Dr Lenka Malek
Lecturer
School of Agriculture, Food and Wine
Faculty of Sciences, Engineering and Technology
Eligible to supervise Masters and PhD - email supervisor to discuss availability.
Dr Lenka Malek is a qualified dietitian who was awarded a PhD in Medicine from the University of Adelaide in 2015. In 2023, she commenced her role as a Lecturer in the School of Agriculture, Food & Wine. Prior to this she was a Research Fellow at the Centre for Global Food and Resources (part of the School of Economics and Public Policy) (2014-2022).
As an education specialist, Lenka teaches into the Food and Nutrition Science program and is part of the Haide College teaching team. She teaches and assists with the development and delivery of several undergraduate and postgraduate courses, including Public Health Nutrition III, Nutrition II, Nutrition I, Food Quality and Regulation, Food Product Development III, Nutrition Metabolism, Research Methods and Data Analysis.
Lenka enjoys exposing others to the curious world of food choices and drivers of dietary behaviour through her role as lecturer and supervisor of higher degree research students. Her qualitative and quantitative research expertise covers a wide range of domain areas including but not limited to: changing protein consumption patterns, alternative protein products, lab-grown meat, food preferences, food recalls and food safety perceptions, food insecurity, environmental impact, sustainability, COVID-related dietary changes, dietary supplement use, food fortification, adherence to dietary recommendations, dietary intake during pregnancy, infant formula purchase and preparation decisions, and health care provider practices. She conducts focus group discussions, in-depth interviews and online consumer surveys and uses a range of techniques (e.g., discrete choice experiments and eye-tracking) to elicit consumer preferences and generate usable consumer insights.
Her multidisciplinary research aims to produce consumer behaviour insights which can be used to inform development of and improvements in food and health policy. For example, Lenka has conducted several projects for Food Standards Australia and New Zealand, the results of which have helped to inform changes to labelling standards for infant formula products.
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Appointments
Date Position Institution name 2023 - ongoing Lecturer The University of Adelaide 2014 - 2023 Research Fellow University of Adelaide 2012 - 2012 Lecturer, tutor and practical demonstrator (casual) University of Adelaide 2011 - 2014 Research Assistant (casual) Women's & Children's Health Research Institute -
Awards and Achievements
Date Type Title Institution Name Country Amount 2017 Award Women's Research Excellence Award The University of Adelaide Australia $5,000 2015 Recognition Deans Commendation for Doctoral Thesis Excellence University of Adelaide Australia - -
Language Competencies
Language Competency Czech Can read, write, speak and understand spoken English Can read, write, speak, understand spoken and peer review -
Education
Date Institution name Country Title 2011 - 2015 University of Adelaide Australia PhD 2007 - 2010 Flinders University Australia Bachelor of Nutrition & Dietetics (Hons) -
Research Interests
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Journals
Year Citation 2024 Tulysewski, G., Hendrie, G. A., Baird, D. L., Umberger, W., & Malek, L. (2024). Factors Influencing Consumption of Animal-Based Dairy and Plant-Based Milk Alternatives in Australia. Sustainability (Switzerland), 16(16), 15 pages.
2023 Malek, L., & Umberger, W. J. (2023). Protein source matters: Understanding consumer segments with distinct preferences for alternative proteins. Future Foods, 7, 1-15.
Scopus18 WoS22023 Nguyen, T. T. T., Malek, L., Umberger, W. J., & O'Connor, P. J. (2023). Food waste 'Warriors', 'Strugglers' and 'Slackers': Segmenting households based on food waste generation and sorting behaviours. Food Quality and Preference, 112, 105000-1-105000-20.
Scopus62023 Nguyen, T. T. T., Malek, L., Umberger, W. J., & O'Connor, P. J. (2023). Motivations behind daily preventative household food waste behaviours: The role of gain, hedonic, normative, and competing goals. Sustainable Production and Consumption, 43, 278-296.
Scopus142022 Nguyen, T. T. T., Malek, L., Umberger, W. J., & O'Connor, P. J. (2022). Household food waste disposal behaviour is driven by perceived personal benefits, recycling habits and ability to compost. Journal of Cleaner Production, 379(1), 134636-1-134636-10.
Scopus23 WoS32022 de Oliveira Padilha, L. G., Malek, L., & Umberger, W. J. (2022). Consumers’ attitudes towards lab-grown meat, conventionally raised meat and plant-based protein alternatives. Food Quality and Preference, 99, 10 pages.
