Dr. Dewey's research area is community and international nutrition, with an emphasis on maternal and child nutrition. Current topics of investigation include:

1. Interventions to prevent malnutrition in developing countries (such as the use of lipid-based nutrient supplements), particularly among children under two and pregnant and lactating women
2. Iron status of infants and young children
3. Cross-cultural comparison of early lactation success and risk factors for breastfeeding difficulties
4. Influence of infant feeding practices on infant intake, growth and fatness, and subsequent risk of child overweight

Dr. Dewey was the Director of the Program in International & Community Nutrition from 2007 – 2018.