Research is the foundation of the dietetic profession, providing the evidence base our practice, education and policy work relies on. The Symposium provides dietitians, dietetic students and researchers an opportunity to showcase their research, highlight the ongoing development of dietetic practice, and be published in the BDA Journal of Human Nutrition and Dietetics (JHND).
The BDA's 2024 Research Symposium saw 106 abstracts presented across 16 streams.
Not only was this a record breaking number of pieces of research being shared but the BDA also saw the biggest attendance for the event too. Read our round-up here and view the photos below.
Sponsored by
We believe most (if not all) of our members are currently undertaking research, whether they are in traditional research settings or in practice.
Research can be defined as 'the systematic investigation into and study of materials and sources in order to establish facts and reach new conclusions'
The symposium aims to:
- Provide a forum for the presentation of research findings and methods in the field of nutrition and dietetics.
- Foster collaboration between researchers within the dietetic profession.
- Identify and share effective interventions and practice within the key topics of the symposium.
- Stimulate an increase in the quantity and quality of research in dietetics and nutrition.
- Promote dietitians as leaders in the field of nutrition and dietetic research.
FAQs
Who can present?
Anyone who is researching in the field of dietetics and human nutrition is invited to submit their abstract to the symposium.
We welcome students, new graduates, practising clinical dietitians and dedicated researchers, as well as non-dietitians, to present and attend. The Symposium is for all members of the dietetic workforce.
Previous attendees include those taking their first steps in research, presenting their student research projects alongside MRes, PhD and clinical dietitians’ projects. The event will enable dietitians to showcase their research and practice, and participate in workshops to develop their skills.
We've been delighted to welcome to previous symposiums:
- dietitians who have completed research from Masters Dissertation, MRes, or other higher degrees
- researchers involved in a dietetic research area
- dietitians involved in research programmes
- dietitians who have undertaken an audit or evaluation of practice
- dietitians working in clinical practice
- student dietitians who have recently completed their final year dissertation projects
Research Streams
Each year, we have a number of streams, in 2024 we will hear work from across 16 main streams, no work will be rejected based on theme.
- Clinical Nutrition, including malnutrition- sponsored by Stanningley Pharma
- Critical Care - supported by Critical Care Specialist Group
- Diabetes - supported by Diabetes Specialist Group
- Gastro - supported by the Gastroenterology Specialist Group
- Maternal and Fertility Nutrition - supported by Maternal and Fertility Nutrition Specialist Group
- Mental Health, Eating Disorders and Learning Disabilities - supported by Mental Health Specialist Group
- New to Research, including MRes and PhD research
- Nutrition Support - supported by PENG Specialist Group
- Obesity - supported by Obesity Specialist Group
- Optimising Nutrition Prescribing - supported by Optimising Nutrition Prescribing Specialist Group Research on the prescription of nutritional borderline substances including prescribing improvements (cost and quality), safety, governance and professionalism.
- Nutrition in Older Adults - supported by the Older People Specialist Group
- Paediatric – supported by Paediatric Specialist Group
- Public Health, including freelance and industry
- Renal Nutrition - support by Renal Nutrition Specialist Group
- Service Evaluation – sponsored by Nestlé HealthCare Nutrition
- Supplementary Prescribing (Medicines) - supported by Prescribers Sub-Group
Showcasing the latest research in the field of dietetic supplementary prescribing. Exploring the role and impact of dietetic prescribers in practice, and supporting our case for independent prescribing.
NEW STREAM FOR 2025 - Education Stream including Practice based learning
How to submit your abstract
1. Prepare your abstract in line with the submission guidance
We have provided guidelines for authors in the abstract instruction document.
The abstracts are judged anonymously using the reviewers' guidance. The abstract submission process is open to everyone and no abstract will be rejected based on topic.
To submit an abstract, please read the abstract instruction document and JHND NOTES and abstract example.
2. Register your abstract using the online booking system and upload your abstract submission
Review the research stream and submit your abstract in your chosen stream via the online booking system streams open until 10am on Thursday 8 August. Extensions will be considered upon request.
If you have any problems with the online booking system please contact [email protected]
Next steps
1. Following submission you will receive an automated confirmation confirming receipt of your submission.
2. Your abstract is sent for peer review
3. In September, following review, you will be advised whether your abstract has been accepted or rejected and whether any amendments are necessary. Any required amendments will be communicated to you. Should your abstract be rejected, you will also receive feedback.
4. You will be provided a time frame to return your abstract with any amendments.
5. Start to prepare your three slide powerpoint presentation.
Deadline for submission will be in November, exact date tbc. You will be allocated five minutes to present and an additional two minutes for Q&A. Slides should be in 16:9 format.
6. Attend and enjoy!
Financial support
Some BDA Specialist Groups have provided bursaries to cover the cost of attendance. Bursaries are allocated on a first come-first served basis and are paid following the abstract being presented.
Bursaries currently available
- Diabetes - 5 x bursaries for Diabetes Specialist Group members (bursary to cover registration fee)
- Gastroenterology Stream - 10 x bursaries for Gastroenterology Specialist Group Members (bursary to cover registration fee)
- Maternal and Fertility Nutrition - 3 x bursaries for Maternal and Fertility Nutrition Specialist Group Members (bursary to cover registration fee)
- Mental Health, Eating Disorders and Learning Disabilities Stream - 10 x bursaries for Mental Health Specialist Group Members (bursary to cover registration fee)
- Nutrition Support Stream - 10 x £100 bursaries for PENG Specialist Group Members (bursary to cover registration fee and towards travel)
- Obesity - 6 x bursaries for Obesity Specialist Group Members (bursary to cover registration fee)
- Older Adults - 5 x bursaries for Older People Specialist Group Members (bursary to cover registration fee)
- Optimising Nutrition Prescribing - 2 x bursaries for Optimising Nutrition Prescribing Specialist Group Members (bursary to cover registration fee)
- Paediatric - 10 x bursaries for Paediatric Specialist Group Members (bursary to cover registration fee)
- Renal Nutrition - 10 x £100 bursaries open to any BDA member with a renal specific topic (inc. student members, non-renal dietitian BDA members) (bursary to cover registration fee and towards travel)
- Supplementary Prescribing (Medicines) - 5 x Bursaries for Prescribers Sub-Group Members (bursary to cover registration fee)
Bursaries are subject to the abstract being presented live on the day and will be reimbursed after the event. You will be contacted in October.
GET Trustees have also established funding to support BDA members attending conferences and events. Please submit your form and abstract at least three weeks before the relevant Trustee meeting, to allow it to be assessed and reviewed.
What happens on the day?
In addition to the abstracts being presented during the day, we also hear from dietitians involved in the world of research. We have previously heard from Dr Miranda Lomer, Dr Danni Bear, Dr Gary Frost, Dr Clare Pettinger, Professor Mary Hickson, Maria Barrett, Sally Abbott and more.
We have also held breakfast sessions with Quorn Foods, California Walnut Board and Precision Biotics in the past and also masterclasses on pitfalls and perils of manuscript submission, funding opportunities with GET and top tips on using Practice-based Evidence in Nutrition (PEN)
Initial timings for the day are 9.15am-4.30pm, with breakfast session from 8.15am. Details for the breakfast session will be confirmed in due course. The programme is defined by the number of abstracts being presented on the day so these may change. We will notify attendees of the final timings as soon as the programme is finalised.