Dr Lucinda Bell is a Postdoctoral Research Fellow in the Caring Futures Institute at Flinders University. She is a nationally recognised public health nutrition researcher, focused on enhancing children’s health and nutrition from early in life. She has a strong track record in paediatric dietary assessment, nutrition epidemiology, evidence synthesis, and the delivery and evaluation of child nutrition and weight management initiatives across a range of settings: childcare centres, families, and communities. Dr Bell’s body of research has helped transform approaches to the prevention and management of childhood obesity and has improved our ability to routinely monitor and measure diet-related behaviours. Her outstanding individual contribution to research has been recognized through receiving a Flinders University Vice Chancellor's Early Career Researcher award in 2016.

ACTIVE RESEARCH PROJECTS

BELL LK, Matvienko-Sikar K, Johnson B, Hunter K, Seidler AL, Golley RK “A standardised approach to measuring outcomes in early obesity-prevention interventions”. (NHMRC CRE) (APP2006999) https://earlychildhoodobesity.com/

Golley RK, BELL LK… Scott J, Diep Ha, Do L “Determinants of inequality in child oral health at school age – A prospective cohort study” (NHMRC Project) (APP1144595)

Child nutrition

Childhood obesity

Dietary assessment

Dietary patterns

Infant feeding

Public health nutrition

Early childhood health behaviours

Primary prevention of chronic disease

I believe in providing a warm, safe, supportive, and judgement-free environment for my students to allow them to build their knowledge and develop their skills as a researcher. I aim to be an enabler of their learning, providing them with the guidance and direction to find answers to their questions, opportunities for professional development and to be an independent researcher. I aim to inspire and challenge students to think deeply, critically and creatively to enhance their learning and to encourage them to take responsibility for their own learning to foster life-long learning. I aim to facilitate opportunities for experiencing diverse research environments through collaboration, partnerships and national and international conference participation. I aim to support my students in planning for not only their candidature but beyond, and in the development of research and academic skills that will foster their career progression.

In my view, the ultimate aim of a supervisor is to enhance the learning of the student and support them towards completion. I believe this requires a nurturing style which encompasses taking an interest in the student’s wellbeing, showing empathy, and facilitating them to receive the right support from the right people within the institution. I genuinely care about my students and believe in listening to their concerns, whether it is related to their PhD or their personal situation. I will act as their supervisor, their mentor and their friend.

POSTGRADUATE

PhD co-supervisor, Shabnam Kashef, Caring Futures Institute, Flinders University [completed 19 Dec 2022]

PhD co-supervisor, Chelsea Mauch, Nutrition & Dietetics, Flinders University [completed 4 Dec 2020]

POLICY ADVOCACY

Infant and Toddler Foods Research Alliance (2022-2023) – infantoddlerfoods.com

National Nutrition Network – Early Education and Care (NNN-ECEC) (2017-2020) – nationalnuritionnetwork.com.au

GOVERNMENT SUBMISSIONS

Royal Commission into Early Childhood Education and Care, 2023

Early Years Strategy submission 2023

SELECTED HONOURS, AWARDS AND PRIZES

Flinders University CNHS Vice President and Executive Dean’s Award for Research (2017)

Flinders University Vice-Chancellor’s Early Career Researcher Award (2016)

SA Channel 9 Young Achiever Award Semi-Finalist (2016)

Best Student Research Paper Award, Flinders University (2014)

Best Student Oral Presentation, Nutrition Society of Australia Conference (2013)