Rachel Bacon

Rachel Bacon is an Associate Professor in Nutrition & Dietetics at the University of Canberra’s Faculty of Health. She holds an Advanced Accredited Practising Dietitian (AdvAPD) certification and is a core member of the university’s Clinical Research, Rehabilitation and Translation research area. Her roles include teaching work-integrated learning, counseling, and communication in the Master of Nutrition and Dietetics program. She is a Fellow of the Academy of Higher Education and has received a national citation for teaching excellence.

Education:

• PhD (1996): A pragmatist mixed-methods exploration of Individual Case Management (ICM) placements for dietetic students outside the hospital setting
• Master of Science (Nutrition & Dietetics) (University of Wollongong, 1996)
• Bachelor of Applied Science (Nutritional Studies) (1993)

Research focuses on clinical dietetics (oncology, aged care, mental health), communication strategies in healthcare, digital health applications, and educational innovations like programmatic assessment and interprofessional education. She actively integrates Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander perspectives into health education and workforce development.

Key Projects include:

• Equity Grant exploring healthcare journeys for First Nations peoples in the ACT
• ‘Life-death-life’: Restorative approaches in healthcare
• Multidisciplinary brain cancer rehabilitation trials
• INSPIRE Project addressing physical health in young psychosis patients

Scientific contributions span over 50 publications, emphasizing diet quality, cancer care, and educational frameworks. She leads student-led dietetics clinics and telehealth initiatives, particularly during the pandemic.