Interview with Ayanna Deane: How Global Public Health Nutrition student became thought leader on global stage

1. What made you choose to study at the University of Westminster and why this course?

I wanted to specialise not only as a Public Health Nutritionist but on a global platform. This offers an advantage as opposed to enrolling on an MSc in just Public Health Nutrition. It was between two London universities and the other university didn’t make me feel like I was a good fit. I was then recommended the University of Westminster’s Global Public Health Nutrition MSc programme. I was returning as a mature student and had a lot to consider. I attended the Westminster Open Day where I remember saying to the course leader that I was a bit concerned about my work-homelife balance. Her response was golden, she said: “Don’t worry, we will make it work.” I felt joy and release. Her response instantly made me feel welcome and at ease. 

2. What was your favourite, most memorable moment during your time at Westminster?

There are so many it is hard to choose one. Having the opportunity to travel to Zambia for my thesis was special. Not many students get to travel to collect data in a foreign country for a Master’s programme. I was encouraged and supported to follow my passion by the course leader Dr Regina Keith. And then, my research findings were selected for an oral presentation at the World Public Health Nutrition Congress (WPHNC) 2020 that took place in Brisbane, Australia.

The next example is linked to the first. The University’s Vice-Chancellor Peter Bonfield accepted our class invitation for lunch at Cavendish Campus pavilion patio, and we had to introduce ourselves. When it came to my turn, I said “Hi!” very energetically, and he said: “You have great presence.” As a class we felt valued that the VC would give us time to get to know us. It became clear that whenever I saw the VC around campus and I spoke with him, each time it would yield a positive outcome. For example, a tour and a history lesson of the Regent Campus and the Regent Street Cinema, or connecting me to people in organisations such as Defra for potential job opportunities.

Another memory is striking. After being accepted to present at the WPHNC 2020, a few of my classmates couldn’t afford to attend and we came up with the idea to host a charity evening to raise funds. I saw the VC around campus, and I approached him about hosting the event on Regent Campus. Before concluding my pitch he said: “Why aren’t we hosting this congress?” Four years later, the University of Westminster is now hosting the WPHNC 2024. Memories that will last a lifetime. Thank you, University of Westminster.

3. What was your relationship like with your course tutors, and did they have an influence on your future career?

Yes, yes and yes. Dr Keith in particular. The story is told of a teacher who leads her students to the top of the cliff. When it’s time for them to cross over into the world and take their place, she sacrifices herself as a bridge for the students to cross over. This is how I would describe the impact Dr Keith has on her students. Selfless and inspiring.

4. If you could fly back in time, what advice would you give to your student self?

To do what I did, cease all opportunities and make every moment count. I didn’t do this for my undergraduate course, but for the MSc I did it all. I attended two extra short courses while doing my MSc. I attended all the events to network and to find my place in the field. It has paid off 100%.

5. What have you gone on to do after you graduated from the University?

I was fortunate to find work within my studied field immediately after graduation. I work in the charity sector in school feeding at School Food Matters. I am also a Visiting Lecturer on Westminster’s Global Public Health Nutrition MSc course.

I’m proud of winning the University’s Recent Graduate Award 2022 for my contribution during the pandemic in providing support with food security for families via the Healthy Breakfast Boxes project. It also went on to win three independent awards in the public and charity sector. My research in Zambia was recognised too.

Being an active alumna and giving back to an institution that made me feel welcome is a joy. As a way of providing work experience to MSc students, I’ve initiated and currently manage a work placement scheme for GPHN MSc students at School Food Matters. The students get valuable work experience, along with access to a mentor and other training resources.

6. Could you please tell us a bit more about what your current role or activities entail? 

At School Food Matters, we are implementing a 5-year project called The Healthy Zones Project as part of a wider 10-year initiative to tackle insecurity in inner-city London schools across a number of boroughs. My role is to help shape the nature of the project, bringing all the skills from the MSc course, such as planning, implementing and monitoring nutrition intervention programmes. Designing programme modules, providing training and support for the school community, assessing school menus against school food standards, making improvements and developing behavioural change contents are also part of the job.

Photo: Ayanna Deane (second from left) with Regina Keith (third from left) and other alumni of the Global Public Health Nutrition MSc course

7. The WPHN Congress 2024 is taking place at the University and you are also attending. How are you participating and what would you like to achieve with your thought leadership?

I will be presenting an oral presentation under the sub-theme Creating a Safe and Supportive Environment for School Feeding. The title of my presentation speaks for itself: Over-stretched and Under-resourced – Experimental Approaches Supporting Positive Food Culture in Inner-London Schools. I will also be chairing the School Food Symposium, and we have an event stall for School Food Matters too.

This topic is so important because in UK schools’ hunger, food insecurity and obesity exist simultaneously. The amount of time spent in schools makes them an obvious intervention point, but schools are under intense pressure to raise standards while reducing costs. Funding for school food is poor, fragmented and delinked from performance ratings. This makes it challenging to engage with schools around nutrition, even with incentivised programmes. The aim is to understand the most effective ways to support UK schools to improve nutrition, drawing on implementation experience and evaluation data.

8. What’s your vision for the future?

My vision for the future is to see all children in the UK have access to free nutrition school meals and an environment in schools where the healthy choice is the easy choice. Also, the new government should prioritise school meals as a national programme, as in Japan.

Learn more about the Global Public Health Nutrition MSc course.