DEI In Action: SNEB Introduces JEDI Focus

Raybourn Group International (RGI) client the Society for Nutrition Education and Behavior (SNEB) added the first Justice, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (JEDI) Abstract and Program component to its 2024 International Conference in Knoxville, TN, in July.

In 2022, the SNEB membership passed a resolution, “Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Statement for the Society of Nutrition Education and Behavior,” in support of the goal of becoming an anti-racist, multicultural organization. The resolution states, “SNEB will actively work towards ensuring that the next generation of practitioners is diverse and equipped to support the JEDI principles in their (professional and personal) practices.” The resolution included six questions to evaluate all of the Society’s projects and programs including, “How is this project supporting knowledge, attitudes and behavior that expand authentic commitment to enhancing racial equity and food justice?” The goal of the resolution and program analysis is to ensure that for SNEB, JEDI is not a special effort; it’s a thread that runs through every part of the organization.

For decades, the presentation of research abstracts has been a key component of the SNEB conference. When SNEB’s DEI Committee put the resolution questions to the abstract process the first thought was to create a new abstract category. Instead it was decided to not separate the DEI research but to recognize the DEI components in all of the existing abstract categories.

When submitting abstracts, authors were asked to explain how DEI were a part of their research project. Questions asked did the research:

• Overcome barriers and ensure accessibility for underrepresented populations,
• Include educators/researchers and collaborators in this project who are reflective of the population,
• Use equity-related policies in the study or program, and
• Have a significant level of community engagement.

The DEI Committee reviewed the answers and determined if the abstract should display the newly-designed JEDI emblem. This indicated to conference attendees that the abstract presenter was available for questions and knowledge sharing. In total, 18 of the 250 abstracts presented included a JEDI component as reviewed by the Committee. In 2025, the DEI Committee plans to incorporate the questionnaires in the initial abstract submission process and to extend the effort to conference programs. Additionally, they plan to create a brief discussion guide for attendees to encourage interaction with the JEDI presenters.