Nutrition Society Irish Section Annual Meeting 2025

Promoting optimal nutrition for people and planet

11th - 13th June 2025 | TU Dublin Grangegorman Campus

Nutrition Society Logo

About The Conference

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.

11th - 13th June 2025 TU Dublin, Grangegorman

11

Expert Speakers

4

Post-Graduate Presentations

1

Julie Wallace Award

71

Accepted Abstracts

18

Oral Presentations

5

Poster Sessions

11

Sponsors

TBC

Attendees

CONFERENCE PROGRAMME

Explore the three-day programme focusing on optimal nutrition across the lifecycle, sustainable strategies, and policy paths to nutritional equity.

08:30 | Registration

  • Location: Central Quad Foyer

09:15 | Welcome and Introduction

Dr Liz O'Sullivan, Technological Univeristy Dublin, Ireland

Dr Eileen O'Brien, Technological Univeristy Dublin, Ireland

  • Location: Intel Auditorium

09:30 | Symposium One: Nutrition and Health Through the Life Course

  • Location: Intel Auditorium

09:30 | Professor Colette Kelly, University of Galway, Ireland

Topic: Nutrition and food behaviours of children and adolescents

  • Location: Intel Auditorium

10:10 | Professor Hilde K Brekke, University of Oslo, Norway

Topic: The effect of lactation and weight change on risk factors for cardiovascular disease among overweight postpartum women.

  • Location: Intel Auditorium

10:50 | Refreshment Break

  • Location: Central Quad Foyer

11:10 | Professor Konstantinos Gerasimidis, University of Glasgow, UK

Topic: Gut microbiota and its interaction with diet in the onset, propagation and management of non-communicable diseases.

  • Location: Intel Auditorium

11:50 | Dr Aifric O'Sullivan, University College Dublin, Ireland

Topic: Personalising the Path to Sustainable Diets: Supporting Behaviour Change Across the Life Course Associate

  • Location: Intel Auditorium

12:30 | Lunch Break

  • Location: Central Quad Foyer

12:45 | Lunchtime session for early career members

  • Location: CQ009
  • The Early Career Section are excited to host a Networking Event for Early Career Members, providing a valuable opportunity to connect, share experiences and expand professional networks. 

    At this lunchtime session, you will have the opportunity to: 
    - Hear what the Early Career Section has to offer 
    - Discuss early career opportunities and challenges with fellow members
    -  Discover invaluable early career resources 
    - Share feedback on what you would like to see from the Early Career Section going forward

13:30 | Original Communication Session One

  • Location: OC01 – OC08, Intel Auditorium , OC09 – OC21, CQ007 ,OC22 – OC39, CQ008

15:30 | Refreshment Break

  • Location: Central Quad Foyer

16:00 | Original Communication Session Two

  • Location: OC31 – OC34, Intel Auditorium, OC40 – OC47, CQ008

17:00 | Closing Remarks

18:30 | Summer BBQ and Networking

  • Location: Harbourmaster Bar & Restaurant Customs House Dock (See Social Events)

09:00 | Postgraduate Symposium

  • Location: Intel Auditorium

09:00 | Ms Rachel Nolan, Ulster University, UK

Weight gain during pregnancy: an update on current challenges and practical considerations

09:25 | Ms Clodagh Scannell, University College Cork, Ireland

Appetite for change - The urgent need to revisit malnutrition screening in oncology

09:50 | Mr Umair Shabbir, Ulster University, UK

B vitamins, immune function and the ageing brain: A critical review of the evidence, mechanisms and potential role of the gut microbiome

10:15 | Ms Ciara O’Sullivan, Munster Technological University, Ireland

The Role of Digital Nutrition Interventions for Individuals with Severe Mental Illness: Insights, Challenges and Future Directions

10:40 | Refreshment Break

  • Location: Central Quad Foyer

11:00 | The Julie Wallace Medal Lecture: Nutrition in Cancer Survivorship – Bridging the Evidence-Practice Gap

Speaker: Dr Laura Keaver, Atlantic Technological University, Ireland: .

