Faculty/School

Faculty of Health

School of Exercise and Nutrition Sciences

Topic status

We're looking for students to study this topic.

Research centre

Primary Supervisor

Associate Professor Helen Vidgen
Position
Associate Professor
Division / Faculty
Faculty of Health

Other QUT supervisors

Associate Professor Helen MacLaughlin
Position
Associate Professor (Nutrition and Dietetics)/Consultant Dietitian
Division / Faculty
Faculty of Health

Overview

Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is a major public health challenge worldwide. Although diet is important for diabetes management, many people experience difficulties following dietary advice within their everyday lives. Food literacy refers to the knowledge, skills, and behaviours required to plan, select, prepare, and eat food in ways that support food intake.

A novel food literacy tool has been developed through a co-designed approach to identify individual circumstances, and food literacy support needs among people living with T2DM. This project aims to explore how the tool can be translated into a digital format to support integration with digital health technologies and future implementation in diabetes care.

This project is interdisciplinary, drawing on nutrition and dietetics, chronic disease management, digital health, and information technology. This project is linked to an ongoing PhD study focused on utilising food literacy in the dietary management of diabetes care. This project is not attached to any external funding.

Research engagement

Literature review

Design digital version of food literacy too

Survey design and testing

Data analysis and scientific writing

Research activities

Examine the structure and functionality of the existing food literacy tool

Conduct a literature review related to development of digital health-related tools

Explore options for a digital version of the existing tool through clinician-assisted, selfcare and integrated pathways

Translate the current version of the tool into a digital prototype using an appropriate platform

Undertake pilot testing of the protype digital version of the tool

Assist with analysing findings and reporting with the opportunity to contribute to conference abstracts and/or journal publications

Research skills

Literature searching, critical appraisal and synthesis of findings

Digital tool prototype design, and development

Problem solving, creative and analytical thinking through testing and refining the tool

Development of personal communication skills with stakeholders including research team and potential end users

Presentation of findings and report writing skills

Outcomes

The primary aim of this project is to develop and test a prototype digital version of the food literacy tool for people living with T2DM. This project will provide insights into integration of food literacy within diabetes care and inform future implementation.

Skills and experience

The ideal student should have knowledge in information technology, digital design, software development, and/or artificial intelligence, or digital health design. Experience with software development, web applications, user interface design, data analytics, digital technologies or survey platforms would be advantageous but not essential.

Start date

2 November, 2026

End date

19 February, 2027

Location

School of Exercise and Nutrition Sciences, Faculty of Health, Kelvin Grove Campus

Additional information

Start and end dates are flexible within the VRES period.

Keywords

Contact

Helen Vidgen

3138 0118

h.vidgen@qut.edu.au