Symposiums/ Workshops/ Seminars

Organizer: Nutrition Society UK

Topic: Writing up your research for scientific publication

Summary/abstract/synopsis: The purpose of this workshop is to equip early career nutritionists with knowledge of preparing and producing articles for submission to peer-reviewed scientific journals. The workshop aims to cover the most important aspects of scientific writing for publication.

Outcomes
By the end of the workshop, delegates will be able to:
• Understand the components of a scientific paper
• Understand different types of publications
• Think about how to overcome barriers of effective writing and start writing a paper
• Understand the basic skeleton of a scientific paper and discuss its formation in relation to their own research
• Understand online submission and peer-review process
• Deal professionally with feedback
• Manage publication ethics and conduct

Who is the Workshop For?
This workshop will be useful to any Masters/PhD nutrition students and early career researchers who will be submitting scientific papers to journals and publishing in the future. After attending the workshop, delegates can expect to have a better understanding of all areas of scientific writing for publication which can then be applied when submitting to scientific journals.

Who is Delivering the Workshop?
This workshop is sponsored by the Nutrition Society. It is developed and delivered by Professor Basma Ellahi, from the Faculty of Health, Medicine and Society at the University of Chester. Basma has run this workshop over a number of years, at both FANUS and ANEC conferences and it is always popular. Time: 9-11am (2 hours).

Conference day 1 – Monday 7^th October 2024

A Key Sponsored Lunch hour Symposium

Organizer: Jointly hosted by the University of Ghana and University of Sheffield NutriShed Research team.
Topic: NutriShed in the city: Enabling nutrient-rich foods in urban markets
Summary/abstract/synopsis: Markets play a key role in food access, especially in cities. There is increasing recognition of role of markets in driving the types and affordability of foods consumed by city dwellers. However, little is known about how food transits through cities. More importantly, city markets influence supply of key nutrients needed for optimal health and nutrition. There is also limited evidence on practical strategies that can be employed by city manager to ensure easier access to healthier food options in cities, especially in the global south. This symposium, NutriShed in the city: Enabling nutrient-rich foods in urban markets, aims to stimulate evidence-informed conversation about the relevance of markets in promoting nutritious diets in cities. The symposium brings together research and researchers based in Sub-Saharan Africa. There will be three presentations from Ghana and Nigeria, outlining the work of three projects. The paper by the NutriShed Project will present evidence on the flow of nutrient-rich foods through 2 selected Ghanaian Cities. Two other studies from Nigeria presents evidence on fruit, fish and vegetable markets and their consumption by urban dwellers.

Speakers/facilitators/moderators:

Professor Richmond Aryeetey, University of Ghana
Professor Bhavani Shankar, The University of Sheffield
Dr. Gregory Cooper, The University of Sheffield
Professor Folake Samuel, University of Ibadan
Professor Sewada Liverpool-Tasie, Michigan State University
Professor Robert Akparibo, The University of Sheffield

Conference day 2- Tuesday 8^th October 2024

A Key Lunchtime Sponsored Symposium

Organizer: The Eleanor Crook Foundation
Topic: Healthier Pregnancies and Brighter Futures for Mothers and Babies: Unlocking the potential of Multiple Micronutrient Supplements in pregnancy
Summary/abstract/synopsis:
Speakers/facilitators/moderators:

Special Event (parallel session symposium)

Organizer: The Agriculture, Nutrition & Health Academy
Topic: Enrichment Training of Trainers (ToT) Programme on Interdisciplinary Teaching and Learning

Summary/abstract/synopsis: The purpose/goal of our side event is to showcase the ANH Academy’s Curriculum Enrichment Training of Trainers (ToT) Programme and its impact on fostering interdisciplinary teaching approaches in agriculture, nutrition, and health-related topics. The event aims to facilitate a dialogue and teaching among university educators, policymakers, and development practitioners on the importance of integrating these approaches to support the implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. We want to hold the side event during the main conference, as it provides an opportunity to engage with a wider audience of key stakeholders attending the event.

Speakers/facilitators/moderators:

Dr Chau Yo
Dr Rosemary Isoto
Dr Michael Hill
Dr Aaron Christian
Dr Phyllis Addo

Conference day 3-Wednesday 9^th October 2024

A Key Sponsored Lunch Hour Symposium

Organizer: The Periodic Table of Food Initiative centre of excellence, KNUST, Kumasi
Topic: Unlocking food composition data for human and planetary health: The Periodic Table of Food Initiative (PTFI)

Summary/abstract/synopsis: The Periodic Table of Food Initiative (PTFI) is a global effort to create a public database of the biochemical composition and function of food using advanced spectroscopic techniques, and bioinformatics. This initiative includes building a global ecosystem and providing data tools to catalogue the biomolecular composition of the world’s food supply to help provide data driven solutions to improve human and planetary health.  The PTFI initiative will provide tools, data, and training to empower a global ecosystem to know its food and diets better in order to develop food system solutions.

