Dr Jeffrey So is a Lecturer in Nutrition and Dietetics at the University of the Sunshine Coast, with contribution to nutrition and public health research in the areas of infant and child nutrition and feeding, parenting, food security, mental health, mHealth and health equity. He is an Accredited Practising Dietitian (APD) and member of Dietitians Australia. He completed his PhD at the Queensland University of Technology, where his research focused on engaging fathers in child nutrition and parenting support, particularly in contexts of socioeconomic disadvantage.
Jeffrey’s research addresses real-world “wicked problems” that require engaging communities and rightsholders through strengths-based approaches. He explores how cultural and socioeconomic factors, gender, and systemic disadvantage shape nutrition knowledge, eating behaviours, and access to food and healthcare. He is experienced in qualitative and co-design methodologies with consumers to inform the development of inclusive, community-focused, and culturally responsive practice and interventions.
Jeffrey brings over a decade of experience across research, education, community nutrition, aged care, and disability sectors. He has taught into undergraduate and postgraduate nutrition and public health courses and has supervised Honours students on projects related to child feeding. He is passionate about translating research into practice and fostering practice-ready, equity-oriented nutrition and dietetic graduates.
Professional Memberships
- Accredited Practising Dietitian (Dietitians Australia)
Professional Social Media
Identifiers
Research Bio
Jeffrey’s research focuses on infant and child nutrition, responsive feeding practices, and father engagement in child growth, health and development. His PhD employed mixed-methods, including co-design methodologies to explore how fathers can be better engaged in nutrition and parenting support, particularly in contexts of socioeconomic disadvantage.
At the University of Newcastle, he evaluated national mHealth programs, SMS4dads and SMS4DeadlyDads, designed to support parenting, mental health, and child development among expectant and new fathers. At QUT, his research included the evaluation of the Eat Learn Grow trial promoting responsive feeding among families experiencing disadvantage, exploring child feeding practices among culturally and linguistically diverse families, and validating feeding practices questionnaires for disadvantaged populations.
He is also engaged in scholarship of learning and teaching, currently researching blended learning approaches in nutrition and dietetics to inform curriculum design and teaching practice at UniSc. Jeffrey has presented his work at the International Society of Behavioural Nutrition and Physical Activity and the World Public Health Nutrition Congress, contributes to peer review for Nutrition & Dietetics, Appetite, and the Journal of Human Nutrition and Dietetics, and is a member of The Family Meals Collective.
Research areas
- public health nutrition
- childhood nutrition
- food parenting
- food and nutrition security
- nutrition education
- fatherhood
Dr Jeffrey So's specialist areas of knowledge include child feeding and nutrition, food parenting, family meals, food security