Ruth Kharis
Director, Sustain: The Australian Food Network
PhD candidate, National Centre for Epidemiology and Population Health, Australian National University
Ruth Kharis is a sustainable food policy expert with extensive experience of working with First Nations and Culturally and Linguistically Diverse communities in public health nutrition and health promotion. Early in her 33-year career as an Accredited Practising Dietitian, she developed a passion for sustainable food systems.
Ruth has achieved further qualifications and training, by completing a Master of Environmental Planning and being a PhD candidate for nine years at the Australian National University. Her qualitative food policy research included interviewing Australian policy actors exploring food policy that integrates health issues and environmental issues. For 20 years she worked for the Federal, State, and Territory governments, in Health and Environment Departments.
Ruth was a Dietitians Association of Australia representative, for the International Confederation of Dietetic Association's: Sustainable Food Systems workshop in 2020 and Food Sustainability Initiative in 2019, 2018. Her memberships include the Public Health Association of Australia and EIANZ.