- Reader in Food, Nutrition and Public Health, University of Westminster
I am a reader at the University of Westminster and a nurse midwife with over 44 years experience in Global Public Health and Nutrition, health systems strengthening and maternal and child health. I am the Course Leader at the University of Westminster in London for the MSc in Global Public Health Nutrition. I have worked in over 30 countries in Africa, Asia and Europe strengthening access to health and nutrition services. My research interests are wide from food insecurity in the UK , Africa and Asia, to improving infant and young child feeding practices and promoting the right to health and the right to food for all. Addressing health and wider inequalities is the basis of moving the right to health nutrition and food closer to promises made in 1948.
Over thirty years’ experience supporting over 56 countries to strengthen universal health coverage and increase the voice of nurses and health workers in health policy and planning. Roles included International and Public Health Leadership and Organisational change, Health Financing systems, Health Systems strengthening Maternal and Child Health and Nutrition systems and outcomes, evidenced based Health policy formation implementation and evaluation. Health and Nutrition interventions in emergencies and fragile contexts, programme management.
Areas of Expertise: Health financing (user fees, social health insurance systems, community and private insurance systems and tax funded systems), addressing supply and demand failures in health systems, Human resource and health financing policy and planning, organisational change, capacity building, evidence based change management, quality control and outcome focused monitoring and evaluation systems to include participatory learning in action and implementation research, , Strategic Planning and Management, change management, Organisation Development, Infectious diseases, leadership and establishing partnerships and service provider supply systems, Maternal New-born and Child Health (MNCH), health policy development, HIV, Social Development, gender and development, community, district and national programming,. Global Health Policy and Partnerships and reaching the hard to reach. Presenting I am a Commissioner on the UK Right to Food Commission launched in November 2025.
Experience
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2025–presentReader, University of Westminster
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2006–presentDirector of Health Nutrition and Social Policy, Cara International Consulting
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2012–2025Senior lecturer, University of Westminster
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2009–2012Global Health and Nutrition Adviser , World Vision International
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2000–2008Head of Health Policy, Save the Children UK
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1997–1999PHC Coordinator Kaduna Nigeria, APSO Ireland
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1995–1996Nurse Practitioner , American Embassy Gaborone
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1994–1995Midwife Sister , Gaborone Private Hospital
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1991–1993Practice Nurse Team Lead, Muirhouse Medical Centre Edinburgh
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1988–1991PHC Coordinator Gambia , VSO
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1987–1988Staff Midwife, Barking Maternity Hospital
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1985–1986Staff Nurse , Barking Maternity Hospital
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1985–1985Staff Nurse , Cork Regional Hospital Ireland
Education
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2021University of Westminster, PhD Nutrition
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2000QMUC Edinburgh, MSc International Health
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1992New York State University, Register Professional Nurse (RPN)
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1987Barking Maternity Hospital UK, Registered Midwife
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1985Cork Regional Hospital, Registered General Nurse
Professional Memberships
- Royal College of Nurses Fellow
- Nursing and Midwifery Council
- World Public Health Nutrition association
Honours
RCN Fellow
Contact Regina for
- General
- Media request
- Speaking request
- Consulting / Advising
- Research collaboration
- Research supervision
- Location: Belfast and London
- Website
- LinkedIn: reginakeith
- X (formerly Twitter): @reginakeith1
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