist and written seven books about eating disorders. Titles include memoir A Girl Called Tim; My Kid is Back; A Collaborative Approach to Eating Disorders; Anorexia Nervosa: A Recovery Guide for Sufferers, Families and Friends; and Getting Better Bite by Bite.
She is the recipient of the 2016 Meehan-Hartley Award for Public Service and Advocacy from The Academy of Eating Disorders. Two more books, focusing on Family Based Treatment and Multi-Family Therapy, are due to be published by Routledge in 2025.
June says, “My PhD has helped me understand how and why the diary helped save my life and reconnect with my authentic self after 44 years of struggle. My PhD has enabled me to help others recover from their eating disorder”.