  • Location: Intel Auditorium

11:45 | Original Communication Session One

  • OC48 – OC53, Intel Auditorium, OC54 – OC62, CQ007, OC63 – OC71, CQ008

13:15 | Lunch Break

  • Location: Central Quad Foyer

13:30 | Annual Section Meeting

  • Location: Intel Auditorium

14:20 | Symposium Two: Sustainable strategies for optimal nutrition

  • Location: Intel Auditorium

14:20 | Professor Jeffrey Brunstrom, University of Bristol, UK

Topic: Are we missing opportunities to promote healthy and sustainable meals?

  • Location: Intel Auditorium

15:00 | Dr Nicholas Nisbett, University of Sussex, UK

Topic: Using mixed methods research to understand food environments in Sri Lanka and Tanzania

  • Location: Intel Auditorium

15:40 | Refreshment Break

  • Location: Central Quad Foyer

16:00 | Dr Iben Lykke Petersen, University of Copenhagen, Denmark

Topic: Processing Plant Proteins for Food: Navigating the Balance between Nutrition and Sustainability Associate

  • Location: Intel Auditorium

16:40 | Professor Peter Weijs, Amsterdam University of Applied Sciences, Netherlands

Topic: Findings of trial titled “Environmentally Sustainable Nutrition for Older Adults With Obesity”.

  • Location: Intel Auditorium (TBC)

17:20 | Closing Remarks

  • Location: Intel Auditorium

19:30 | Conference Dinner

  • Location: Harbourmaster Bar and Restaurant Customs House Dock (See Social Events)

09:15 | Welcome and refreshments

  • Location: Central Quad Foyer

09:30 | Symposium Three: Sustainable solutions: Charting policy paths to nutritional equity

  • Location: Intel Auditorium

09:30 | Dr Clare Pettinger, University of Plymouth, UK

Topic: Collaborating with ‘blue food’ system stakeholders to achieve optimal nutritional health and wellbeing in less affluent communities

  • Location: Intel Auditorium

10:10 | Professor Nina Cecilie Øverby, University of Agder, Norway

Topic: Effectiveness of a web-based dietary intervention program targeting young adults prior to parenthood: lessons learned from a randomized controlled trial.

  • Location: Intel Auditorium

11:50 | Dr Aileen Kennedy, Technological University Dublin, Ireland

Topic: Developing an infant and young child feeding in emergencies preparedness plan for the island of Ireland: a consensus study.

  • Location: Intel Auditorium

11:30 | Close of Conference

Conference Speakers

Meet our expert speakers who will share insights on nutrition, health, sustainability, and policy.

Professor Colette Kelly

University of Galway, Ireland

 

Professor Hilde Brekke

University of Oslo, Norway

 

Professor Konstantinos Gerasimidis

University of Glasgow, UK

Dr Aifric O'Sullivan

University College Dublin, Ireland

Professor Jeffrey Brunstrom

University of Bristol, UK

Dr Nicholas Nisbett

University of Sussex, UK

Dr Iben Lykke Petersen

University of Copenhagen, Denmark

Professor Peter Weijs

Amsterdam University of Applied Sciences, Netherlands

Dr Clare Pettinger

University of Plymouth, UK

Professor Nina Cecilie Øverby

University of Agder, Norway

Dr Aileen Kennedy

Technological University Dublin, Ireland

Venue: TU Dublin Grangegorman

The conference will be held at the state-of-the-art Central Quad building on TU Dublin's Grangegorman campus.

View Venue Map
01

Central Quad

The primary location for registration, symposiums, breaks, and poster sessions.

02

Session Rooms

Main sessions in the Intel Auditorium. Poster and Oral communications in CQ007, CQ008, CQ009 .

03

Foyer Area

Used for registration, tea/coffee breaks, and exhibitor stands.

