Planning for ASN’s Centennial
In 2028, ASN will celebrate 100 years as a leading advocate for nutrition scientists and the advancement of nutrition.
As we look forward to our centennial, we see vast opportunities in our field that build on our strengths in the areas of nutrition science-based information and practice, education and professional development, science policy and advocacy, and member engagement to become the preeminent, go-to source for all things nutrition.
To navigate the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead, we have developed a strategic plan that will serve as a roadmap for priorities and investment over the next 10 years.
Our Vision:
A Healthier World through Evidence-Based Nutrition
Our Mission:
To Advance the Science, Education and Practice of Nutrition
Strategic Priorities
We will pursue our mission through three Strategic Priorities: Knowledge, Engagement and Impact.
Knowledge
ASN will lead efforts to provide science-based nutrition information that is essential to advancing knowledge and improving health around the world.
ASN is a leader in keeping nutrition professionals up to date on the latest science and trends, and we embrace new technologies to broaden knowledge in innovative ways. We provide high caliber, engaging educational programs to support continuing education for nutrition professionals and healthcare providers through webinars, meetings, symposia, workshops, online learning, and other professional development activities. We also aim to educate others on nutrition through high-quality, easy-to-understand materials.
Engagement
ASN will engage the nutrition science community and relevant stakeholders with opportunities to learn, discuss, grow and work together to improve health around the world through nutrition science and practice.
With nearly 7,000 members from more than 100 countries, ASN is instrumental in convening key stakeholders for the purpose of advancing nutrition science and practice. ASN has a long history of partnering and collaborating with not only our members, but with like-minded organizations to promote shared interests and achieve shared goals as well. ASN will expand its reach and connect with new audiences, including traditional media, influencers, and channels to the public to more broadly share science-based nutrition information and establish itself as the authority on nutrition.
Impact
ASN will lead the world in advancing nutrition science policy and advocacy to improve public health.
ASN is a respected, leading global authority that leverages nutrition data to impact decision makers to establish and enforce sound nutrition policies and regulations. ASN works closely with partner organizations though alliances and coalitions to increase our impact and forges meaningful relationships with Congress and federal agencies. ASN advocates for increased funding for basic, clinical, applied and translational nutrition research and calls upon our members and partners to join our advocacy efforts and strengthen our collective voice.
Strategic Imperatives
Operational Excellence
Execute strategy effectively and reliably with continuous quality improvement and engaged volunteer and staff leadership.
Investment & Sustainability
Adopt strategies and activities that meet the needs of the Society and its stakeholders today while protecting, sustaining and enhancing resources for the future.
Strategic Objectives
A ten-year planning horizon is ideal for ambitious outcomes. Operational plans are built in smaller increments of time, each taking us a step closer to our vision.
The 2019-2022 Work Plan is the first phase of ASN 2028; propelling the Society forward to make our vision a reality. Strategic Objectives are outlined within each Strategic Priority, defining ASN’s outcomes for Phase 1 of ASN 2028.
Knowledge
- Lead Creation of New Programs and Products to Advance Knowledge
- Expand Value of ASN Journals and Information Resources
- Develop Translational Products and Activities
- Conduct Year-Round Educational Activities Live and Online
– Grow and Expand Flagship meeting Nutrition
– Expand Online Learning - Refocus nutrition.org to a Dynamic Online Nutrition Science Resource
Cultivate Partnerships to Broaden Knowledge Activities
Engagement
- Launch Membership Expansion Plan to Recognize and Support Members in All Career Stages
- Build Strategies to Bring Awareness of ASN and its Value to New Audiences Key to ASN 2028 in the US and Around the World
- Enhance ASN Foundation’s Fellows Program
- Refocus and Repurpose ASN Foundation to Facilitate a Culture of Giving and Effective
- Partnerships in Support of ASN 2028
- Identify Needs, Assess Capacity to Meet and Prioritize New Offerings
Impact
- Implement Trust in Nutrition Science Recommendations
- Grow Nutrition Action Alliance
- Advocate for Increased Investment in Nutrition Research
- Impact Evidence-Based Nutrition Science Policy, including 2020 Dietary Guidelines for Americans
- Update ASN Nutrition Research Priorities
- Further ASN State of the Science Reviews, Guidelines, and More
- Advance National Institute of Nutrition Discussion
Sustainability & Operations
- Fiscal Management and Financial Growth
- Diversity & Inclusion
- Comprehensive Communication Plan
- Market Research
ASN 2028 Background
This strategic plan is a transformational vision for the future of ASN that builds on our significant accomplishments as we seek new challenges.
