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Nutrients Webinar | Nutrition Policy and Programs in Educational Settings: Equitable Approaches to Food Security

22 May 2025
16:00 (CEST)
Online

Welcome from
the chairs

18th Nutrients Webinar

Nutrition Policy and Programs in Educational Settings: Equitable Approaches to Food Security

In a time marked by rising health disparities, food insecurity, and growing inequities in access to essential resources, the need to explore how policy and research influence nutrition outcomes has never been greater.

We are delighted to welcome you to the webinar "Nutrition Policy and Programs in Educational Settings: Equitable Approaches to Food Security". This webinar brings together distinguished academic minds, researchers, and practitioners. Through a series of concise presentations and moderated discussions, this event aims to bring together cross-disciplinary experts in nutrition policy and programs, advance dialogue on equitable food security solutions, and highlight innovative research from the special issue. Research shows us how good nutrition is directly linked to better academic performance, improved concentration, and long-term health outcomes. And schools aren’t just places of learning; they have profound influences on nutritional intake, access, and behaviors.

By studying and strengthening nutrition policies and programs in schools, we create opportunities to reduce health disparities and build the foundation for healthier families and communities. The research presented is innovative and spanning multiple geographic contexts, policies, and grade levels.

Date: 22 May 2025

Time: 4:00 pm CEST | 10:00 am EDT | 10:00 pm CST Asia

Webinar ID: 820 7490 7778

Webinar Secretariat: journal.webinar@mdpi.com



Meet Our Chairs

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Dr. Sarah Moreland-Russell

School of Public Health, Washington University in St. Louis, USA;Dr. Moreland-Russell is an Associate Professor at the School of Public Health at Washington University in St. Louis. Her research focuses on health policy analysis and evaluation, specifically regarding tobacco control and obesity prevention, organizational and systems science and evaluation, and dissemination and implementation of public health policies. Dr. Moreland-Russell’s work has made contributions to the need for local level policy adoption, strategies for disseminating results for more effective implementation of evidence-based policy, and the evaluation of public health programs. In addition, Dr. Moreland-Russell recently finished an APHA fellowship in government where she served as a policy advisor for Senator Kristen Gillibrand on Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C.

Dr. Dan Ferris

Policy Education & Practice, Center for Social Development, Brown School at Washington University in St. Louis, USA;Throughout his career, Dan Ferris has led and learned from a variety of initiatives in settings ranging from offices of government affairs, community public health organizations, and research institutes. At the Brown School, Ferris applies his experience working with government, community organizations, academics, and other stakeholders to his teaching, research, and continued commitment to policy practice. As the inaugural assistant dean for policy initiatives at the Brown School, Ferris expanded the Master of Social Policy Dual-Degree program and continues to support student-learning opportunities such as the Graduate Policy Scholars program and Cigna Foundation fellowship in grantmaking. He is also the Co-Director of Policy Education and Practice at the Brown School’s Center for Social Development, where he leads a Data for Social Impact Initiative, a JPMorgan Chase Foundation supported doctoral scholars program, and additional policy teaching and training initiatives. Additionally, he is committed to research, programs, and policies that address disparities and inequities, particularly surrounding food insecurity in St. Louis and beyond, conducting and translating into practice multiple food policy research projects. Ferris received his Master’s in Public Administration with a concentration in Public Policy from New York University Robert F. Wagner Graduate School of Public Service and his PhD in Public and Social Policy from Saint Louis University.

Meet Our Speakers

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Dr. Gabriella Maria McLoughlin

Temple University, College of Public Health, Social and Behavioral Sciences, USA;

Dr. Sarah Moreland-Russell

School of Public Health, Washington University in St. Louis, USA;Dr. Moreland-Russell is an Associate Professor at the School of Public Health at Washington University in St. Louis. Her research focuses on health policy analysis and evaluation, specifically regarding tobacco control and obesity prevention, organizational and systems science and evaluation, and dissemination and implementation of public health policies. Dr. Moreland-Russell’s work has made contributions to the need for local level policy adoption, strategies for disseminating results for more effective implementation of evidence-based policy, and the evaluation of public health programs. In addition, Dr. Moreland-Russell recently finished an APHA fellowship in government where she served as a policy advisor for Senator Kristen Gillibrand on Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C.

Dr. Kylie Smith

Menzies Institute for Medical Research , University of Tasmania, Australia;Dr Kylie Smith is Senior Research Fellow at Menzies Institute for Medical Research. She is a Nutritional Epidemiologist and a Registered Public Health Nutritionist. She leads a program of work that aims to improve children’s nutrition at school, including school lunch programs, school canteens, and school breakfast programs.

Sponsors and Partners

Organizer


MDPINutrients
Recording (Registered Only)

In this section, you will find the recordings of this webinar to watch, re-watch and share with your colleagues!

The MDPI Nutrients Special Issue Webinar, Nutrition Policy and Programs in Educational Settings: Equitable Approaches to Food Security, brought together researchers and practitioners from around the world to explore the vital role of schools in shaping health, nutrition, and educational outcomes. Along with co-chairs Sarah Moreland-Russell and Dan Ferris, the webinar featured talks by Dr. Gabriella McLoughlin and Dr. Kylie Smith and highlighted research on policy implementation, measurement development, advocacy related to the Healthy Hunger-Free Kids Act, and the impact of school meals on academic performance. The session offered insights from multiple educational and geographic settings and underscored the importance of research surrounding schools as key platforms for advancing food security and health equity. Attendees contributed valuable questions and perspectives focused on evidence-based nutrition strategies to support thriving students and communities.

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Relevant Special Issue

"Nutrition Policy and Programs in Educational Settings: Equitable Approaches to Food Security "

Edited by Dr. Sarah Moreland-Russell, Dr. Dan Ferris

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 25 August 2025


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