The proposed symposium aims to:

1. Introduce the Periodic Table of Food Initiative to the African Nutrition and epidemiology community.
2. Highlight the importance of comprehensive food composition data in advancing nutrition science.
3. Foster collaboration among African researchers, policymakers, and global partners.
4. Discuss the potential applications of the PTFI in addressing food system challenges in Africa.

The PTFI initiative hopes to create a world where all food and health system stakeholders are empowered to develop data-driven solutions for enhanced human and planetary health.

Speakers/facilitators/moderators:

Dr. Gina Kennedy, Director of Research, Translation and Impact, Alliance of Bioversity International and CIAT, USA
Prof Reginald Annan, Director, KNUST PTFI Center of Excellence, Ghana
Dr. Herman Lutterodt, Deputy Director, KNUST PTFI Center of Excellence, Ghana
Dr. Endale Amare, Director, EPHI PTFI Center of Excellence, Ethiopia
Dr. Charles Apprey, Lead for Translational Research and Capacity Development, KNUST PTFI Center of Excellence
Ms Linda Nana Esi Aduku, Center Manager and Implementation Strategist, KNUST PTFI Center of Excellence, Ghana
Dr. Lyndon Sackey, Environmental Scientist and Consultant, KNUST PTFI Center of Excellence, Ghana
Dr. Alex Kwarteng, Immunologist and Consultant, KNUST PTFI Center of Excellence, Ghana 

Conference day 4- Thursday 10^th October 2024

A Key Sponsored Lunch Hour Symposium

Organizer: The University of California, Davis, Institute for Global Nutrition (IGN)
Topic: Multiple micronutrient-fortification of bouillon: new evidence on efficacy and cost-effectiveness, and policy implications

Summary/abstract/synopsis: Micronutrient deficiencies are severe and widespread in Africa, particularly among young children and women of reproductive age (WRA), despite mandatory fortification of other foods such as wheat flour and edible oil. Bouillon is a promising fortification vehicle because it is centrally processed on a large scale and consumed by a large majority of households in parts of West Africa. However, there is limited experience with bouillon fortification with multiple micronutrients. Recent investments by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation have expanded the evidence base available on bouillon multi-fortification, and discussions regarding bouillon fortification policy are ongoing in several countries in West Africa.

The objectives of this symposium are to present new evidence on:

• efficacy and acceptability of multiple micronutrient-fortified bouillon from a recently completed trial in Ghana, and
• predicted impacts, costs, and cost-effectiveness of multi-fortified bouillon from studies in Nigeria, Senegal, and Burkina Faso.

In addition, the symposium will review technical and commercial considerations for bouillon multi-fortification and provide an update on status of policy discussions and future directions for bouillon fortified with multiple micronutrients.

Speakers/facilitators/moderators:

Dr. Reina Engle-Stone, University of California, Davis
Prof. Seth Adu-Afarwuah, University of Ghana, Legon
Dr. Katherine Adams, University of California, Davis
Dr. Augustine Okoruwa, Helen Keller International, Nigeria
Dr. Jonathan Gorstein, Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation

Post-conference Seminar

Conference day 5- Friday 11^th October 2024

Organizer: NS of Britian/ANS Sponsored Training Workshop
Topic: Statistical Guide to Nutrition Research (A Hands-on nutritional data)

Summary/abstract/synopsis: Data analysis primary goal is to make meaning of the data collect in line with the objectives of the study. For effective analysis important parameters need to be assessed so the results from the analysis will not become spurious or lack rigor. The analysis must be driven by clearly stated objective, appropriate designs and the best statistical analysis employed. The sampling methodology used must ensure lack of bias. The generalizability of finding depends on how the participants were randomized in their selection or allocations to the various groups for comparison. We needed to also know whether the study was controlled or not. What relevant data was collected and what are the specific characteristics of those relevant variables. This is some of the background information required to achieve effective nutritional data analysis. More will be discussed during the workshop. It will be a hands-on workshop between 2 – 3 hours.

Speakers/facilitators/moderators: Rev Dr. Tom Akuetteh Ndanu