It to positions ASN as a major contributor to improved public health through knowledge, engagement, and impact in the field of nutrition science and practice, with a significant focus on expanding our reach.
Development of the strategic plan was led by ASN’s Strategic Oversight Committee (SOC), with vital contributions from members, key partners and stakeholders. More than 100 leaders in nutrition gathered at the ASN VISION 2028 Summit in Washington, D.C., in late 2017 to answer some of the biggest questions facing the field of nutrition.
More About Planning ProcessASN 2028 Timeline
April 2016
VISION 2028 Conceptualized
Past-Presidents Patrick Stover & Marion Neuhouser commission Strategic Oversight Committee (SOC) to develop recommendations for VISION 2028
April 2017
VISION 2028 Initiative Announced and Initiated
Vision 2028 presentation to membership at ASN Society Business Meeting
SOC draws up action plan
ASN commissions external consultants
7-8 December 2017
VISION 2028 Summit in Washington, DC
100 members review successes of 2012-2016 Strategic Map, participate in interactive horizon scanning and ideas generation for VISION 2028
16-18 March 2018
VISION 2028 Leadership Group meeting
ASN President (Johnson), Executive Officer (Courtney), VP for International Affairs (Cornett), SOC Chair (Prentice) consolidate summit outputs
29 March 2018
SOC Tele-conference
Discussion and agreement on core recommendations to ASN membership
April-May 2018
Drafting of VISION 2028 Green Paper
Early June 2018
VISION 2028 Green Paper reviewed by Summit attendees
June 2018 – August 15, 2018
Green Paper published on website
Membership notified and inputs requested through August 15, 2018
Nutrition2018
Active communication of VISION 2028 Green Paper
Face-to-face opportunities for discussion and feedback
SOC to assimilate inputs and initiate redrafting as White Paper
August 15 – September 30, 2018
Drafting of VISION 2028 White Paper
SOC and VISION 2028 Leadership Group review all inputs and incorporate into White Paper
October 2018
Board of Directors adopts VISION 2028 White Paper
End of 2018
3-year and 10-year Action Plans begin in lead up to 2028
Vision 2028
ASN Past Presidents Patrick J. Stover, PhD and Marian L. Neuhouser, PhD, RD along with then President Mary Ann Johnson, PhD and Vice President Catherine J. Field, PhD, RD, and the Board of Directors worked together to put into motion VISION 2028 Phase 1: Insight – Define the Path
The inclusive planning process engaged ASN membership, key partners and stakeholders of ASN, as well as potential new segments, stakeholders and new opportunities.
ASN’s Strategic Oversight Committee (SOC), chaired by Andrew Prentice, PhD, led the planning process.
As a first step in the process, over 100 leaders in nutrition gathered in Washington, DC, December 7-8, 2017 for the ASN VISION 2028 Summit. Together they engaged in discussion with a futurist and a journalist, conducted an organizational diagnosis to look within, and created a transformational vision for the future.
The SOC created a Green Paper from the outcome of the VISION 2028 Summit which became available for review in early June, 2018. Input was accepted until August 15, 2018 and then the SOC incorporated feedback and prepared a White Paper for review by the Board of Directors in the final quarter of 2018. The Board will oversee the delivery of results outlined in the plan in VISION 2028 Phase 2: Action – Shape the Future.
Join ASN!
The American Society of Nutrition’s (ASN) membership of more than 5,000 scientists and practitioners continues grow daily. Founded in 1928, the Society’s membership rolls read like a “Who’s is Who” in the field of nutrition research.