Conferences
venue Technological University Dublin
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Organised by:
Dr Liz O’Sullivan, Technological University Dublin, Ireland
Dr Liz O’Sullivan,
Dr Eileen O’Brien, Technological University Dublin, Ireland
Dr Eileen O’Brien,

This conference is hosted by the Irish Section of The Nutrition Society. 

An individual’s nutritional status impacts their health status and can reduce their risk of disease or aid with disease management. Primary prevention of disease through optimising diet and diet-related behaviours is a key strategy to improve population health. A more healthful dietary intake is also associated with better planetary health, and a focus on both is needed to ensure we meet the needs of the world’s growing population in a sustainable and equitable way.

The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) were created in 2015 with the aim of "peace and prosperity for people and the planet, now and into the future." At this conference, we will consider the intersection between nutrition and sustainability and consider how human and planetary health can be optimised as we go forward.

This conference will comprise three distinct, but related symposia. The first symposium introduces the concept of optimal nutrition throughout the lifecycle. The second explores the intersection of health, nutrition, and sustainability by describing sustainable interventions aimed at improving nutritional status. Finally, the third symposium looks to the future and considers policy implications of sustainable nutrition, with a particular focus on vulnerable population subgroups.


Student Bursaries 2025

The Nutrition Society Irish Section is offering five undergraduate student bursaries, each worth €300, to support attendance at the 2025 Nutrition Society Irish Section meeting. The bursary is intended to help cover the cost of conference registration and travel expenses. Funds will be provided directly to the selected students to assist with their participation. Many thanks to safefood, NutriPD and Nutritics for supporting these student bursaries. Please click on the award section for more information.



Come along to a fantastic opportunity to network and socialise with other delegates at the summer barbecue and Gala dinner at the Harbourmaster Bar and Restaurant. 

Please click HERE to register for the Gala dinner on 12th June 

Please click HERE to register for the Summer networking/ BBQ on 11th June 

Day One

08:30

Registration
Central Quad Foyer

09:15

Welcome
Dr Liz O’Sullivan, Technological University Dublin, Ireland
Dr Eileen O’Brien, Technological University Dublin, Ireland

09:30

Symposium One: Nutrition and Health Through the Life Course

09:30

Nutrition and food behaviours of children and adolescents: a health promotion perspective 
Professor, Colette Kelly, University of Galway, Ireland

10:10

The effect of lactation and weight loss on risk factors for cardiometabolic disease among postpartum women with overweight
Professor Hilde K Brekke, University of Oslo, Norway

10:50

Refreshment Break
Central Quad Foyer

11:10

Gut microbiota and its interaction with diet in the onset, propagation and management of non-communicable disease 
Professor Konstantinos Gerasimidis, University of Glasgow, UK

11:50

Personalising the Path to Sustainable Diets: Supporting Behaviour Change Across the Life Course Associate 
Professor Aifric O’Sullivan, University College Dublin, Ireland

12:30

Lunch Break
Central Quad Foyer

13:30

Original Communication Session One 
OC01 – OC08, Intel Auditorium 
OC09 – OC21, CQ007 
OC22 – OC39, CQ008

15:30

Refreshment Break
Central Quad Foyer

16:00

Original Communication Session Two 
OC31 – OC34, Intel Auditorium 
OC40 – OC47, CQ008

17:00

Closing remarks

18:30

Summer BBQ and Networking 
Harbourmaster Bar & Restaurant Customs House Dock

Day Two

09:00

Postgraduate Symposium
Intel Auditorium

09:00

Weight gain during pregnancy: an update on current challenges and practical considerations 
Ms Rachel Nolan, Ulster University, UK

09:25

Appetite for change - The urgent need to revisit malnutrition screening in oncology 
Ms Clodagh Scannell, University College Cork, Ireland

09:50

B vitamins, immune function and the ageing brain: A critical review of the evidence, mechanisms and potential role of the gut microbiome 
Mr Umair Shabbir, Ulster University, UK

10:15

The Role of Digital Nutrition Interventions for Individuals with Severe Mental Illness: Insights, Challenges and Future Directions
Ms Ciara O’Sullivan, Munster Technological University, Ireland

10:40

Refreshment Break
Central Quad Foyer

11:00

The Julie Wallace Medal Lecture
Intel Auditorium

11:00

Nutrition in Cancer Survivorship – Bridging the Evidence-Practice Gap 
Dr Laura Keaver, Atlantic Technological University, Ireland

11:45

Original Communication Session Three 
OC48 – OC53, Intel Auditorium 
OC54 – OC62, CQ007 
OC63 – OC71, CQ008

13:15

Lunch Break
Central Quad Foyer

13:30

Annual Section Meeting 
Intel Auditorium

14:20

Symposium Two: Sustainable strategies for optimal nutrition 
Intel Auditorium

14:20

Are we missing opportunities to promote healthy and sustainable meals? 
Professor Jeff Brunstrom, University of Bristol, UK

15:00

Using mixed methods research to understand food environments in Sri Lanka and Tanzania 
Professor Nicholas Nisbett, Institute of Development Studies. Food Equity Centre, UK

