Our team’s inter-disciplinary capacity allows us to provide support for a range of initiatives aimed at reducing undernutrition and improving health, particularly among women and young children.

Our emphasis is on appropriately contextualized evidence-based intervention to each situation through an academically rigorous process. In addressing an inadequate dietary intake as one of the most ‘immediate’ causes of undernutrition identified in the UNICEF framework, we focus on improving the quality of young children’s food through home fortification with Micronutrient Powders (MNP). Home fortification is never a stand-alone intervention but part of improved complementary feeding protocols designed with consideration for local food production and cultural practices. Within these programmes we have integrated home fortification into IYCF protocols which address some of the ‘underlying’ causes of undernutrition, including inadequate care and feeding practices and unhealthy environment, through water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) activities. In addressing the ‘basic’ causes of undernutrition, we work with government to develop policy and strategies for improving nutrition and food security, and within academia we have developed a breadth of courses and curricula to deepen the knowledge base and build capacity in low and middle-income countries, as well as in the most economically developed countries.

Here we provide an overview of our work on nutrition and food security interventions including improving maternal, infant and young child nutrition, food security, programme monitoring and evaluation, policy, and nutrition education initiatives.