Fellowship

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Fellowship of the Association was first awarded in 1979 and to date over 100 Fellowships have been awarded.

Fellowship is the highest principal honour which the Association can bestow upon a member in recognition of their outstanding service and exceptional contribution to the Association and the profession. As such, it cannot be given lightly.

Who is eligible for nomination?

  • A full member of the BDA for a minimum of 10 years
  • The nominee will have sustained active participation in the work of the Association at a National or UK level, e.g. as a member of the Board of Directors, Country Board Member, member of the Trade Union Executive Council or through their dietetic expertise, has represented the professional body at a national or international level in various ways over a minimum of 10 years
  • The nominee will have made an exceptional contribution to the profession at national, UK wide or international level over and above that which would be expected from their job role for a minimum of 10 years
  • Areas of contribution could include, but are not limited to:
    • Clinical Practice
    • Teaching and practice education
    • Research/evidence into practice
    • Leadership
    • Professional development and welfare of colleagues
    • Trade Union and industrial relations
    • Influencing, policy and strategy development
    • Advocacy and Ambassadorial roles within and out of the profession
    • Supporting the workforce through initiatives such as equality, diversity and inclusion
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Nominations should ideally be made while the nominee is still active or at the most within 12 months of retiral or standing down.

The nomination process                                           

  • Ensure that the nominee is eligible and meets the above criteria
  • Nominations for Fellowship should be made to the Honours Committee Chair and sent to [email protected] on the standard proforma F. An example form can be downloaded here
  • Nominations must be supported by at least five signatures of Full Members of the Association, or by a decision of a Branch, Group or Board of the Association in general meeting. A lead nominator should be identified and contact details given
  • The individual concerned should not be approached
  • All nominations received will be acknowledged by the BDA to the lead nominator
  • The nomination will be screened for completeness. If necessary, clarification or amendment will be sought at this point
  • The formal acknowledgement to the lead nominator will inform them that they and the nominee will be notified directly if the nomination is successful; if the nomination is not successful the lead nominator will be informed

Guidance for completing the proforma

Section 1

Basic information and contact details for the Nominee. Basic information and details for Lead Nominator and four other Nominators OR if proposed by a BDA Branch, Group or Board, please give details of when and where the decision was made and recorded and provide details for a Lead Nominator.

Section 2

We ask that you succinctly summarise the overarching reason for your nomination eg worked for x years on behalf of the BDA in the capacity of x; the impact of which is x. There is a 50 word limit for this section.

N.B. We may use these words in our communications and celebration events should the nomination be successful.

Section 3

We ask for a summary of the nominee’s outstanding personal commitment and exceptional contribution to the Association and the profession of dietetics over and above that which would be expected in their job role over a minimum of 10 years.

  • Why are they being nominated?
  • What is special about the nominee’s commitment and contribution?
  • How have they gone over and above what is expected in their role?
  • Have they demonstrated outstanding service as a leader/role model/mentor?
  • Are they inspirational and well recognised by BDA Members in their area of expertise?

There is a 500-word limit for this section

N.B. We may use these words in our communications and celebration events should the nomination be successful

Section 4

Provide evidence of how the nominee has shown sustained, active participation in the work of, and or representing the Association specifically over a minimum of 10 years, giving dates. This should be succinct – you can use sentences or you may find it useful to use bullet points.

Section 5

Provide specific evidence of how the nominee’s contribution has had an impact on the profession by working with the Association. You should demonstrate how the nominee has made a sustained and exceptional contribution that has made an outstanding impact on the profession in one or more of the areas outlined below

Areas of contribution could include, but are not be limited to:        

  • Clinical Practice
  • Teaching and practice education
  • Research/evidence into practice
  • Leadership
  • Professional development and welfare of colleagues
  • Trade Union and industrial relations
  • Influencing, policy and strategy development
  • Advocacy and Ambassadorial roles within and out with the profession
  • Supporting the workforce through initiatives such as equality, diversity and inclusion

It is really important to include evidence of the impact of the nominee’s activities and the difference they have made. This will help to identify that the nominee’s activities go over and above their usual job role and purpose.

In order to demonstrate impact, the following should be completed for each example of your nominee’s contribution. It is important to provide information as succinctly as possible and focus on what the specific contribution of the nominee in an area has been.

What has the nominee done that has made a sustained and exceptional contribution to the Association and the profession nationally, UK wide and/or internationally?

  • You might, for example, focus on what the nominee has done to influence and develop policy and/or strategy in their area of expertise. Or,
  • How have they built relationships with others in different fields and developed the role and influence of dietitians as a result? Or,
  • How has their research or innovative practice improved care or outcomes?

Explain why this was needed/is relevant

Show why this was important; what gap this was filling?

Describe the impact this has had. What is different as a result?

Your information should address the ‘so what’ question. Be specific about how this has made a difference to the Association and the profession nationally, across the UK or internationally? Facts and data may help illustrate this, if relevant.

Are they, for example, well recognised by BDA members in their field of expertise and in representing/promoting the Association and the profession?

N.B. Only the information provided on the form can be taken into consideration by the Honours Committee.  If any additional documentation is submitted this will not be considered. Please provide all the necessary evidence to support the nomination on the nomination form.  

If you have any questions about completing the nomination proforma you can contact the BDA office on 0121 200 8080 and ask for the Honours Committee Administrator.

Assessment of nominations

The BDA Honours Committee will consider all nominations using a standardised assessment based on the judging criteria in sections 2, 3, 4 and 5.

  • Each nomination is critically appraised by all members of the Honours committee.
  • If your nomination is considered to fit into a different category than you have indicated, then the Honours committee reserves the right to alter this (as agreed by the BDA board of Directors)
  • Do not submit more than one proforma per nominee. Should this occur, ALL forms will be considered null and void and returned. If you are in any doubt then please contact the BDA office on 0121 200 8080 and ask for the Honours Committee Administrator before submitting.

The BDA Honours Committee will give recommendations to the BDA Board of Directors to take the final decision on conferring the Fellowship.

The discussions will be confidential and no further correspondence will be entered into. Successful nominees will be informed by the Honorary Chairman and Chief Executive. 

The Fellowship Honour will be presented by the Honorary President and Chairman of the Association at a National BDA event such as the Awards Ceremony or the Annual General Meeting following which, a notice will appear in Dietetics Today.