In a major advancement for the Healthy Campus movement, a new online programme titled Supporting a Whole Campus Approach to a Health Promoting University has been launched, marking a significant milestone in the promotion of health and well-being across Irish higher education institutions. This initiative, led by a consortium of national universities and coordinated by the Higher Education Authority (HEA), aims to equip campuses with the knowledge and tools needed to support health at personal, population, and planetary levels.
The programme is the result of a collaborative effort within the national Healthy Campus network, spearheaded by Caroline Mahon. Institutions including University of Limerick (UL), University College Dublin (UCD), University College Cork (UCC), Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland (RCSI), Atlantic Technological University (ATU), Technological University Dublin (TUD), and Trinity College Dublin (TCD) participated in designing the course, with TCD coordinating. The consortium’s proposal was awarded €50,000 by the HEA and the National Forum for the Enhancement of Teaching and Learning in January 2024.
The programme, a facilitated six-week online course, launched in September, has its inaugural run during the autumn semester. It offers a blend of independent learning, live sessions, peer activities, and case studies of successful Healthy Campus initiatives. Participants who complete the programme will earn a digital badge from the National Forum for the Enhancement of Teaching and Learning, certifying their expertise in fostering health-promoting campuses.
UL is playing a pivotal role in shaping the programme’s content. In Week 3, titled What Are Our Common Needs and What Makes Our Campus Unique, Associate Professor and Registered Dietitian Catherine Norton leads a session that emphasizes the importance of context and settings in designing health initiatives. The session highlights the balance between common goals, such as supporting personal, population, and planetary health, and the need for tailored approaches to address each campus’s unique challenges. Practical resources and insights are provided to assist participants in overcoming common obstacles faced by Healthy Campus initiatives.
UL’s leadership extends further into the programme, with the UL Food Philosophy showcased in Week 2. This segment features a video illustrating the university’s collaborative efforts with stakeholders on and off-campus to promote accessible, affordable, inclusive, and sustainable food options. This initiative reflects UL’s commitment to fostering a campus environment that supports holistic health and well-being.
The programme’s inaugural run has attracted 73 participants, including international registrants, underscoring the growing global interest in health-promoting campuses. In addition to the core six-week course, participants have the option of enrolling in an additional three-week module to achieve facilitator status, enabling them to guide similar initiatives in their own institutions.
This project represents a significant step forward for the Healthy Campus movement in Ireland, drawing on the expertise of institutions and individuals who are leading the charge in promoting health and well-being across educational settings. The inclusion of international participants promises a rich exchange of ideas and practices, fostering a collective commitment to advancing health for people, places, and the planet.
For more information on Healthy UL visit https://www.ul.ie/healthy-ul and https://hea.ie/policy/health-and-wellbeing-landing-page/healthy-campus-landing-page/healthy-campus-charter-and-framework/ . To view the UL Food Philosophy video, visit UL Food Philosophy Video.
With appreciation and thanks for the expert input from Andrea Deverell (Centre for Sustainable Futures and Innovations , UL), John O’Rourke (COO, Plassey Campus Centre Group, UL), Ronan Cahill (President, Students Union, UL) and Catherine Norton (Assoc Prof Sport & Exercise Nutrition, Deputy Co-lead Healthy UL) and all other contributors and stakeholders.
What next: In June 2025, the University of Limerick will host the International Health Promoting Campuses (IHPC) Conference, highlighting UL’s leadership in health promotion. This global event will bring together experts and policymakers to explore strategies for healthier campus environments. Aligned with Healthy UL programme and UL’s role in shaping national health initiatives, the conference will showcase UL’s commitment to well-being and sustainability. Hosting the IHPC Conference provides UL with a platform to foster international collaboration and drive meaningful, lasting change in health promotion across educational institutions worldwide. Further information available here: https://www.2025ihpc.com/ or from the conference general chair catherine.norton@ul.ie
Dr. Catherine Norton is a registered dietitian, accredited performance nutritionist, and associate professor in sport and exercise nutrition. Catherine is also deputy co- chair of the Healthy UL Steering Group and is championing accessible, affordable, delicious and nutritious foods for all at UL.
Contact: catherine.norton@ul.ie. Follow on X: @NortonNutrition ORCID , Linked-In
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