Advocate = Identifies federal and non-governmental agencies/organizations/individuals who
can support the Academy’s research agenda. Examples of advocacy roles would be for the
Academy to identify research questions for USDA/ERS or the Robert Wood Johnson
Foundation, or to testify before congressional leaders on the importance of research funding
for data collection and nutrition monitoring.
Facilitator = Targets key research questions to be answered and facilitates a successful
process to answer these questions. For example, the Academy would facilitate partnerships
or multidisciplinary collaboration between various researchers to find potential funding
sources and conduct the research.
Convener = Convenes key scientists and practitioners from various disciplines to explore new
approaches to solve dietetics related research questions. Examples might be convening a
meeting to discuss research needed to address childhood overweight and obesity management
treatment and prevention.
Funder = Involves preparing, disseminating and funding research proposals on key research
question important to the profession. Sometimes this process involves funding for research
under RFA or RFP [mechanisms], and other times, the research is actually conducted in
house. The amount of funding is dependent on the availability of internal and external funds.
Educator = Involves creating professional development opportunities for members to enhance
their knowledge of how to read, interpret, translate, integrate and use research [findings].
The Association also provides professional development opportunities for members to
enhance their abilities to conduct high quality research.
Disseminator = Distributes research results to members and the public through publications,
websites, and print and electronic media.