15:40

Refreshment Break
Central Quad Foyer

16:00

Processing Plant Proteins for Food: Navigating the Balance between Nutrition and Sustainability Associate 
Professor Iben Lykke Petersen, University of Copenhagen, Denmark

16:40

Findings of trial titled “Environmentally sustainable nutrition for older adults with obesity” 
Professor Peter Weijs, Amsterdam University of Applied Sciences, Netherlands

17:20

Closing remarks

19:30

Conference Dinner 
Harbourmaster Bar & Restaurant Customs House Dock

Day Three

09:15

Welcome and refreshments
Central Quad Foyer

09:30

Symposium Three: Sustainable solutions: Charting policy paths to nutritional equity 
Intel Auditorium

09:30

Collaborating with ‘blue food’ system stakeholders to achieve optimal nutritional health and wellbeing in less affluent communities 
Associate Professor Clare Pettinger, University of Plymouth, UK

10:10

Effectiveness of a web-based dietary intervention program targeting young adults prior to parenthood: lessons learned from a randomized controlled trial
Professor Nina Cecillie Øverby, University of Agder, Norway

10:50

Developing an infant and young child feeding in emergencies preparedness plan for the island of Ireland: a consensus study 
Dr Aileen Kennedy, Technological University Dublin, Ireland

11:30

Close of Conference

Venue Address

The conference is an in-person event. 

Conference venue: 

Technological University Dublin 
Central Quad, Grangegorman
D07 H6K8

Accommodation Options for Delegates

 We are pleased to offer accommodation for delegates attending the Nutrition Society Irish Section Meeting, hosted by TU Dublin. 

The conference hotel is the Maldron Hotel Smithfield, conveniently located in the heart of Dublin and 10-minute walk to TU Dublin:

 Additionally, we have arranged special rates at Highfield House, Grangegorman, modern student accommodation located within a 5-minute walk to TU Dublin:

  • Ensuite room in a shared apartment
  • €80 per person per night
  • To book your accommodation at Highfield House, please email [email protected] and quote "Nutrition Society Conference" in your message.

We look forward to welcoming you to Dublin!

Call for Abstract

The abstract submission portal for the 'Irish Section Conference - Promoting optimal nutrition for people and planet is now closed. Please read the guidance on how to submit your abstract using the Exordo system.

Please ensure that you read and follow the instructions to authors and submit your abstract by 7th April 2025. You must follow all of the instructions to ensure that your abstract can be considered for publication in the Proceedings of the Nutrition Society. Your abstract does not have to relate to the specific theme of the conference. You may also find tips on writing a successful abstract useful

How to Submit a successful abstract:

1) Read and follow the instructions to the authors. It is imperative that you follow all of the instructions to ensure that your abstract can be considered for publication in the Proceedings of the Nutrition Society. Please pay particular attention to the formatting guidance, which is different to other journals. 

2) Submit your abstract by 7th April 2025 at 23:59.

3) Amendments to your abstract submission will not be accepted after the deadline.

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 mid May 2025 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 Officer.

Order your tickets

£250

Member - To benefit from the membership rate, please log in to your membership area before completing the registration. 

£125

Student/LIC/Unwaged Member - To benefit from the membership rate, please log in to your membership area before completing the registration.

£375

Non - member fee

£27

Summer Networking and BBQ - Please click HERE to order your tickets

£75

Gala Dinner - Please click HERE to order your tickets 

Irish Postgraduate Competition

The Nutrition Society Irish Postgraduate Competition offers current Society members who are postgraduate students registered for a Higher Degree the opportunity to present an original short review paper on their research topic in the Postgraduate Symposium at the Nutrition Society Irish Section Conference. All winners of the competition will have the opportunity to have their review published in the Proceedings of the Nutrition Society. 

The Irish Postgraduate application portal is open. Find out more about the competition and apply HERE.

Julie Wallace Award

The Julie Wallace Award application portal is open. 

Find out more about the award HERE.

Student Bursaries 2025

The Nutrition Society Irish Section is offering five undergraduate student bursaries, each worth €300, to support attendance at the 2025 Nutrition Society Irish Section meeting. The bursary is intended to help cover the cost of conference registration and travel expenses. Funds will be provided directly to the selected students to assist with their participation. Many thanks to safefood, NutriPD and Nutritics for supporting these student bursaries. Please click HERE to apply 

Eligibility Criteria:

  1. Enrolment Status – Must be a registered student in an undergraduate or taught masters programme in a relevant field (e.g., nutrition, dietetics, food science, public health or related disciplines).
  2. Conference Participation – Must be attending the Nutrition Society Irish Section meeting in June 2025, either as a presenter or participant.
  3. Financial Need – Preference may be given to students who demonstrate financial need.

 

Selection Criteria:

  1. Motivation & Relevance (60%)
    • A short personal statement (200-300 words) explaining:
      • Why they want to attend the conference
      • How they plan to apply the knowledge gained
         
  2. Presentation/Research Contribution (40%)(if applicable)
    • Priority given to students who have submitted an abstract to the conference

Application process: 

  • Application via the Nutrition Society portal
  • Applications will be reviewed by conference local organisers
  • Deadline for applications is 30th April 2025
  • Successful recipients will be notified by 14th May 2025