We support our members to do research that will inform and advance dietetic practice. This page features current research opportunities including survey or interview requests from your fellow BDA colleagues and our supporters. Please help them out by submitting a response or registering your interest so they can explore the views of the dietetic workforce within the UK.
If you are a BDA member, and interested in posting a researcher request, please click the link below to complete the submission form:
Survey: Attitudes and readiness of UK registered dietitians to use artificial intelligence in practice
Organisation: Leeds Beckett University (Student project)
Description: This study seeks to identify perceived benefits and barriers, addressing the current lack of UK-specific evidence. Findings will help inform future education, policy and the effective and appropriate use of AI within dietetic practice.
Closing date: 1 June 2026.
Survey: Perspectives of UK healthcare professionals on dietary management of Type 2 Diabetes and the use of nutrition apps
Organisation: University of Reading
Description: This study invites UK-based healthcare professionals who work with people living with type 2 diabetes to complete a short (15‑minute) survey about their perspectives on dietary management and the use of nutrition apps in practice.
Closing date: 29 May 2026.
Survey: Dietitians' perspectives on dark kitchens
Organisation: London Metropolitan University (BSc student project)
Description: The aim of this project is to explore UK dietitians’ awareness and professional views regarding delivery-only food outlets, commonly referred to as “dark kitchens.” The study will investigate perceptions relating to:
- Nutritional transparency (e.g., calorie and allergen labelling)
- Food safety and regulatory oversight
- The impact of the digital food environment on public health
- Potential links to health inequalities
The findings will contribute to academic understanding of how emerging digital food models may influence nutrition and public health practice.
Closing date: 05 April 2026.
Survey: Knowledge, perceptions and professional experiences of UK dietitians regarding the use of GLP-1 receptor agonists in weight managment services
Organisation: Glasgow Caledonian University (BSc research project)
Description: The aim of this research is to investigate UK dietitians’ knowledge, perceptions, and professional experiences of GLP-1 receptor agonists within specialist weight management services, with a view to identifying gaps in understanding and training, support needs, and potential implications for dietetic practice and service delivery. This study involves participants in their personal capacity as individuals and not in a professional capacity as NHS staff.
Closing date: 27 March 2026.
Survey: The impact of GLP-1 receptor agonists on dietetic treatment, preparedness and training needs in UK clinical practice
Organisation: London Metropolitan University (Student project)
Description: This project aims to explore how the use of GLP-1 receptor agonists has influenced dietetic treatment in UK clinical practice. The project will focus on three related themes regarding UK Dietitians’ treatment of patients using GLP-1 receptor agonists:
- How, if at all, dietetic treatment has been adapted for these patients.
- How confident and prepared Dietitians feel to provide this treatment.
- What guidance or support may be needed to help guide treatment.
The findings will help identify current approaches, areas of confidence, and potential gaps in training or guidance within dietetic practice.
Closing date: 03 April 2026.
Survey: Exploring dietitians’ use of nutritional assessment tools and their application confidence: Informing professional development
Organisation: Newcastle university (MSc Project: Lianna Ng at [email protected])
Description: This study aims to identify what nutritional assessment tools are used by dietitians, their confidence in tool application, and views on its use in clinical practice, informing future professional development within the workforce.
Closing date: 27 March 2026.
Expression of interest: UK IBD Priority Setting Partnership (PSP) Steering Group
Description:
The UK Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) PSP will undertake a national refresh in 2026 to identify the Top 10 research priorities in IBD.
This initiative is led by Professor Nick Powell (Imperial College London) and is supported by the British Society of Gastroenterology (BSG) and Crohn’s & Colitis UK. The previous UK IBD PSP (published in 2017) informed subsequent national research strategy and funding priorities.
They are now inviting expressions of interest from UK dietitians to join the multidisciplinary steering group overseeing this process.
Dietetic expertise is central to the care of people living with Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis, and we are keen to ensure strong representation from across the UK. We anticipate appointing up to two dietitian representatives to the steering group. The Priority Setting Partnership process is expected to run for approximately 12 months, with meetings held virtually.
Steering group members will:
- Participate in virtual steering group meetings
- Contribute to shaping national IBD research priorities
- Help ensure broad professional and patient representation
Applications are encouraged from dietitians working in all settings and regions of the UK. No prior research or steering group experience is required.
To register your interest please email [email protected] and include details of your current role and institution, your current involvement in IBD care and any relevant experience in IBD-related dietetic research, audit, guideline development, or service improvement (if applicable).
Closing date: Tuesday 31 March 2026.
Survey: Dietary Advice for the Management of Malnutrition
Organisation: The British Assocation for Parenteral and Enteral Nutrition (BAPEN)
Description: BAPEN is pleased to launch a new UK-wide survey exploring current dietary advice used in the management of malnutrition, including training on first line dietary advice and the resources available. They are inviting dietitians, students, and all healthcare professionals to take part and support this important BAPEN‑funded project.
Your insights will help them review existing practices and understand how they can offer clearer, fairer, and more practical support for people at risk of, or living with, malnutrition.
Survey: AHP Workforce Priority Setting Partnership Staff Survey
The AHP Workforce Priority Setting Partnership (PSP) aims to work with the UK AHP workforce, along with representatives of the people and communities accessing their services, to identify the most important unanswered questions about the AHP workforce.
The scope of the AHP Workforce PSP is defined as:
Any aspects of the UK AHP workforce, including but not limited to recruitment and retention, diversity, leadership roles, skills mix, AHP training & education, and career progression.
They would like to hear from:
- Patients and public with experience of accessing AHP services (service users)
- The Allied Health Professions as defined by NHS England (https://www.england.nhs.uk/ahp/role/)
- AHPs working within any UK setting.
- AHPs who have recently left or retired from their profession (within the last 5 years).
- Pre-registration AHPs (learners)
- AHP support workforce (e.g. support workers, technicians, assistant practitioners etc)
Survey: AHP support workforce's role in supporting students
Institution: Kings College London
Description: King’s College London, assisted by NHS England, is undertaking research, the first of its kind, to understand the part that AHP support staff* play assisting students.
Are you a member of the AHP support workforce? Do you work in the NHS, or social care, or the charity or voluntary sectors, industry or private practice?
Does your job involve assisting people in your workplace who might be on a work experience placement or a student from a Further Education college studying for a BTEC or T Level, or assisting other staff completing the Care Certificate or an apprenticeship or supporting pre-registration degree students including Degree Apprentices?
If you do support students, we would be grateful if you could take 10 minutes to complete an anonymous survey. Participation in the survey is voluntary.
*"Support staff” are defined as those members of a care team who work in a patient facing role but are not registered with and regulated by the Health Care Professions Council. In the NHS such roles are frequently graded at Agenda for Change bands 2, 3, 4