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
Registration
Welcome and Introduction
Symposium One: Nutrition and Health Through the Life Course
Nutrition and food behaviours of children and adolescents
Professor Colette Kelly, University of Galway, Ireland
The effect of lactation and weight change on risk factors for cardiovascular disease among overweight postpartum women
Professor Hilde Brekke, University of Oslo, Norway
Refreshment Break
Gut microbiota and its interaction with diet in the onset, propagation and management of non-communicable diseases
Professor Konstantinos Gerasimidis, University of Glasgow, UK
Delivering sustainable improvements in micronutrient status
Dr Aifric O’Sullivan, University College Dublin, Ireland
Lunch Break
Original Communication Session One
Refreshment Break
Original Communication Session Two
Summer BBQ and Networking
Day Two
Postgraduate Symposium
Postgraduate Speaker
TBC
Postgraduate Speaker
TBC
Postgraduate Speaker
TBC
Postgraduate Speaker
TBC
Refreshment Break
The Julie Wallace Medal Lecture
Julie Wallace Lecture
To be awarded
Original Communication Session One
Lunch Break
Annual Section Meeting
Symposium Two: Sustainable strategies for optimal nutrition
Manipulating menus: how small dietary modifications can change the carbon footprint of the foods we eat to improve population health
Professor Jeffrey Brunstrom, University of Bristol, UK
Update on the ‘Fruits and Vegetables for Sustainable Healthy Diets’ Initiative (FRESH) study
Dr Nicholas Nisbett, University of Sussex, UK
Refreshment Break
Beyond sustainability: a holistic approach to evaluate the nutritional quality of plant protein-based foods
Dr Iben Lykke Petersen, University of Copenhagen, Denmark
Findings of trial titled “Environmentally Sustainable Nutrition for Older Adults With Obesity”
Professor Peter Weijs, Amsterdam University of Applied Sciences, Netherlands
Conference Dinner
Harbourmaster Bar and Restaurant
Day Three
Symposium Three: Sustainable solutions: Charting policy paths to nutritional equity
Addressing optimal nutritional health and well-being with enhanced environmental sustainability for disadvantaged communities
Dr Clare Pettinger, University of Plymouth, UK
Effectiveness of a web-based dietary intervention program targeting young adults prior to parenthood: lessons learned from a randomized controlled trial
Professor Nina Cecilie Øverby, University of Agder, Norway
Refreshment Break
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
Close of Conference
Venue Address
The conference is an in-person event.
Conference venue:
Technological University Dublin
Central Quad, Grangegorman
D07 H6K8
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
Member - To benefit from the membership rate, please log in to your membership area before completing the registration.
Student/LIC/Unwaged Member - To benefit from the membership rate, please log in to your membership area before completing the registration.
Non - member fee
Summer Networking and BBQ - Please click HERE to order your tickets
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:
- 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).
- Conference Participation – Must be attending the Nutrition Society Irish Section meeting in June 2025, either as a presenter or participant.
- Financial Need – Preference may be given to students who demonstrate financial need.
Selection Criteria:
- 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
- A short personal statement (200-300 words) explaining:
- 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