Olivia Wright
Source: https://about.uq.edu.au/experts/1264 Parent: https://about.uq.edu.au/experts/16238
Dr
Olivia Wright
Email: : o.wright@uq.edu.au
Phone: : +61 7 336 56116
Positions
Affiliate Member of Centre for Community Health and Wellbeing : Centre for Community Health and Wellbeing : Faculty of Health, Medicine and Behavioural Sciences
Senior Lecturer : School of Human Movement and Nutrition Sciences : Faculty of Health, Medicine and Behavioural Sciences
Overview
Background
Olivia is a Senior Lecturer in Nutrition and Dietetics and Director of Teaching and Learning at the School of Human Movement and Nutrition Sciences, The University of Queensland.
Her work sits at the intersection of nutrition science, Indigenous food systems, the microbiome and interprofessional practice, with a focus on nutritional resilience, food sovereignty and personalised nutrition. She leads a coherent program of research examining how dietary patterns and food environments shape microbiome resilience and health outcomes, and how this knowledge can be translated into culturally safe practice, education and policy.
This program integrates culinary nutrition, chronic disease prevention, Indigenous bush‑food and food sovereignty projects, and AI‑enabled analysis to improve the lived experience of patients, students and communities. Olivia has published widely in nutrition science and dietetics and works in partnership with First Nations communities, industry and government to advance understanding of how food systems can support health, equity and cultural continuity.
As a recognised leader in teaching and learning innovation, Olivia plays a central role in shaping the next generation of dietitians and health professionals. She integrates AI, cultural safety, Indigenous methodologies and inclusive design into her teaching to strengthen student confidence, belonging and leadership, intentionally bridging education, research and community engagement so that evidence supports community‑led solutions and real‑world impact across health systems and society.
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Availability
Dr Olivia Wright is: : Available for supervision
Fields of research
Biomedical engineering Health Sciences Nutrition and dietetics
Qualifications
- Bachelor, Queensland University of Technology
- Doctor of Philosophy, The University of Queensland
- Member, Dietitians Association of Australia, Dietitians Association of Australia
Research interests
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Diet–microbiome resilience and personalised nutrition
I study how dietary patterns shape microbiome resilience and individual variability in metabolic and inflammatory outcomes.
Read more Read less - #### Culinary nutrition: translating evidence into practice
I design and evaluate culinary strategies that turn guidelines into practical, tasty meals for diverse populations and clinical needs. Projects span high-protein enrichment, Mediterranean-style patterns, and cost-conscious meal planning, across the life course.
Read more Read less - #### Culturally safe, sustainable food systems
I co-design nutrition solutions that respect First Nations knowledge and promote equitable access to uniquely Australian foods. Research links cultural safety, environmental sustainability, and food sovereignty to everyday eating.
Read more Read less - #### AI-enabled learning and assessment in dietetics education
I develop and study secure, culturally safe AI tools for feedback, simulation, and assessment design in health programs. Research targets belonging, capability building, and reliable evaluation of clinical and counselling skills.
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Works
Search Professor Olivia Wright’s works on UQ eSpace
All (160) Book (1) Journal Article (79) Other Outputs (3) Conference Publication (73) Book Chapter (4)
2026
Journal Article
Codesigned framework for maximising the therapeutic value of rehabilitation mealtimes
Pashley, Alice, Young, Adrienne M., Doig, Emmah, Fay, Meredith, Levine, Rachel, Moore, Janette, Trevor, Dale and Wright, Olivia R.L. (2026). Codesigned framework for maximising the therapeutic value of rehabilitation mealtimes. Disability and Rehabilitation, 1-18. doi: 10.1080/09638288.2025.2593759
Codesigned framework for maximising the therapeutic value of rehabilitation mealtimes
2025
Journal Article
The impact of culinary education on adolescents' psychosocial wellbeing: a systematic review
Wong, Pui Ting, Barnes, Katelyn, Kirkegaard, Amy, Lepre, Breanna, Bartrim, Karly, Wright, Olivia, Crowley, Jennifer, Sullivan, Victoria and Ball, Lauren (2025). The impact of culinary education on adolescents' psychosocial wellbeing: a systematic review. Journal of Community and Applied Social Psychology, 35 (6) e70186, 1-14. doi: 10.1002/casp.70186
The impact of culinary education on adolescents' psychosocial wellbeing: a systematic review
2025
Book Chapter
Integrating generative AI to strengthen counselling and communication in dietetic education
Wright, Olivia and Baruah, Shreyasi (2025). Integrating generative AI to strengthen counselling and communication in dietetic education. Inquiry in action: using AI to reimagine learning and teaching: case studies from the frontline of higher education practice. (pp. *-*) edited by Rachel Fitzgerald. St Lucia, QLD Australia: The University of Queensland. doi: 10.14264/6dd4662
Integrating generative AI to strengthen counselling and communication in dietetic education
2025
Conference Publication
Exploring sweet-liker status and reduced-sugar beverage acceptability: insights for public health strategies
Cartwright, Jessica, Wright, Olivia, Netzel, Michael, Sultanbawa, Yasmina and Smyth, Heather (2025). Exploring sweet-liker status and reduced-sugar beverage acceptability: insights for public health strategies. 16th Pangborn Sensory Science Symposium, Philadelphia, PA United States, 17-21 August 2025.
