Dr Emily Burch - Southern Cross University

Biography

Emily Burch is an accomplished dietitian, diabetes educator and early career researcher dedicated to improving health outcomes for people living with diabetes, particularly those from underserved populations including individuals with intellectual disability. She holds accreditation as an Accredited Practising Dietitian and is passionate about advancing diabetes education, management, and research through evidence-based practice and inclusive care.

Emily has a clinical background in Aboriginal community healthcare. Her research focuses on improving diabetes healthcare across both public and private health sectors, with a particular emphasis on supporting individuals with intellectual disability who face unique challenges in managing diabetes and accessing appropriate care. Using both quantitative and qualitative methodologies, her work explores barriers to care, evaluates current interventions, and develops strategies to make diabetes management more inclusive and effective.

Emily is actively engaged in collaborative initiatives to advance diabetes and nutrition research and education. She is a member of several professional organisations including Dietitians Australia (DA), the Australian Diabetes Educators Association (ADEA), the Psychosocial Aspects of Diabetes (PSAD) and the National Intellectual Disability Clinician's Network (NIDCN). Through these networks, she works to bridge the gap between research evidence and clinical practice, ensuring healthcare is accessible, inclusive, and relevant for diverse populations.

As Course Coordinator and Lecturer for the Graduate Certificate in Diabetes Education and Management at Southern Cross University, Emily is passionate about educating the next generation of diabetes healthcare professionals and guiding the program's ongoing development.

Emily is a highly accomplished science communicator who aims to amplify the impact of nutrition and diabetes research through effective knowledge translation. She has published over 38 articles on The Conversation with a cumulative readership of over 3.7 million and regularly speaks on ABC radio, working to make evidence-based health information accessible to broader audiences and advancing public understanding of nutrition and diabetes care.

Emily's work contributes to the following UN Sustainable Development Goals