Dr Catharine Fleming, Senior Lecturer in Public Health at Western Sydney University, is dedicated to ensuring that every child has access to the nutritious food they need to grow, develop, and thrive. Despite global progress, in 2025 only one-third of children aged 6–23 months and two-thirds of women and girls aged 15–49 have diets diverse enough to prevent diet-related disease.
An expert in paediatric and public health nutrition, Dr Fleming shapes global and local policies that uphold a child’s right to food—grounded in the voices of young people worldwide. She has collaborated with UNICEF, USAID, World Vision, the Global Alliance for Nutrition (GAIN), and Nutrition International to drive transformative change.
Her landmark work with UNICEF engaged over 2,000 young people across 30 countries, with findings presented at the United Nations General Assembly and directly influencing global nutrition policy. She has also partnered with World Vision to train youth leaders across South Asia and the Pacific to conduct nutrition research, with results showcased at the 2025 Nutrition for Growth Summit in Paris.
Through media appearances on the Today Show, Channel 7 Melbourne, and Sydney Morning Health, Dr Fleming translates her research into accessible insights for families. By combining scientific excellence, policy impact, and public engagement, she is driving change to ensure every child and adolescent can access diverse, nutritious diets.