About Us
The Academy of Nutrition Sciences (ANS) was established in 2019 to provide a collective voice for the nutrition science discipline, including those engaged in research, education and training, clinical practice, and nutrition science communication.
Vision:
to be an authoritative voice advancing and promoting evidence-based nutrition science.
Mission:
to champion nutrition science, enhancing its impact on policy and health for public benefit.
The Academy is a result of a longstanding collaboration between four organisations: the Association for Nutrition, the British Dietetic Association, the British Nutrition Foundation, and the Nutrition Society. These four organisations are the founder members of the Academy.
The Academy has a strong interest in nutrition research excellence, development of the nutrition science discipline and application of the outcomes of rigorous nutrition science for public benefit. An interview with Professor Kevin Whelan, a Trustee of the Academy, describes how these interests are being pursued through a series of Position Papers and related activities.
The academy also seeks to reduce the levels of misinformation about nutrition and health and improve understanding of how evidence is scrutinised and evaluated to produce dietary recommendations.
The main audience for the Academy’s work is the nutrition science community/profession and its stakeholders (including government/policy makers and research funding agencies).
What are the main activities of the Academy?
To deliver the vision and mission, the charity’s Trustees have developed a Strategic Plan, with three strategic priorities:
Promoting Collaboration and Partnerships
Influencing Science and Policy
Developing our Organisational Resilience
Various activities are being initiated that align with one of more of the three strategic priorities. These are being chosen to add value, focusing on outcomes that an individual member organisation could not achieve alone, and may also build on existing work in one or more member organisation(s) to bring greater prominence, amplify the impact or build synergies across the field.
The main outputs to date are Position Papers (published open access in peer-reviewed scientific journals).
Position Papers present the Academy’s formal position on a major topic, identifying challenges and opportunities, and making recommendations.
The Academy also publishes topical blog posts on its website. Some of these focus on the Academy’s Position Papers with the aim to encourage debate or reflection on controversial issues, focusing on the strength of the evidence base underpinning these issues. Unlike our Position Papers, blog posts do not present an official position of the Academy.
Over time, to achieve the charitable object in our constitution, it is expected that the scope of the Academy’s activities will address Leadership; Communication; Education and Training; stakeholder relationships; and advancing the research agenda.
For more information visit the FAQs page.
The four founding members
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Association for Nutrition
The AfN was established in 2008 as an independent regulator of nutritionists, and incorporated as a Charity in 2010. It holds the UKVRN (United Kingdom Voluntary Register of Nutritionists) and awards the titles Registered Nutritionist and Registered Associate Nutritionist. AfN is responsible for public protection, upholding standards for the safe and effective practice of nutrition and providing a fitness to practice process to benefit members of the public by holding professionals to account. The AfN accredits scientific degree programmes in nutrition, both in the UK and internationally, as well as certifying non degree level courses for the wider workforce. AfN sets standards for training, continuing professional development, and for the professional practice of its registrants.
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British Dietetic Association
The BDA was founded in 1936, and is the professional body and trade union for dietitians in the UK. It is one of the oldest and most established dietetic associations in the world. Its primary purpose is to advance the science and practice of dietetics and improve the health of the nation. Membership is open to anyone with a dietetic or nutrition qualification, as well as anyone with an interest in diet or food. The BDA is run by an appointed Board of Directors, some of whom are independent of the profession. The BDA campaigns on behalf of its membership and also on matters which will improve the health of the public. Its funding largely comes from its individual members, as well as from commercial activity and trading.
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British Nutrition Foundation
The British Nutrition Foundation is a registered charity that provides impartial, evidence-based information, resources and training on food and nutrition. We want a future where everyone has a healthy, sustainable diet and are working towards this through changing the food environment, advocating science and building consensus and supporting improved consumer knowledge, skills and motivation. What sets The British Nutrition Foundation apart is its ability to bring together those with an interest in food and nutrition from diverse sectors - academia, medicine, education, communication and the food chain. We do not lobby, endorse any products, or engage in food advertising campaigns.
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Nutrition Society
The Nutrition Society is a diverse community with the independence and courage to challenge, question and progress forward the field of nutrition. Through a progressive approach that champions collaboration, we welcome members from around the world, regardless of their level of expertise. Members must have a genuine interest in pushing forward the field of nutrition for the benefit of people, animals while balancing the health of our planet too. We provide access to the latest thinking on the role nutrition plays in human and animal health through our 12 journals and textbooks, as well as a range of nutrition science conferences, , giving you guidance on how to apply it to your own research and help you connect with other scientists.
