She has a first class undergraduate degree in Human Nutrition from Northumbria University and a Postgraduate Diploma in Dietetics from Leeds Metropolitan University. She currently works as a Research Associate on the Diabetes Remission Clinical Trial (DiRECT). Alison has previously worked as an NHS specialist diabetes dietitian for Northumbria Healthcare NHS foundation Trust (2009-2014), providing regular clinics in primary care and specialist clinics and group education in secondary care. She has also worked on group weight management programmes for both adults and families in community settings. Alison is committed to an approach which empowers patients to better manage their own health. In addition to her nutrition-related qualifications she has an English Literature degree from Newcastle University and has previously worked in restaurant management and charity fundraising.