Title: Beyond the Numbers: Qualitative Research for Nutritionists
Date: Sunday 29th November 2026
Time: 9.00 am to 12 noon
Venue: Namibia University of Science and Technology (NUST) main campus Namibia
Many nutrition professionals are familiar with surveys, dietary assessment tools and quantitative data, but may be less confident using qualitative approaches to understand the experiences, behaviours and motivations that influence food choices and health outcomes. This interactive workshop provides a practical introduction to qualitative research, tailored specifically for nutritionists and dietitians.
Using real-world nutrition examples, participants will explore qualitative study design, interviews, focus groups and thematic analysis, gaining the confidence to apply these methods in research, service evaluation and practice improvement. By the end of the session, participants will have developed their own qualitative research question and identified how qualitative approaches can enhance their work.
Suitable for: Nutritionists, dietitians, public health nutrition practitioners, MSc and doctoral students, and early career researchers with little or no experience of qualitative research.
The workshop is led by Professor Basma Ellahi is Dean of Research, Enterprise and Knowledge Mobilisation at Canterbury Christ Church University and an experienced researcher with a strong track record in applied health research, interdisciplinary collaboration and research capacity building. Professor Ellahi is passionate about helping researchers build confidence in translating research into real-world impact. Her research workshops have been delivered internationally for more than 16 years, including at major African nutrition conferences, where they have consistently attracted full attendance and received excellent participant evaluations. She is particularly experienced in supporting nutrition professionals and early career researchers to apply qualitative approaches confidently within research, evaluation and practice settings.
Key topics include:
- What qualitative research is and when to use it
- Developing qualitative research questions
- Designing interviews and focus groups
- Collecting rich and meaningful data
- Introduction to thematic analysis
- Using qualitative findings to inform practice, policy and research impact
No prior knowledge of qualitative research is required. This workshop is designed for beginners and focuses on practical application rather than theory
Pre-register for the symposium/workshop/seminar ›
Symposiums/ Workshops/ Seminars →