Author: Sarah Anderson
Acknowledgements: We are grateful to our board member and Founder-Director of Sustainable Cities, Saeeda Ahmed, for joining us to give out the 2024 awards.
On the 25th of September 2024, the NNEdPro-IANE Awards Symposium took place at the historic Wolfson College, Cambridge, bringing together experts, educators, and students in the field of nutrition to celebrate outstanding contributions to nutrition education.
Organised by the NNEdPro Global Institute and the International Academy of Nutrition Educators (IANE), in partnership with BMJ Nutrition, Prevention & Health (BMJ NPH), and supported by The International Food and Nutrition Trust (TIFN), the event was a testament to the dedication and achievements of individuals making significant strides in nutrition and public health.
A Warm Welcome and Opening Remarks
The symposium commenced with an engaging introduction by co-hosts Professor Sumantra Ray and Professor Pauline Douglas, whose insights set the tone for a day of recognition and reflection. Their remarks highlighted the growing importance of nutrition education in improving global health outcomes and the role NNEdPro-IANE has played in advancing this mission. Following this, Lord Richard Balfe, Joint Honorary President of the NNEdPro-IANE, delivered the opening remarks.
Recognising the Trailblazers in Nutrition Education
The Awards Symposium is more than just an event—it's a celebration of progress. By recognising the achievements of faculty members, professionals, students, and administrators, NNEdPro and IANE aim to inspire a new generation of nutrition educators and advocates. The awards reflect the breadth of expertise and dedication across diverse areas, from curriculum development to public health initiatives.
The 2024 Award Categories
This year's awards spanned several categories, each designed to honour excellence across various sectors of the NNEdPro-IANE community. The awards presented were:
Outstanding Achievement Award
NNEdPro-IANE Fellowship
Associate Member of the Year
Professional Member of the Year
Faculty Member of the Year
Student Member of the Year
Administrative Member of the Year
BMJ NPH Paper of the Year
Each awardee was recognised for their technical achievements and dedication to advancing the understanding and importance of nutrition education in global health.
Spotlight on the 2024 Award Recipients
A highlight of the event was the presentation of the Joint Outstanding Achievement Awards, which recognised two distinguished leaders in nutrition education. Professor Nitya Rao (University of East Anglia) and Professor Susan Lanham-New (University of Surrey) were awarded Honorary Fellowships for their exceptional contributions to nutrition science and public health. As part of their recognition, both professors delivered keynote presentations, sharing insights from their extensive careers and groundbreaking research, which have significantly advanced the understanding and implementation of nutrition education globally.
Among the other winners, Professor Clare Wall from the University of Auckland was named Faculty Member of the Year, a reflection of her groundbreaking work in nutrition education. Meanwhile, Jodie Webber from the University of Cambridge and Dr Tam Lac from the Karolinska Institute were jointly awarded Student Member of the Year for their exceptional academic contributions.
Special recognition went to Dr Sabyasachi Ray from Peerless Hospital in Kolkata, who was named Associate Member of the Year, and Annemieke Van Ginkel-Res, representing the European Federation of the Association of Dietitians, was awarded Professional Member of the Year. Their efforts underscore the global impact of the NNEdPro-IANE network.
Sarah Anderson and Debashis Chakrabarty were jointly honoured as Administrative Members of the Year for their role in the summit logistics, while Sucheta Mitra and Matheus Abrantes were recognised for their operational leadership.
Celebrating Innovation and Collaboration
Innovation was a key theme of the day, with the TIGR2ESS Programme (led by Dr Rekha Bhangaonkar and Prof Shailaja Fennel) and Maria Kardakova, founder of iCook, receiving Special Recognition Awards. These projects exemplify how innovation in nutrition education can translate into real-world impact, addressing issues such as food security, community health, and microenterprise.
Looking Ahead: The Future of Nutrition Education
The NNEdPro-IANE Awards Symposium 2024 not only celebrated the remarkable achievements of individuals but also fostered discussions on the future of nutrition education. Attendees were encouraged to continue pushing boundaries and seeking innovative solutions to global health challenges.
As the event concluded, there was a palpable sense of optimism for what lies ahead. The symposium was a powerful reminder that we can create lasting change in nutrition education and public health through collaboration, dedication, and innovation.
The event's success and the awardees' accomplishments reflect the vital work being done within the NNEdPro-IANE network and beyond. As we look forward to the next chapter, there is no doubt that these leaders will continue to shape the future of global nutrition.
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