The 2026 Irish Section Conference will consider 'Innovative approaches for optimising nutrition across the lifecycle’ and the programme will include 3 symposia:
- Nutrition across the lifecycle: Foundations for Lifelong Health
- Translating Nutrition Research into Policy and Practice
- Food systems and sustainability
This meeting is a key annual meeting of the Irish section of the nutrition society and typically attracts 150 delegates including researchers, clinical practitioners, doctoral and postgraduate students from across Ireland and the UK.
CLOSING DATE FOR REGISTRATION : 2 June 2026
To register for the gala dinner and the BBQ, please use the seperate booking forms under the 'Event Details' tab above.
Day One
Registration
Welcome
Symposium 1 - Nutrition across the lifecycle: Foundations for Lifelong Health
The importance of vitamin B12 for neuropsychiatric heath and nutrition policy
Professor Ralph Green, University of California, Davis, USA
Iron deficiency in pregnancy: Advances and challenges in detection and prevention
Dr Sabrina Demirdjian, Kings College London, UK
Refreshment Break
Does nutrition play a role in Parkinson’s disease?
Dr Fiona Lithander, University of Auckland, New Zealand
Feeding your epigenetic clock: the link between food and better ageing across the lifecycle
Professor Paul Shields, University of Glasgow, UK
Panel Discussion
Lunch
Oral Communication Session One
Refreshment Break
Oral Communication Session Two
End of Day One
Evening BBQ & Networking (please register separately)
Day Two
Irish Postgraduate Symposium
Refreshment Break
Julie Wallace Lecture
Oral Communication Session Three
Lunch
Irish Section AGM
Symposium 2 - Translating Nutrition Research into Policy and Practice
The application of artificial intelligence in nutrition and health research
Professor Michaela Black, Ulster University, UK
The Barriers and Facilitators to Implementing Digital Health Technologies in Nutrition and Dietetics
Dr Cathal O’Hara, Royal College of Surgeons, Ireland
Refreshment Break
Assessment of B-vitamin nutritional status: Novel biomarkers for individual and population health
Dr Adrian McCann, Bevital, Norway
Evidence, efficacy and engagement: building blocks of translational research
Dr Karen Callaghan, King's College London, UK
Panel Discussion
End of Day Two
Gala Dinner (please register separately)
Day Three
Symposium 3 - Food Systems, Sustainability and Equity in Nutrition
When policy meets preference: exploring school food choices across policy, food systems and pupil perspectives
Dr Suzanne Spence, Newcastle University, UK
Sustainable and Healthy Diets
Dr Lauren Devine, UCD, Ireland
Refreshment Break
Can biofortification be used as a tool to enhance the food system?
Dr Kirsty Pourshahidi, Ulster University, UK
Community-based approaches to addressing food insecurity in the UK
Dr Hilda Mulrooney, London Metropolitan University, UK
Panel Discussion
Closing Remarks
Close of conference
This is an in-person event only.
Conference address:
Coleraine Campus
Ulster University
Cromore Rd
Coleraine BT52 1SA
There are two social events:
Wednesday 17 June: Evening BBQ & Networking from 6.30pm
Thursday 18 June: Gala Dinner from 7.30pm.
There are separate tickets available for the BBQ & Gala Dinner.
The abstract submission portal is now closed. You can access the abstract portal HERE
Communications
Following submission you will receive a confirmation email. All communications regarding your abstract including acknowledgement and acceptance will sent to the nominated corresponding authors on each submission. You can select more than one corresponding author. If you wish for an author to receive all updates, they must be confirmed as a corresponding author.
When will I hear if my abstract has been accepted?
Authors will hear by early mid-May 2026 if their abstract has been accepted for presentation. Although preferences for oral and poster presentations are considered, this format cannot be guaranteed and the running order cannot be amended. All presenting authors will need to register to attend the conference and attend in-person. Please note that if an author does not present at the conference, the abstract will be automatically withdrawn from publication.
If you have any queries, please contact the Society's Events Manager.
Order your tickets - closing date for Registration 2 June 2026
Non-member
Member - To benefit from the membership rate, please log in to your membership area before completing the registration.
Student/Low-income/unwaged Member - To benefit from the membership rate, please log in to your membership area before completing the registration.
Student Non-Member - To benefit from this discount, please contact [email protected] and share your institution and year of graduation.