2025
Conference Publication
A hedonic sensory trial: exploring the relationship between sweet-liker status, demographics, and health measures on acceptability in a beverage system
Cartwright, Jessica, Smyth, Heather, Netzel, Michael, Sultanbawa, Yasmina and Wright, Olivia (2025). A hedonic sensory trial: exploring the relationship between sweet-liker status, demographics, and health measures on acceptability in a beverage system. 16th Pangborn Sensory Science Symposium, Philadelphia, PA United States, 17-21 August 2025.
2025
Conference Publication
Exploring sensory drivers in sweet beverage design with Indigenous populations in Australia
Cartwright, Jessica, Wright, Olivia, Netzel, Michael, Sultanbawa, Yasmina and Smyth, Heather (2025). Exploring sensory drivers in sweet beverage design with Indigenous populations in Australia. Australian Institute of Food Science and Technology Convention, Melbourne, VIC Australia, 12-13 August 2025.
Exploring sensory drivers in sweet beverage design with Indigenous populations in Australia
2025
Journal Article
The business of dietetics: Results from the national Australian private practice dietetics dataset
Kirkegaard, Amy, Clark, Peter, Wright, Olivia R. L. and Ball, Lauren (2025). The business of dietetics: Results from the national Australian private practice dietetics dataset. Nutrition & Dietetics 1747-0080.70036. doi: 10.1111/1747-0080.70036
The business of dietetics: Results from the national Australian private practice dietetics dataset
2025
Journal Article
Development and baseline findings of a national dataset describing Australian private practice dietetics
Kirkegaard, Amy, Wright, Olivia, Clark, Peter and Ball, Lauren (2025). Development and baseline findings of a national dataset describing Australian private practice dietetics. Nutrition & Dietetics 1747-0080.70027. doi: 10.1111/1747-0080.70027
2025
Journal Article
Exploring the perspectives of urban and regional living Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples regarding bush foods, nutrition, and health: insights for culturally-informed health policy in Australia
Cartwright, Jessica, Turner, Niall, Bruce, Sherie, Sultanbawa, Yasmina, Netzel, Micheal and Wright, Olivia (2025). Exploring the perspectives of urban and regional living Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples regarding bush foods, nutrition, and health: insights for culturally-informed health policy in Australia. Public Health Nutrition, 28 (1) e124, e124. doi: 10.1017/s1368980025100694
2025
Conference Publication
Halophytes: a nutritious alternative to salt?
Netzel, Michael, Srivarathan, Sukirtha, Phan, Anh DaoThi, Wright, Olivia and Sultanbawa, Yasmina (2025). Halophytes: a nutritious alternative to salt?. Crop to Kitchen, Queensland Health Coronial and Public Health Sciences, Coopers Plains, QLD, Australia, 24 June 2025.
Halophytes: a nutritious alternative to salt?
2025
Conference Publication
Replacing diary milk with plant based dairy milk alternatives? How it will change your morning smoothie
Rathnayake, Anuruddhika Udayangani, Netzel, Michael, Sultanbawa, Yasmina, Wright, Olivia and Smyth, Heather (2025). Replacing diary milk with plant based dairy milk alternatives? How it will change your morning smoothie. Crop to Kitchen, Queensland Health Coronial and Public Health Sciences, Coopers Plains, QLD, Australia, 24 June 2025.
2025
Journal Article
In-depth exploration of ‘therapeutic mealtime experiences’ in inpatient rehabilitation: mixed-methods multiple case studies
Pashley, Alice, Young, Adrienne, Doig, Emmah, Moore, Janette and Wright, Olivia (2025). In-depth exploration of ‘therapeutic mealtime experiences’ in inpatient rehabilitation: mixed-methods multiple case studies. Disability and Rehabilitation, ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print), 1-15. doi: 10.1080/09638288.2025.2512055
2025
Conference Publication
Alternative Smoothies – ‘Plants’ vs. ‘Dairy’
Rathnayaka Mudiyanselage, Anuruddhika, Netzel, Michael E., Smyth, Heather, Sultanbawa, Yasmina and Wright, Olivia (2025). Alternative Smoothies – ‘Plants’ vs. ‘Dairy’. QAAFI 2025 Research Meeting, Herston, QLD Australia, 19 March 2025.