Scopus43 WoS152022 Malek, L., Umberger, W. J., Zhou, S. -J., Huynh, E., & Makrides, M. (2022). Testing the Impact of Familiarity with Health Benefits Information on Dietary Supplement Choice in Pregnancy: An Online Choice Experiment. Nutrients, 14(9), 1-17.
2021 Malek, L., & Umberger, W. J. (2021). Distinguishing meat reducers from unrestricted omnivores, vegetarians and vegans: A comprehensive comparison of Australian consumers. Food Quality and Preference, 88, 12 pages.
Scopus64 WoS372021 Garcez de Oliveira Padilha, L., Malek, L., & Umberger, W. J. (2021). Sustainable meat: Looking through the eyes of Australian consumers. Sustainability, 13(10), 1-24.
Scopus13 WoS62021 Garcez de Oliveira Padilha, L., Malek, L., & Umberger, W. J. (2021). Food choice drivers of potential lab-grown meat consumers in Australia. British Food Journal, 123(9), 3014-3031.
Scopus14 WoS82021 Malek, L., & Umberger, W. J. (2021). How flexible are flexitarians? Examining diversity in dietary patterns, motivations and future intentions. Cleaner and Responsible Consumption, 3, 100038.
Scopus43 WoS182020 Malek, L., Duffy, G., Fowler, H., & Katzer, L. (2020). Use and understanding of labelling information when preparing infant formula: Evidence from interviews and eye tracking. FOOD POLICY, 93, 11 pages.
Scopus4 WoS32019 Malek, L., Umberger, W., & Goddard, E. (2019). Is anti-consumption driving meat consumption changes in Australia?. British Food Journal, 121(1), 123-138.
Scopus41 WoS312019 Malek, L., Fowler, H., Duffy, G., & Katzer, L. (2019). Informed choice or guessing game? Understanding caregivers' perceptions and use of infant formula labelling. Public Health Nutrition, 22(2), 273-286.
Scopus13 WoS10 Europe PMC72019 Malek, L., Umberger, W. J., & Goddard, E. (2019). Committed vs. uncommitted meat eaters: Understanding willingness to change protein consumption. Appetite, 138, 115-126.
Scopus109 WoS70 Europe PMC292019 Malek, L., Umberger, W. J., Zhou, S. J., Makrides, M., & Huynh, E. (2019). Understanding Preferences for Dietary Supplements and Fortified Food during Pregnancy: A Discrete Choice Experiment. Journal of Food Products Marketing, 25(5), 500-526.
Scopus3 WoS22018 Malek, L., Umberger, W., Makrides, M., Collins, C., & Zhou, S. (2018). Understanding motivations for dietary supplementation during pregnancy: A focus group study. Midwifery, 57, 59-68.
Scopus16 WoS11 Europe PMC72017 Malek, L., Umberger, W., Makrides, M., & Zhou, S. J. (2017). Predicting healthy eating intention and adherence to dietary recommendations during pregnancy in Australia using the Theory of Planned Behaviour. Appetite, 116, 431-441.
Scopus37 WoS26 Europe PMC192017 Malek, L., Umberger, W., & Rolfe, J. (2017). Segmentation of Australian meat consumers based on attitudes regarding farm animal welfare and the environmental impact of meat production. Animal Production Science, 58(3), 424-434.
Scopus25 WoS192017 Guess, K., Malek, L., Anderson, A., Makrides, M., & Zhou, S. (2017). Knowledge and practices regarding iodine supplementation: a national survey of healthcare providers. Women and Birth, 30(1), e56-e60.
Scopus15 WoS11 Europe PMC122016 Malek, L., Umberger, W., Makrides, M., & Zhou, S. (2016). Adherence to the Australian dietary guidelines during pregnancy: evidence from a national study. Public Health Nutrition, 19(7), 1155-1163.
Scopus63 WoS50 Europe PMC432016 Martin, J. C., Zhou, S. J., Flynn, A. C., Malek, L., Greco, R., & Moran, L. (2016). The Assessment of Diet Quality and Its Effects on Health Outcomes Pre-pregnancy and during Pregnancy. Seminars in Reproductive Medicine, 34(2), 83-92.
Scopus26 WoS25 Europe PMC252016 Malek, L., Umberger, W., Makrides, M., & Zhou, S. (2016). Poor adherence to folic acid and iodine supplement recommendations in preconception and pregnancy: a cross-sectional analysis. Australian and New Zealand Journal of Public Health, 40(5), 424-429.
