Building A Field Of Diverse Nutrition Investigators: A Ripple Effect Mapping Of The Healthy Eating Research Early Stage Investigator Work Group

Healthy Eating Research (HER) is commissioning University of Kentucky, under the direction of Courtney Luecking, PhD, MPH, RDN, Assistant Professor at University of Kentucky, to conduct a study entitled, Building a field of diverse nutrition investigators: A ripple effect mapping of the Healthy Eating Research Early Stage Investigator Work Group. Dr. Luecking will work with Dr. Nicole Breazeale from the Department of Community and Leadership Development in the Martin-Gatton College of Agriculture, Food and Environment to conduct a qualitative study utilizing a ripple effect mapping approach to evaluate the impact of the HER Early Stage Investigator Work Group. The ripple effects mapping will include four core tenets: 1) appreciative inquiry, 2) a participatory approach, 3) interactive group interviewing and reflection, and 4) radiant thinking (i.e., mind mapping). The research team will work with HER leadership to identify a purposive sample of 30 current and former HER ESI WG participants, co-chairs, and fellows based on stage of ESI and involvement in the HER ESI WG. Virtual sessions via Zoom will be conducted with 12- 15 participants and will focus on questions that identify the strengths of the current HER ESI WG approach (i.e., achievements, new connections, and unexpected outcomes related to participation). Additional phases of the study will involve pairs discussing open-ended questions and group reflection using xmind, a mind-mapping software. Data from xmind and notes collected during interviews will be analyzed using a combination of deductive and inductive coding processes. The research team will produce a final report summarizing findings and the mind map as well as a manuscript for publication in a peer-reviewed journal.