British Dietetic Association recognise hard work and dedication of GCU student

A recent graduate has received a place on the British Dietetic Association’s Roll of Honour after discovering his passion for public health during his time at GCU.

Kyle Kennedy’s degree in Human Nutrition and Dietetics allowed him to gain an understanding of the physiological and psychological components of nutrition, while also opening his eyes to the impact dieticians can have across society.

The British Dietetic Association (BDA) is the professional association and trade union for all UK-based dieticians. Kyle became involved with the organisation during his second year, giving him the opportunity to develop his professional experience away from the classroom.

“I’ve known since second year that I wanted to focus on public health and decided to get involved with the BDA as it seemed like the perfect way to develop my interest further,” explained Kyle.

“I joined the BDA’s Public Health Specialist Group and felt like I gained a lot of confidence. This then led to me applying for the BDA’s Student Representative Role, which basically involved me supporting over 1400 student members across the UK. It was a real honour getting to do the role because when you are voted into a national level position, you want to do it justice.

“It was also great for me picking up new skills because I was able to make the job whatever I wanted it to be. I was involved in writing a student newsletter, which is something very different to what is involved in my degree.”

Throughout his involvement over the last two years, Kyle has also worked as part of the Diabetes Specialist Group and Industry Specialist Group. However, it was a placement with the government’s Office for Health Improvement and Disparities that led to further recognition from the BDA.

Kyle said: “Being involved with the different BDA groups allowed me to attend a variety of events that benefitted me massively and that I otherwise wouldn’t be able to afford – this definitely pushed me on further.

“I have a real interest in climate change and I was really keen to help make the health service more sustainable. I started an informal placement with the Office for Health Improvement and Disparities. Through that, I sat on a clinical Net Zero group in the Department of Health. I was involved in looking at how we can reduce waste and anything that is producing high amounts of carbon within the NHS.

“During my time at the Office for Health Improvement and Disparities, there was also a new Public Health Strategy that was released for our Allied Health Professions. I led the dissemination of it digitally, and I also contributed feedback and edits to the strategy.”

Kyle’s efforts to improve the NHS and general passion for his profession didn’t go unnoticed. Earlier this year he was included in the BDA’s Roll of Honour for his ‘extraordinary participation to the BDA's boards and groups, exceptional support with public health and Greener AHP agenda - and vivid presence overall in the dietetic community’.

Kyle said: “The Roll of Honour is basically the BDA’s way of celebrating someone who has contributed to a specific area in an exceptional way. I was really excited when I heard I was going to be on it, especially since I’m the first ever student to get it. There is a separate specific award for students but I was told they had made an exception this year because of the extent of the work I had been doing with them.

“There are so many amazing people on the Roll of Honour so I’m really grateful to be alongside them and it’s really motivated me to continue creating change within Dietetics. It’s been a big boost for me at this point in my career. It has given me something to talk about in interviews because it is a massive achievement for me and something I am really proud of.”

Looking ahead to life beyond university, Kyle added: “It’s been a great way for me to round off my degree. I’ve worked very hard since moving from the Highlands to Glasgow – I’ve just wanted to take on any opportunity I could get.

“I’m super excited for what is to come, and most importantly I’m really looking forward to becoming a dietician and improving lives.”

Find out more about GCU’s BSc (Hons) Human Nutrition and Dietetics course here

By Ross Clark       
Got an SHLS or GSBS story? Email me at Ross.Clark@gcu.ac.uk or message me on Twitter