Scopus34 WoS30 Europe PMC19 -
Book Chapters
Year Citation 2022 Malek, L., Netting, M., & Makrides, M. (2022). 2.8 Nutrition in Pregnancy and Lactation. In World Review of Nutrition and Dietetics (Vol. 124, pp. 189-196). S. Karger AG.
DOI Scopus12015 Malek, L., & Makrides, M. (2015). Nutrition in Pregnancy and Lactation. In B. Koletzko, J. Bhatia, Z. Bhutta, P. Cooper, M. Makrides, R. Uauy, & W. Wang (Eds.), Pediatric Nutrition in Practice (Vol. 113, 2nd edition ed., pp. 127-133). Basel, Switzerland: Karger.
DOI Scopus1 WoS1 -
Conference Papers
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Conference Items
Year Citation 2017 Yargop, R., Malek, L., Nelle, S., & Umberger, W. (2017). A study of drivers for industry growth and innovation in the South Australian food and agribusiness sector. Poster session presented at the meeting of Australian Agricultural and Resource Economics Society. Corner Merivale And Glenelg Streets, South Bank, Brisbane, Queensland. 2014 Malek, L., Zhou, S. J., Makrides, M., Flynn, T., & Umberger, W. (2014). A discrete choice experiment to understand factors influencing women’s dietary decisions during pregnancy. Poster session presented at the meeting of Social Networks, Social Media and the Economics of Food. Montreal, Canada. 2014 Malek, L., Zhou, S. J., Makrides, M., & Umberger, W. (2014). A novel study to understand psychosocial factors influencing healthy eating intention during pregnancy. Poster session presented at the meeting of Social Networks, Social Media and the Economics of Food. Montreal, Canada. 2014 Oral Abstracts (2014). Poster session presented at the meeting of Journal of Paediatrics and Child Health. Wiley.
DOI2013 Malek, L., Zhou, S. J., Makrides, M., Flynn, T., & Umberger, W. (2013). Understanding consumer preferences for nutritional supplements during pregnancy: A choice experiment study. Poster session presented at the meeting of 9th World Congress of the International Health Economics Association (iHEA). Sydney, New South Wales, Australia. -
Report for External Bodies
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Theses
Year Citation 2015 Malek, L. (2015). Exploring the nutrition knowledge, attitudes and practices of pregnant women in Australia. (PhD Thesis, The University of Adelaide). -
Internet Publications
Year Citation 2015 Edwards, V. (2015). Pregnant women not following dietary guidelines: study. The Australian. 2015 McBeth, T. (2015). Back to basics in pregnancy. Bupa- The Blue Room. 2015 Corderoy, A. (2015). Pregnant women think they are eating healthily, but study shows almost none are. The Sydney Morning Herald. 2015 AAP. (2015). Pregnant women not eating enough vegies: study. Essential Baby. 2015 Madigan, N. (2015). Pregnant women failing to follow dietary guidelines. newbornbaby.com.au. 2015 Food Safety. (2015). So pregnant women are not eating as well as most believe.. Food Safety Australia. 2015 AAP. (2015). Expecting mothers shun vegies: study. SBS. 2015 Azzi, M. (2015). Australian women aren't eating enough vegetables, meat or grains during pregnancy but they THINK they are. Daily Mail Australia. 2013 AAP. (2013). Expectant mums relying on supplements. 9news.
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Current Higher Degree by Research Supervision (University of Adelaide)
Date Role Research Topic Program Degree Type Student Load Student Name 2022 Principal Supervisor The State of Front-Of-Pack Environmental Sustainability Promotion on Australian Supermarket Food Products and Consumer Perceptions in Relation to Cost and Health Doctor of Philosophy Doctorate Part Time Miss Grace Louise Tulysewski -
Past Higher Degree by Research Supervision (University of Adelaide)
Date Role Research Topic Program Degree Type Student Load Student Name 2021 - 2023 Principal Supervisor Understanding the Attitudinal and Behavioural Determinants of Household Food Waste in Australia Doctor of Philosophy Doctorate Full Time Ms Trang Thi Thu Nguyen 2020 - 2024 Co-Supervisor Understanding Consumers’ Organic Food Purchasing Behaviour in Laos and Australia Doctor of Philosophy Doctorate Full Time Mrs Chitpasong Kousonsavath 2017 - 2021 Co-Supervisor Consumer perceptions and intentions towards sustainable meat consumption and lab-grown meat in Australia Doctor of Philosophy Doctorate Full Time Miss Livia Garcez de Oliveira Padilha
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Memberships
Date Role Membership Country 2016 - ongoing Member Australian Agricultural and Resource Economics Society Australia
Connect With Me
External Profiles
