Dietitians Week 2025

The future of dietetics

If there is one thing we know for sure with dietetics, it’s that nothing stands still. There’s always new evidence, new technology, new ways of working, new career paths, new patients and new expectations, to name just a few. This newness can be daunting no matter what stage of your career you are in but it’s also incredibly exciting.

This Dietitians Week we look at what the future might bring, where a career might lead and how we can all support and protect the profession in the years to come.

Along with your favourites from our celebration week, including our daily themes, free resource packs and awards for the best in our profession, we’ll also be exploring some important topics about where we’re going as a workforce and what we can see in our future.

Some of you may remember Future Dietitian 2025, a research project by the BDA and Plymouth University back in 2017. The project’s aim was to ensure the profession remained relevant in a rapidly changing world. We’ll be taking a look at the findings of that report and see where we are at.

We’ll also be asking for your predictions for where we are going, which areas you see your careers developing into and what you are excited for, whether you’ve seen much change over the years or if you are just embarking on your career.

Amidst these times of change, our constant is always the passion and dedication of the dietetic workforce. Our diverse mix of dietitians, sports nutritionists, support workers, educators, researchers, those in industry and those working in very specialist areas as well as many more, continue to maintain exceptional standards, supporting the health of millions of people and advancing this incredible profession. And, for those of you just starting out and in training – what an amazing career you have ahead of you.

Are we ready to embrace the future? Of course we are!

Your guide to celebrating #DW2025

Dietitians Week is a chance for us to all come together and shout loud and proud about what you do and the importance of your work. Every year we’re so impressed with all of the fun activities you run and you get more and more inventive every year.

We hope this year’s theme of the future of dietetics will inspire even more creativity, as we embrace all of the exciting things that the next 5,10 and 20 years hold - dietetics really is a career for life!

Daily themes

Here are this year’s daily themes. These are prompts to steer the type of content you might want to share on social media or to generate conversations with colleagues. We’ll be sharing member stories and BDA activity throughout the week but, as always, we would love to hear what you have to say on these topics too.

As well as discussing these themes, we hope you will continue to share all of your weird and wonderful goings-on from the week, including your fun videos, department stands, presentations, team or student celebrations and bake-offs! Tag us in so we can share as many of your activities as possible.

Monday

Here at the BDA, we think the future of dietetics looks bright! But look into your crystal ball, what do you see? What are your predictions? Are there areas that dietetics are yet to explore? How will roles diversify? Share the exciting developments you see for us all.

Tuesday

Tech is moving at lightning speed. We’ll be sharing some exciting projects to explore where new developments may take us, but we’re keen to hear what you are already seeing. Is something making your life easier? Or what jobs would you love to see tech taking on so you can get back to doing what you do best, being with your patients and clients?

Wednesday

As we come together again to celebrate the BDA Awards and Honours, it’s a good opportunity to acknowledge and champion all of your forward-thinking colleagues. Who deserves a thank you? Who would you like to pay tribute to?

Thursday

The dietetic profession has always been innovative. But, who would you consider as pioneering? Some key names come to mind but there will also be some unsung heroes that have supported you and your career or directed your practice. Let’s look back, in order to look forward.

Friday

Whether you’re in training, have just started your dietetic career or have been around for a while, tell us what you are excited about. Are there areas you want to develop in? Do you have a big goal you want to reach? Regardless of what stage of career you’re in, let’s all celebrate and support your future goals and aspirations - big or small.

Daily activities

Monday

What does the next 5, 10 or 20 years hold for dietetics? We’ll be looking into our crystal ball. We’d love to hear your thoughts on the future of the profession, so please take part in our discussions on social media.

Whilst you’re looking ahead, why not write a short comment on our hopes and predictions message board?

It’s our student members’ final chance to write to their future self, to be in with a chance of winning a BDA goodie bag. Send any final letters via the online form by 5pm on 2 June.

At 8pm, join the team behind @RDUKChat on X and share your thoughts on where dietetics is heading and the opportunities that lie ahead. Get a sneak peek at the questions here.

Tuesday

Let’s get digital! Share how technology is or perhaps isn’t making your life easier over on social media.

New digital developments have so much potential for dietetic practice. What exciting projects have you been involved in?

Take a look at the BDA’s new Digital Vision and see how a digital champion or buddy could support your workplace in the future.

Wednesday

Don’t forget to celebrate progress today and thank or celebrate your brilliant colleagues. It’s also a great moment to give yourself a pat on the back for the wonderful work you do.

Follow our coverage of the BDA Awards and Honours over on our social media channels, as we award the very best in dietetics at our ceremony in Birmingham.

Thursday

Tell us who you would consider a pioneer in dietetics. Let’s acknowledge the individuals who have laid the foundations for the achievements of the future.

Elsie Widdowson will be honoured with a blue plaque at King's College Hospital in London this week. Celebrating the pioneers of both the past and the present, we’re hoping to announce the speaker of this year's Elsie Widdowson Memorial Lecture too. Watch this space!

Join our first Diversifying dietetics webinar with Radical Dietitian Lucy Aphramor! It’s a great opportunity to reflect on their leading work in this area. Sign up to the free webinar here.

If you are based in Northern Ireland, join colleagues in Ballymena for an evening of connection and collaboration. More details are available here.

Friday

Let’s end the week on an even more positive note by sharing what you are excited about in your dietetic future over on social media.

Our time capsule will be locked, to be opened in 2036 (our 100^th anniversary). Inside will be our five winning letters from students to their future selves, a letter from CEO to CEO, Chair to Chair and Student Rep to Student Rep, along with pledges from our specialist group, sub-group and branch committees.

Downloadable assets

Printable resources and templates

Social media graphics

Presentations and video calling

Letters to the future BDA Chair, CEO and Student Rep

We asked our Chair, Susan Price, CEO, Liz Stockley and Student Rep, April Aslett to write a letter to their successors to be read in 2036 - our 100th anniversary. They've shared their predictions and hopes for the future, as well as offered advice to the Chair, CEO and Student Rep of 2036.

The letters have been put in our time capsule for safe keeping, which will be opened as part of our celebrations in 11 years time.

Read the letters here.