HEA Conference Highlights Irish Leadership in International Health Promoting Campuses Movement

Posted: 22 April, 2026

The Higher Education Authority (HEA) today hosted the third HEA Health and Wellbeing Conference, ‘Global Perspectives, Irish leadership: Transforming Healthy Campus Policy’ in The Law Society of Ireland, Dublin. The conference builds on the momentum of Ireland’s global success following the launch of the Limerick Framework for Action in 2025 and further emphasises government commitment to this important agenda, following the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science’s announcement of an additional €1m for student mental health and wellbeing supports in 2026.

At the event, the HEA also launched a report, ‘Enhancing Student Engagement and Belonging through Collaborative Partnership’, which was developed by a team of researchers at UCD led by Professor Barbara Dooley and funded by the Department of Health. The report’s findings provide valuable insights and recommendations for institutions to further support their work on student belonging.

Highlighting the importance of health and wellbeing as a key contributor to student success in higher education, Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science, James Lawless TD said:

“Education offers a powerful opportunity to shape the future of young people. Today’s conference shines an important spotlight on Ireland’s national higher education policy on health and wellbeing, positioning it within a global context. I am committed to building a higher education system that not only supports academic achievement but also enables students to reach their potential at every stage of their journey.”

Higher Education Authority CEO, Dr Alan Wall added:

“Building on Ireland’s global leadership across the international health promoting campus movement, the HEA is proud to host the third national health and wellbeing conference. The event reaffirms the HEA’s continued commitment to advancing this agenda and fostering a system that supports student success.” 

The event brought together key stakeholders from across the higher education sector, as well as organisations working to progress national health and wellbeing policy. Keynote speakers at the conference included Deputy Chief Medical Officer, Professor Philip Dodd and Professor Vicki Squires, University of Saskatchewan, and Dr Jennifer Thannhauser, University of Calgary.

As part of the conference, 37 Healthy Campus Case Studies were showcased. Submitted by staff and students across institutions, themes included mental health, wellbeing and the curriculum, belonging, participation in physical activity, period dignity, wellbeing policies and more.

Presentations on the day focused on the future of the Limerick Framework for Action, student belonging, commuter students, the commercial determinants of health and WHO’s One Health approach. A set of lightning talks highlighting best practice from across the sector also formed part of the programme.