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Orla Kennedy

Orla Kennedy portrait

Current:

  •  Programme Director for MSc Dietetics (pre-reg), May 2024 onwards

Previous:

  • Strategic Partnership Director(Health), October 2021 - May 2024
  • Academic Lead, Programme Expectations Project, Strategic Foundations Programme August 2021 - January 2022
  • Personal chair/professorship awarded 2017
  • University Teaching and Learning Dean (Student Achievement), August 2015 - July 2021
  • Associate Dean (Teaching & Learning), Faculty of Life Sciences, August 2014 - July 2015
  • Associate Dean/ Faculty Director (Teaching & Learning), Faculty of Science, August 2012 - July 2014
  • Faculty Director (Teaching & Learning), Faculty of Science, August 2010 - July 2012
  • Senior Lecturer/Associate Professor, Public Health Nutrition, August 2011- July 2017
  • Lecturer & Programme Director, BSc Nutrition & Food Science, Department of Food & Nutritional Sciences, July 2005 - July 2010
  • University of Westminster: Lecturer & Programme Director, BSc Nutrition, Health and Exercise, School of Biosciences, January 2004 - June 2005

Office

1-43

Building location

Harry Nursten

Areas of interest

 Student development, education, food choice and communication.

Postgraduate supervision

PhDs supervised to date:

  • Sineaid Collins, co-supervisor with Danny Commane, Glenn Gibson and Ian Rowland (Food and Nutritional Sciences (FNS))-Examining the effect of novel -ingredients on measures of appetite and the gut microbiome. April 2014-2018
  • Sherrie Zhou, joint supervisor with Lisa Methven (FNS/Flavour Chemistry) – Examining the role of fats and mechanisms of taste and perceptions, Dec. 2013-2017
  • Mark Hobden, primary supervisor with Glenn Gibson and Ian Rowland (FNS) - Examining the effect of novel fibre ingredients on measures of appetite and the gut microbiome. Oct. 2012- Sept. 2016
  • Amber Shen, joint supervisor with Lisa Methven (FNS/Flavour Chemistry) – Examining the role of taste perception and vegetable consumption. Oct. 2011- Sept. 2015
  • Viviana Albani, co-supervisors Bruce Trail (ex-School of Agriculture Policy and Development (SAPD)) and Laurie Butler (ex-Psychology) - Increasing fruit and vegetable intake in pre-school children, Jan. 2010-Jan. 2014
  • Antonios Ampatzoglou, joint supervisor Parveen Yaqoob (FNS) – Prebiotic effects of whole grain cereals. Oct. 2009- July 2013
  • Phillipa Heath, joint supervisor Carmel Houston-Price (Psychology) – Can visual exposure impact children's liking & intake of fruit and vegetables in toddler hood? Oct. 2008- Sept. 2012
  • Chutipapha Suwankanit, joint supervisor Lisa Methven (FNS/Flavour Chemistry) – Improving the palatability of foods for older adults. May 2008 – April 2012
  • Anna Macready, joint supervisor Laurie Butler (ex-Psychology) – The effect of fruit and vegetable derived flavonoids on cognitive performance, Oct. 2007- Sept. 2011
  • Georgia Herbert, co-supervisors Alex Lobb (ex- SAPD) & Laurie Butler (ex-Psychology) – Barriers to the uptake of fruit and vegetables, Oct. 2006-Sept. 2010
  • Varsha RajaShekar, co-supervisors Adam Cunliffe and Frank Hucklebridge (Westminster) – Effect of micronutrient manipulation on energy expenditure and blood glucose regulation, Oct. 2004 –Sept. 2008

Teaching

Nutrition communication, nutrition policy and professional practice, clinical and applied nutrition.

Communities of Practice

  • Student engagement
  • National Teaching Fellows/University Teaching Fellows
  • Postgraduate programme directors
  • Education for Sustainable development

Research centres and groups

Nutrition Research Group

Research projects

Externally Funded Research

  • Sugar swaps campaign evaluation. Kennedy O.B.(Co-i) 2014/2015. Public Health England
  • Exploring novel protein ingredients affects on appetite regulation and the gut microbiome. Kennedy O.B.(Co-i) 2013/2018
  • An assessment of the way the food industry has transformed lives over the last 100 years.’ Kennedy O.B.(Co-I), 2013/2014 Food and Drink Federation
  • The effects of XXX fibre on appetite regulation. Kennedy,O.B. (P.I) 2012-2017.Roquette
  • The effects of XXX fibre on microbiota in gut model systems. Kennedy,O.B. (P.I) 2011-2012.Roquette
  • Effects of a wholegrain diet on digestive health and markers of immune function in healthy overweight adults. Kennedy,O.B. (P.I)
  • A visual exposure strategy to facilitate the introduction of fruit and vegetables into the diets of toddlers. Kennedy O.B.(Co-i)2010-2012. ESRC
  • Improvement in the Palatability of Clinical Nutrition Feeds and Hospital Prepared Foods for Older Patients in order to Reduce Malnutrition. Kennedy O.B.(Co-i)2010-2012. Helt the Aged & British Geriatric Society
  • Impact of increasing doses of flavonoid-rich and flavonoid-poor fruit and vegetables on cardiovascular risk factors in an 'at risk' group. Kennedy O.B.(Co-i) 2007-2011. FSA

Background

An experienced educator, researcher and leader in nutrition, student development and health.