04

Lunch Location

Lunch will be served in Central Quad Foyer area. Some seating will be available in the Foyer, with more seating available on the benches outside the Central Quad and in Rathdown House canteen

 

05

Amenities

Toilets, water fountains (bring your bottle!), recycling bins, and exits are clearly marked on the venue map.

06

Accessibility

The venue is fully accessible. Please contact us if you have specific requirements.

Getting Here

Plan your journey to the TU Dublin Grangegorman Campus.

  • Cycling

    Cycle parking is available on campus. Plan your route using the link below.

    View Cycling Routes
  • Train

    Heuston Station: TU Dublin Grangegorman is a 25-min walk, or Luas (Red Line to Smithfield + walk remainder).

    Connolly Station: TU Dublin Grangegorman is a 40-min walk, or take the Luas (Green line to Broadstone or Grangegorman and walk remainder)

  • Parking

    Limited parking is available. Please check the TU Dublin website for details and locations.

    View Parking Information

Food & Refreshments

Details of the catering provided during the conference. Options may vary daily.

01

Morning Break

Location: Central Quad Foyer

  • Self-serve Seasonal Fresh Fruit bowls.
  • Greek Yoghurt and Mint bowls.
  • Mini Pastries.
  • Handmade Lemon & Poppyseed Shortbread.
  • Organic Coffee and Breakfast Tea.
  • Carafes of Water with Fresh Mint & Lemon.

Please bring your reusable coffee cup and water bottle to help us reduce waste.

02

Lunch

Location: Central Quad Foyer

  • Sandwhiches and salad selection
  • Tea and coffee

 

03

Afternoon Break

Location: Central Quad Foyer

  • Dark Chocolate & Oat Biscuits.
  • Nutty Vegan Flapjack.
  • Fresh Fruit Pieces.
  • Organic Coffee and Breakfast Tea.
  • Carafes of Water with Fresh Mint & Lemon.

Please bring your reusable coffee cup and water bottle to help us reduce waste.

Social Events

Wednesday 11th June

Summer BBQ and Networking

The Harbourmaster

Take the Luas Green Line from Grangegorman (Broadstone - TU Dublin stop) towards Bridse Glen and alight at Connolly, then a short walk to The Harbourmaster.

Thursday 12th June

Gala Dinner

The Harbourmaster

Take the Luas Green Line from Grangegorman (Broadstone - TU Dublin stop) towards Broombridge and alight at Connolly, then a short walk to The Harbourmaster.

Sustainability Commitment

We are committed to reducing the environmental impact of this conference. Here are some initiatives:

  • Reducing Single-Use Plastic: We encourage delegates to bring their own reusable water bottles and coffee cups. Water stations are available throughout the venue (see Venue Map). Using your own cup at tea/coffee breaks helps reduce waste significantly.
  • Sustainable Transport: We encourage delegates to use public transport, cycle, or walk to the venue where possible. Please see the Getting Here section for options.
  • Reducing Paper Wastage: The conference programme and abstract book will be available digitally to avoid unnecessary printing. Please refer to the programme on this website and the Digital Abstract Book (Link TBC).
  • Recycling: Please use the designated recycling bins available throughout the venue. Check the Venue Map for locations.

Event Sponsors

Visit Fresenius Kabi at their exhibitor stand in the Central Quad Foyer

Sponsor 1

We gratefully acknowledge the support of the following organisations for student bursaries

Sponsor 2
Sponsor 3
Sponsor 2

Morning and afternoon refreshment breaks have been generously supported by TU Dublin

Sponsor 2
Sponsor 3

We appreciate the valuable contributions from the following TU Dublin departments

Sponsor 2
Sponsor 3
Sponsor 3

Abstract Book & Search

Click on the button below to read/download a PDF copy of the Abstract booklet.

View Abstract Book

Click on the button below to read/download a PDF copy of the conference programme.

View Conference Programme