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).
Wednesday 4 December 2024
Abstract submission is now closed - register to attend and hear the amazing research!
In addition to over 80 abstracts being presented during the day we will hear from Dr Adrian Brown, University College London presenting from practice to research – the long and winding road and a breakfast session with Yakult - From Gut to Glow: the role of probiotics, prebiotics and synbiotics in skin health
Adrian will cover his career journey from working in the NHS to becoming a research dietitian. It will specifically cover the process of getting his NIHR fellowship, practical advice for dietitians thinking about applying for a fellowship or funding and discuss how as a dietetic profession we can become more research active.
About Adrian - Dr Adrian Brown is a NIHR Advanced Fellow and Senior Research Fellow/Lecturer in Nutrition and Dietetics in the Centre of Obesity Research at University College London and programme co-lead of the MSc Dietetics (Pre-registration) course at UCL. He is also a Senior Specialist Weight Management and Bariatric dietitian with over 17 years of clinical experience and a PhD in Medicine from Imperial College London.
His research interests centre around obesity, type 2 diabetes, bariatric surgery, weight stigma, ultra-processed foods, weight related terminology, food insecurity and sustainability in people living with obesity and the use of formula-based diets in different patient populations. With his NIHR Advanced fellowship focussing on weight loss in people living with obesity and kidney failure on haemodialysis prior to kidney transplant.
Dr Brown is Chair of the Specialist Obesity Group for the British Dietetic Association, on the board of trustees for the Academy of Nutrition Science, an Honorary Academic for Office for Health Improvement and Disparities, on the strategic council for APPG on Obesity, Steering Committee for Obesity Empowerment Network and is on the scientific council of the British Nutrition Foundation. He is also Associated Editor for Clinical Obesity and one of the editors of the Manual of Practice.
From Gut to Glow: the role of probiotics, prebiotics and synbiotics in skin health - Breakfast session with Yakult
From infancy to old age, skin undergoes numerous changes. Skin conditions that are often more likely to occur at specific life stages, e.g. atopic dermatitis in children, acne in adolescents and adults, psoriasis in older adults, as well as skin ageing, are driven by inflammation. Over the last decade there has been an increased focus on the gut-skin axis and how microbial-related therapies could be utilised to prevent inflammatory skin conditions. Probiotics, prebiotics and synbiotics are immune system modulators via their effects on the gut microbiome, and therefore have the potential to improve functional indicators of skin health and delay skin ageing. Yakult Science for Health will present results from their collaborative research with King’s College London; a scoping review addressing how oral probiotics, prebiotics and synbiotics can improve and optimise skin health throughout the entire life course.
From infancy to old age, skin undergoes numerous changes. Skin conditions that are often more likely to occur at specific life stages, e.g. atopic dermatitis in children, acne in adolescents and adults, psoriasis in older adults, as well as skin ageing, are driven by inflammation. Over the last decade there has been an increased focus on the gut-skin axis and how microbial-related therapies could be utilised to prevent inflammatory skin conditions. Probiotics, prebiotics and synbiotics are immune system modulators via their effects on the gut microbiome, and therefore have the potential to improve functional indicators of skin health and delay skin ageing. Yakult Science for Health will present results from their collaborative research with King’s College London; a scoping review addressing how oral probiotics, prebiotics and synbiotics can improve and optimise skin health throughout the entire life course.
Dr Emily Prpa – Emily is an award-winning registered nutritionist and the Science Manager at Yakult UK and Ireland, with a PhD in Nutritional Sciences from King’s College London. Her research has been presented internationally and helped inform UK Food Policy. She is considered one of the leading experts in her field and is frequently featured in the media, including the BBC and Sky News.
Dr Holly Neill - Holly is the Science Officer at Yakult UK and Ireland where she communicates the latest research on the gut microbiota, probiotics, and health. Before moving to industry, she worked as a postdoctoral researcher and has published her research in high impact journals alongside presenting at both national and international conferences.
Cost
- BDA Member £70.00
- BDA Student Member £60.00
- Dietetic Student £70.00
- BDA Dietetic Support Workforce Member £65.00
- Non Member £99.00
Funding / bursary support is available - please see below. If your abstract is rejected your registration will be cancelled without charge.
Returning for 2024 - There will be limited opportunities to submit abstracts to be presented as a recording during the day. If you provide a recorded abstract you will not attend the day, the abstract will be presented with a voice-over and published (Subject to your approval) in JHND. We will review this opportunity to decide on plans for 2024.
Sponsored by
Booking terms and conditions can be referred to here.
Look back at the 2023 Research Symposium
We held the 2023 Symposium on 6 December in Birmingham. Check out the selection of photos of the day below!
2023 event 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) Following abstract submission we will pass your details over to the committee for follow up communications on the bursary claim.
- 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) Following abstract submission we will pass your details over to the committee for follow up communications on the bursary claim.
- 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.