Dr. Jedha Dening, PhD
➤ Research & Evaluation Leader
➤ Digital Health Innovator
➤ Evidence Translation Specialist
➤ Founder & Research Director
I am a researcher, digital health innovator and founder focused on turning high-quality evidence into practical solutions that improve people’s lives.
My experience spans research strategy, clinical research, mixed-methods evaluation, digital intervention design, research governance, evidence translation and real-world implementation.
Building Research That Makes a Difference
My career has been shaped by a question that continues to drive my work: how do we take high-quality research and turn it into practical solutions that create meaningful, measurable change?
I have conceived and led research from initial evidence-gap identification through systematic review, co-design, research governance, randomised controlled trials, mixed-methods evaluation, publication and real-world implementation.
My primary research expertise has developed within type 2 diabetes, nutrition and digital health. As Lead Investigator of the T2Diet Research Program at Deakin University, I conceived and led a multi-phase program investigating digitally delivered nutrition interventions for adults living with type 2 diabetes.
Beyond academic research, I have spent more than a decade building organisations, digital health programs and education systems that translate scientific evidence into practical support used by thousands of people internationally.
My work brings together research, evaluation, digital innovation, implementation and evidence translation—with a strong belief that research should not end with publication, but should inform decision-making, improve practice and lead to measurable improvements in people’s lives.
What I Bring
Research Strategy & Leadership
Building research programs from evidence-gap identification through design, governance, delivery, evaluation and dissemination.
Evaluation & Mixed-Methods Research
Qualitative, quantitative and mixed-methods approaches that combine robust evidence with an understanding of people’s lived experiences.
Digital Health & Innovation
Designing and implementing digital interventions, education platforms and technology-enabled approaches to improving access and achieve measurable outcomes.
Evidence Translation
Turning complex scientific evidence and research findings into practical recommendations, programs and resources for professional and public audiences.
Co-design & Engagement
Working collaboratively with participants and stakeholders to understand needs, identify barriers, recognise challenges and develop solutions that work in real-world settings.
Implementation & Continuous Improvement
Taking ideas beyond research into practical delivery, using evidence, feedback and data to refine programs and improve outcomes.
From Research Question to Real-World Impact
The T2Diet Research Program
I conceived and led the T2Diet Research Program at Deakin University to address an important evidence gap: could a digitally delivered nutrition intervention provide an effective and accessible way to support people living with type 2 diabetes?
The multi-phase program progressed from systematic review and user-centred co-design through research methodology and governance, implementation, mixed-methods evaluation and a randomised controlled trial.
5
Peer-reviewed publications
0.65%
Greater HbA1c reduction than standard care
4.36 kg/ 9.6 lbs
Average weight reduction
80%
Participant engagement
The research generated new evidence for digitally delivered nutrition interventions and demonstrated significant improvements in glycaemic control, body weight and medication requirements.
Importantly, the research moved beyond publication. Its findings have been translated into evidence-based digital health programs that continue to support people with type 2 diabetes and prediabetes internationally.
Building Beyond Research
My career has extended beyond conducting research to building the organisations, digital platforms and systems that turn ideas into practical implementation.
Real-World Implementation
As Founder and Research Director of Diabetes Meal Plans and T2Diet, I have translated research into digital health programs, education and practical resources used by thousands of people internationally.
Digital Innovation
My technical experience spans digital intervention design, website and platform development, online research and data collection systems, analytics, learning management systems, web infrastructure and the practical application of emerging digital and AI technologies.
Leadership & Delivery
I have built organisations, research programs and digital systems from the ground up, combining strategic thinking with hands-on implementation, multidisciplinary collaboration, adaptability and continuous improvement.
Qualifications
Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)
Digital Health
Deakin University
Master of Human Nutrition
Deakin University
Bachelor of Social Science
Sociology, Counselling & Communication
Southern Cross University
Research & Publications
My research has been published in leading international peer-reviewed journals including Nature: Nutrition & Diabetes, BMJ Open, PLOS ONE, Internet Interventions and JMIR.
My work has also contributed to broader evidence and policy discussions, including a submission to the Australian Parliamentary Inquiry into Diabetes.
