Guest biography

Professor Sandra Capra AM is the Professor of Nutrition as well as the Academic director of Human Movement and Nutrition Sciences at the University of Queensland in Australia.

She is also a Member of the Centre for Dietetics Research and is part of the Dietitian Connection Scientific Advisory Board. Sandra has been recognised for her service to nutrition and dietetics by being appointed a Member of the Order of Australia and a fellow of the Dietitians Association of Australia.

In the past, Sandra has held a number of senior dietetic positions both in Australia and overseas. She has served on many national committees including those setting the nutrient reference values for Australia and New Zealand and the Dietary Guidelines for Australia.

She served three terms as President of the Dietitians Association of Australia. Sandra was also an independent Director of Health Workforce Australia from 2010-2014.

Sandra’s research has focussed on practice based research, tools development, systems and outcomes. She has published more than 200 written works including more than 80 peer reviewed articles.

In addition, Sandra holds the position of president of the International Confederation of Dietetic Associations as well as Conjoint Professor of Nutrition and Dietetics at the University of Newcastle.

 

In this episode, we discuss:

 

– The highlights of Sandra’s career:

Member of the order of Australia.

Foodservice at Princess Alexandra Hospital, Brisbane, Australia.

Setting up dietetics research in Queensland.

– Sandra’s Master’s degree in Social Science and how it enhances her approach to dietetics. We also discuss Sandra’s outcomes-based-approach to dietetics.

– Sandra’s current role at The University of Queensland – from quality assurance to PhD supervisor to management activities, just to name a few.

– Sandra’s work on the Dietitian Connection Scientific Advisory Board.

– The role of mentorship in Sandra’s professional life, decisional balance and providing perspective.

– How Sandra builds successful teams and “leads from behind”.

– Characteristics of a great leader: resilience, vision and determination, a high level of knowledge and good communication. Be prepared to step up!

– The future challenges for dietitians: initiating lifestyle changes and navigating our way through a broad profession.

 

 

Additional resources

 

Click here for Sandra’s UQ profile