Alternative Smoothies – ‘Plants’ vs. ‘Dairy’
2025
Journal Article
Sharper minds: feasibility and effectiveness of a mental health promotion package for university students targeting multiple health and self-care behaviours
Dingle, Genevieve A., Han, Rong, Huang, Kevin, Alhadad, Sakinah S.J., Beckman, Emma, Bentley, Sarah V., Edmed, Shannon, Gomersall, Sjaan R., Hides, Leanne, Lorimer, Nadine, Maccallum, Fiona, McKimmie, Blake M., Ng, Norman, Rossa, Kalina, Smith, Simon S., Walter, Zoe C., Williams, Elyse, Wright, Olivia R.L. and Tanksale, Radhika (2025). Sharper minds: feasibility and effectiveness of a mental health promotion package for university students targeting multiple health and self-care behaviours. Journal of Affective Disorders, 378, 271-280. doi: 10.1016/j.jad.2025.03.011
2025
Journal Article
Flexible, adaptable, and supportive systems: qualitative description of factors underpinning an ideal mealtime delivery in rehabilitation care settings
Pashley, Alice, Young, Adrienne, Doig, Emmah, Moore, Janette and Wright, Olivia R. L. (2025). Flexible, adaptable, and supportive systems: qualitative description of factors underpinning an ideal mealtime delivery in rehabilitation care settings. Disability and Rehabilitation, 47 (22), 5859-5870. doi: 10.1080/09638288.2025.2471573
2025
Conference Publication
Alternative Smoothies – the “Plants” vs. the “Dairy’s”
Rathnayaka Mudiyanselage, Anuruddhika, Wright, Olivia, Sultanbawa, Yasmina, Smyth, Heather E. and Netzel, Michael E. (2025). Alternative Smoothies – the “Plants” vs. the “Dairy’s”. 19th NZOZ Sensory and Consumer Science Symposium, Papaioea Palmerston North, Aotearoa New Zealand, 19-21 February 2025.
Alternative Smoothies – the “Plants” vs. the “Dairy’s”
2025
Journal Article
A hedonic sensory trial: exploring the relationship between sweet‐liker status, demographics, and health measures on acceptability in a beverage system
Cartwright, Jessica, Smyth, Heather E., Netzel, Michael E., Sultanbawa, Yasmina F. and Wright, Olivia R. L. (2025). A hedonic sensory trial: exploring the relationship between sweet‐liker status, demographics, and health measures on acceptability in a beverage system. Journal of Sensory Studies, 40 (1) e70008, 1-15. doi: 10.1111/joss.70008
2025
Journal Article
From silos to synergy: a scoping review of team approaches to outpatient eating disorder treatment
Bray, Megan, Heruc, Gabriella and Wright, Olivia R. L. (2025). From silos to synergy: a scoping review of team approaches to outpatient eating disorder treatment. International Journal of Eating Disorders, 58 (1), 139-161. doi: 10.1002/eat.24328
From silos to synergy: a scoping review of team approaches to outpatient eating disorder treatment
2024
Journal Article
Food, nutrition and dining information on residential aged care facility websites: a website analysis
Tan, Zavier Kok Shen, Pashley, Alice, Ball, Lauren, Wright, Olivia Renee Louise and Bartrim, Karly (2024). Food, nutrition and dining information on residential aged care facility websites: a website analysis. Australasian Journal on Ageing, 44 (1) e13388, e13388. doi: 10.1111/ajag.13388
2024
Journal Article
What factors affect the recruitment and retention of allied health professionals working in hospitals? A systematic literature review
Baumgartner, Laure, Wright, Olivia, Barne, Katelyn, Bartrim, Karly, Kirkegaard, Amy, Sullivan, Victoria, Burch, Emily and Ball, Lauren (2024). What factors affect the recruitment and retention of allied health professionals working in hospitals? A systematic literature review. Australian Health Review, 49 (1) AH24287. doi: 10.1071/ah24287
Funding
Current funding
- 2026
Can Artificial Intelligence support hospital foodservices to prevent food waste?
