The midpoint of the year celebrating 50 years of Dietitians Australia is a good time to celebrate the achievements of the Nutrition & Dietetics journal. With origins tracing back over 80 years, the journal has passed through several permutations and name changes, each signalling new horizons and opportunities. It has been a joy researching this again, reflecting on the profession's achievements in scientific publishing, and looking to even brighter futures. Journal origins: As witness, I was the Editor-in-Chief from 2003 to 2019, and an Associate Editor for many years prior. A great deal of material can be found browsing the journal issues on the Wiley online library1 (also accessible through the Dietitians Australia website). Students of professional history would find this a great resource. ‘The journal began in 1944 with the Australian Institute of Anatomy publication, Food and Nutrition Notes and Reviews.3 It was later transferred to the Commonwealth Department of Health and became known as the Journal of Food and Nutrition, where in 1979, the distinguished dietitian and head of the Nutrition Section, Dr. Ruth English AO, became Editor. The early connections with the academy and government reflected the underpinnings of dietetics practice in the scientific disciplines and in service to public health. The journal was subsequently transferred from the Commonwealth Department of Health to the Dietitians Association of Australia and, in 1989, became the Australian Journal of Nutrition & Dietetics and, in 2002, Nutrition & Dietetics. All three titles of the journal are catalogued in the US National Library of Medicine (NLM),4 with the MeSH term Dietetics* latterly added.’ Growth in Nutrition & Dietetics: Now in 2026, the significant title of Nutrition & Dietetics has applied for 24 years. The journal is still going strong, but it should never be taken for granted. The chronology of events only tells us so much. A deeper dive is needed to fully appreciate the ability of this important resource to survive and thrive, not just in the past but also into the future. Importantly, in the last 50 years, the term ‘Nutrition and Dietetics’ came to denote a recognised scientific discipline for use in performance metrics and grant categorisation. This brought a new presence and accountability in academic and research circles, adding to its place in traditional health service domains. Further, in the 1990s the Dietitians Association of Australia (now Dietitians Australia) was a leading participant in government-supported projects to develop National Competency Standards, with members publishing on the topic in the journal.5 This in turn underpinned new developments in accreditation of dietetics courses and practitioners, recognition of overseas trained practitioners, and continuing professional development programs. The first cohort of academic dietitians emerged in the 1990s to lead the increasing number of university courses in this evolving discipline. These changes also meant obtaining PhD qualifications, developing dietetics research profiles and moving on to supervise and nurture further generations of dietitians, including those with formal research qualifications. In time, these trailblazers became the first professors in Nutrition and Dietetics, taking on leadership roles in universities and creating new career opportunities for future generations. With this backdrop, the significance of the journal cannot be underestimated. The journal represented an important interface between practice, research and professional development. It helped to nurture the link between academic dietitians with practitioners in other domains. As well as a reference source, it provided an opportunity for authors to publish the outcomes of their inquiry and throw light on all areas of practice. It enabled researchers to build theoretical positions and establish evidence for practice, creating strong foundations for professional identity and ongoing development. It also helped to position the profession in the context of the competitive and demanding external environment of science and practice in health. Shifting sands: Meanwhile, and more so today, the publication context was shifting fast. In the last two decades in particular, keeping up with advances in technology and modern-day publication requirements was a challenge for the journal management team.6 A major milestone for Nutrition & Dietetics was the 2005 move to Wiley publishers. While the benefits may be taken for granted now, significant developments included online access, early view on acceptance and the introduction of open access. In 2017, and after much hard work by the profession, Nutrition & Dietetics became indexed by the valued engines of MEDLINE, PubMed and Index Medicus. This also broadened the reach to many scientific disciplines and health professions. In time though, previously limited access became less of an issue and Open Access publication escalated in 2022 with the introduction of the Council of Australasian University Librarians Transformative Agreements.7 In keeping with conditions today, the journal shifted to online only (no print copies) in 2023, readily accessible to members from the Dietitians Australia website. It is a far cry from the days of paper-based submissions and reviews sent in the post! Strategic intent: Today, the content of the journal reflects how well the profession has developed over the last decades. It is timely that this Editorial rides on the heels of the newly released Dietitians Australia Strategic Direction, Towards 2036: Reimagining Nutrition and Dietetics for a Better Australia8 Just as the dietetics landscape has evolved to a diverse profession working in a range of settings, the material covered in the journal has also become wide ranging. With reference to the Dietitians Australia Strategic Direction,8 the journal, as a key educational resource, can be seen to operate within Public Health and Wellness Systems. However, content covers all systems in which dietetics operates. For example, this June issue of the journal has a focus on clinical areas of practice (relating to Health and Care Systems), including such topics as bariatric surgery,9-11 malnutrition in hospitals,12, 13 protein intakes and nutrition impact symptoms in aged care14 home enteral nutrition, and food services (which falls within the Food and Systems domain).15, 16 The methodologies for research also vary from observational to qualitative, evaluative and mixed methods approaches.17, 18 The June issue has been brought to publication via the work of authors and peer reviewers, and with the oversight of specialist editors. It reflects the alignment of the journal with the strategic elements of Enabling individual dietitians—through support for publication and continuing education, Empowering the Profession—by contributing to identity and value, Elevating Dietetics in systems—by ensuring a place in scientific publication and Embedding nutrition in society—by providing a platform for a credible voice through quality peer reviewed research. Back to the future: As stated in my final Editorial,19 I noted research is an international enterprise and protecting the health of individuals and populations remains a universal challenge. Today, we rightly consider the practice context in terms of systems. Within those systems though, the fundamentals remain. There is an interdependent relationship between evidence and practice, and the journal continues to support standards commensurate with best publication practice. For example, it was great to see the Editorial update on evidence synthesis in the February issue this year.20 It follows a long tradition of commentary on research methodology,20-23 that has helped guide dietetics research in the last 50 years. Looking back over the years reminds us of how the profession benefits from the contributions of each generation. The Dietitians Australia Strategic Direction correctly recognises the need for intergenerational engagement, noting the importance of testing assumptions with younger members to ensure relevance. The circumstances in which we operate today are different, and all perspectives are valuable as the journal moves on. These perspectives help to build on the efforts of pioneers such as Nancy Hitchcock24 whose leadership helped bring the journal into the professional realm. ‘Joan Woodhill passed on a lot of batons to a lot of people. For me it was a commitment to science, an international outlook and loyalty to the profession. I hope I have passed a few batons around now too and, God willing, in 20 years’ time, I hope you can tell me of how you have built this profession so I can stand tall and, with that same smile on my face say, “good on you.”’ Well, it is now 20 years later- and I am still here—and I say to my colleagues in dietetics, and especially those working with Nutrition & Dietetics, the journal of Dietitians Australia, ‘Good on you’! The author declares no conflicts of interest.
Linda Tapsell (Wed,) studied this question.