Rate My Professor Fiona Pelly

Professor Fiona Pelly serves as the Discipline Leader in Nutrition and Dietetics within the School of Health at the University of the Sunshine Coast. Holding a PhD and Diploma in Nutrition and Dietetics from the University of Sydney, as well as a BSc from Macquarie University, she is an Accredited Practising Dietitian and a Fellow of the Dietitians Association of Australia and Sports Dietitians Australia. With over 30 years of professional experience as a dietitian, including 26 years specializing in sports nutrition, Professor Pelly has provided consultancy services to prominent clients such as The Wiggles for a decade, the International Olympic Committee, National Rugby League teams, and individual Olympians. Since joining the University of the Sunshine Coast in 2004, she has been instrumental in establishing and leading the Nutrition and Dietetics discipline.

Internationally renowned for her expertise in food provision at major sporting competition events, Professor Pelly has evaluated menus and food services for the Olympic and Commonwealth Games since 2000, including leading athlete village menu reviews for the IOC since Beijing 2008. Her research interests encompass the translation of nutrition knowledge into practical food and diet applications, determinants of food choice, diet quality, eating behaviours—particularly among athletes and active populations—and advancements in nutrition and dietetics education and practice. Notable publications include "The implementation of interprofessional education: a scoping review" (Bogossian et al., 2023), "Anthropometric characteristics and competition dietary intakes of professional rugby league players" (Lundy et al., 2006), "Dietary intake of athletes seeking nutrition advice at a major international competition" (Burkhart & Pelly, 2016), "A qualitative exploration of the future of nutrition and dietetics in Australia and New Zealand" (Boak et al., 2022), and "Factors influencing food choice of athletes at international competition events" (Pelly et al., 2018). In recognition of her contributions to teaching, she received the 2011 Australian Learning and Teaching Council Citation for outstanding contributions to student learning. Professor Pelly currently holds the position of President of Professionals in Nutrition for Exercise and Sport (PINES) and serves as an academic member of the Australian Dietetic Council for the Dietitians Association of Australia.