UQ Knowledge Exchange & Translation Fund
Past funding
- 2022 - 2023
Conservative Management of bowel disorders in a Colorectal Pelvic Floor clinic: A Randomised Crossover Trial of Dietary management and/or Physiotherapy
Metro South Hospital and Health Service
Open grant - 2016 - 2017
Creating game changing graduates in nutrition and dietetics through active learning, authentic assessment and student partnerships, using Entrustable Professional Activities
UQ Teaching Innovation Grants
Open grant - 2016 - 2021
Naturally Nutritious
Horticulture Innovation Australia Limited
Open grant - 2016 - 2020
TrueNTH Australian Demonstration (TrueNTH AU)
Movember Foundation
Open grant - 2016 - 2018
Lactoferrin Trial - Additional sample analysis
UniQuest Pty Ltd
Open grant - 2015 - 2016
Development of a broader understanding of Vitamin D levels in patients undergoing sleeve gastrectomy to inform guidelines for post-surgery supplementation
Wesley Merdical Research
Open grant - 2014
Cellular metabolic respirometry and enzymatic assessment suite
UQ Major Equipment and Infrastructure
Open grant - 2013 - 2015
The Shifting Gears Project: Active Living and Healthy Eating in Queensland Truck Drivers
Queensland Department of Justice and Attorney-General
Open grant - 2012 - 2017
The impact of micronutrients on gene expression: Prostate Cancer-Lycopene (ImoGEX-PC-Lyc)TM.
Clinical Oncological Society of Australia
Open grant - 2012
Clinical and Nutritional Biomarker Platform
UQ Major Equipment and Infrastructure
Open grant - 2010 - 2011
A randomised, double-blind, placebo controlled trial of the effect of functional beverages on body weight, blood pressure and body fat in overweight and obese adults (The QUENCH Study)
Dr Red Nutraceuticals Pty Ltd
Open grant - 2010
The Effect of Functional Green Tea and Coffee on Body Weight, Blood Pressure and Body Fat in Overwieght and Obese Adults
UQ Early Career Researcher
Open grant - 2009 - 2010
Shedding more light on Vitamin D, obesity and insulin resistance
UQ New Staff Research Start-Up Fund
Open grant - 2009 - 2010
Development of Quality Indicators for the frail elderly in acute care
NHMRC Project Grant
Open grant - 2008 - 2011
Food services in residential aged care: Financial, personnel, and service delivery factors
ARC Linkage Projects
Open grant - 2007
Evaluation of the impact of an online structured geriatric assessment system
PA Research Foundation
View all 16 past funded projects View less
Supervision
Availability
Dr Olivia Wright is: : Available for supervision
Looking for a supervisor? Read our advice on how to choose a supervisor.
Supervision history
Current supervision
- Doctor Philosophy
##### Better Together: Towards Interprofessional Collaborative Practice in Team Outpatient Eating Disorder Treatment
Principal Advisor - Doctor Philosophy
##### Dietary patterns and molecular mechanisms associated with the pathogenicity of appendicitis in humans
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Daniel Hwang, Professor Eugeni Roura - Doctor Philosophy
##### Exploring the Impact of Culinary Education on Adolescents¿ Psychosocial Wellbeing
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Breanna Lepre, Dr Aoife-Marie Foran, Dr Dillon Landi, Professor Lauren Ball - Doctor Philosophy
##### Exploring and understanding the nutritional quality and functional properties of wild harvested Australian grown elderberries (native elderberries)
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Heather Smyth, Professor Yasmina Sultanbawa, Dr Michael Netzel - Doctor Philosophy
##### Recruitment and Retention of Allied Health Professionals
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Lauren Ball, Dr Karly Bartrim
View all 5 current supervisions View less
Completed supervision
- 2025
Doctor Philosophy
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Michael Netzel, Professor Yasmina Sultanbawa - 2025
Doctor Philosophy
##### Exploring the Therapeutic Value of Mealtimes in Rehabilitation
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Adrienne Young, Dr Emmah Doig - 2023
Doctor Philosophy
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Jacki Walker, Professor Eugeni Roura - 2019
Doctor Philosophy
##### The Influence of Diet and Exercise on Prostate Cancer-Related Fatigue and Quality of Life
Principal Advisor - 2018
Doctor Philosophy
##### Vitamin D Deficiency in Obesity and Bariatric Surgery
Principal Advisor - 2016
Doctor Philosophy
Principal Advisor - 2024
Doctor Philosophy
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Lauren Ball - 2023
Doctor Philosophy
##### Australian indigenous edible halophytes - potential sources of functional ingredients
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Yasmina Sultanbawa, Dr Michael Netzel - 2020
Doctor Philosophy
##### i-PATHWAY: a clinical prediction model to prevent childhood obesity
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Adjunct Professor Robyn Littlewood, Dr Jacki Walker - 2015
Doctor Philosophy
##### Australian Residential Aged Care Foodservices Menu design, quality and standards - a time for action
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Emeritus Professor Sandra Capra
View all 10 completed supervisions View less
Media
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