Academic qualifications

  • PGCAP University of Reading
  • PhD University of Ulster
  • MSc Food Science, Queens University Belfast
  • BSc Human Nutrition and Dietetics, University of Ulster

Awards and honours

2022  University of Reading, AdvanceHE Collaborative Award for Teaching & Learning Nominee for Academic Tutor System Project (project lead)

2021  Academic Tutor System Project, UoR nominee to the Times Higher Education (THE) Awards, for Outstanding Student Support

2021  University of Reading, Winner of the outstanding Contribution to Teaching and Learning (Collaborative award) for the Academic Tutor System project (project lead)

2018  University of Reading, National Teaching Fellowship Nominee

2017  University of Reading, AdvanceHE Collaborative Award for Teaching & Learning Nominee for THRIVE Career Mentoring Project

2016  University of Reading, Winner of the outstanding Contribution to Teaching and Learning (Collaborative award) for the THRIVE Career Mentoring project

2013  University of Reading, University Teaching Fellowship award

2012  University of Reading, Gold Star award recipient, Student nominated award for the Most Outstanding Contribution to Teaching & Learning, Faculty of Life Sciences

2008  Two school awards in recognition of valuable contribution in successfully organising and managing courses and addressing employability issues

2007  School Award for Outstanding Contributions to Teaching and Learning Support (New Staff Category)

2006  University Award Outstanding Contributions to Teaching and Learning Support (Team Teaching Category); The Nutrition Teaching Team

Professional bodies/affiliations

Professional affiliations:

  • Registered Nutritionist(Public Health) Association for Nutrition
  • Registered Dietitian, HCPC
  • Fellow of the Higher Education Academy

Professional bodies:

2023-    Association for Nutrition, deputy registrar and registration committee deputy chair
2023  Royal Berkshire NHS Foundation Trust, partner governor
2022-2023  Association for Nutrition, Registrar & Registration committee chair(maternity leave cover)
2022-2023  Association for Nutrition, Council Trustee(maternity leave cover)
2021-2022  Association for Nutrition, Council Trustee
2021-2022  Association for Nutrition, Business Planning & Governance Committee
2018-    Association for Nutrition, Registration Committee member
2018-2021 Joint Academic Board, (Royal Berkshire Hospital and University of Reading), Education lead
2017-2020   Association for Nutrition, Council Trustee
2014-2018  Association for Nutrition, Course Accreditor
2007-2010  Nutrition Society, council member
2013-    Nutrition Bulletin-editorial board

University of Reading - university level:

2021-2024  Strategic Partnership Board- (Health)
2021-2024  Health Innovation Partnership
2019-2021  Personal Titles group
2020-2021  Diversity and Inclusion Advisory Board
2020-2021  Access and Participation Committee
2018-2021  Apprenticeship Board (Henley Business School), University representative
2017-2018  People Plan Project
2016-2023  Health Strategy Board
2016-2018  Widening Participation Strategy and Access Agreement Committee
2015-2021  University Programmes Board
2015-2018  Recruitment and Admissions Steering Group
2015-2020  Teaching and Learning Strategy Board
2014 -2016  Health Education Training & Policy Group
2014-2021  Staffing Committee
2010-2021  University Board for Teaching and Learning & student experience (member)
2016-2021  Committee on Student Experience (Chair)
2014-2017  University of Reading Council - elected academic member
2010-2018  University of Reading Senate - member

External Examiner

2017-2021  Kings College London, Masters Level Nutrition Programme
2012-2016  University of Roehampton, Masters Level Nutrition and Health Sciences Programmes
2008-2013  Leeds Carnegie University, undergraduate degrees in Dietetics and Public Health Nutrition

External Programme periodic reviews/validations

2023  External panellist for University of Ulster/UCD postgraduate Food law programmes validation

Previous:

  • External panellist for University of Ulster/Hong Kong space - Nutrition and Dietetics programmes validation
  • External expert for University of Ulster Nutrition and Dietetics Programme validation
  • External expert for University of Surrey MSc Nutrition Programme validation

Awards Panels

External:

2023-  British Nutrition Foundation award panel judge (2024, 2023)
2021  National Institute of Health Research (NIHR)- fellowship reviewer
2014  European Union, Framework 7 technical assessment on a project investigating health related claims and consumer behaviour, external assessor
2014  Netherlands Organisation for Scientific Research, Food Cognition and Behaviours research call, grant reviewer
2012  Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Ireland, Nutrition and Functional Food panel, expert evaluator
2009  Medical Research Council response mode grant call, assessor

University level:

2021-2024  Health Innovation Partnership collaborative innovation fund
2020-2022  H. Knapman Scholarship, awarding committee
2019-2024  Recognition of excellence scheme
2018-2021  Joint Academic Board Innovation fund
2014-2021  Chair of University Teaching Fellowship Award Panel
2017  Chair of University National Teaching Fellowship Panel
2014-2019  Member of Santander Academic Achievement Scholarships panel
2010-2018  Member of University Annual Awards panel

Publications

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