From Research to Impact: Eileen Gibney’s Vision as New HDHL Chair
On 28 May 2025, the new Chairs of Healthy Diet, Healthy Life (HDHL) were appointed. Eileen Gibney will collaborate in her role as Chair with Vice-Chair Edith Feskens. In this interview, Eileen shares her vision on societal challenges in food systems, how the perspective on academic research is changing, and the future of sustainable food systems.
Bringing experience and inspiration to a shared vision
With a lot of experience studying nutrition and working with European-funded projects, Eileen is a perfect fit for the role as Chair of HDHL. Inspired by the people she has met throughout her career, Eileen is excited to start this new opportunity. In this role, she aims to contribute to a strong evidence-based approach to nutritional advice through collaboration.
“The shared vision across countries in Europe to a common goal really resonates with me”, Eileen says. “I feel the collective and common view to improve our food systems, and population health is important. Through initiatives like HDHL this is fostered and nurtured, in what seems an increasingly fragmented society.”
About Eileen Gibney
Professor of Nutrition Eileen Gibney is the Director of the Institute of Food and Health, at University College Dublin (UCD). Her career started with a Bachelor of Science in Human Nutrition at Ulster University. After graduating, she completed a PhD at the University of Cambridge, working at the MRC Dunn Nutrition Unit.
Completing postdoctoral positions at both University of Newcastle, and Trinity College Dublin, Eileen took up an academic position in UCD to establish nutrition as a core academic field in the University.
During her academic career, she has worked on many national project. She has also been involved in large European projects including Food4me, FNS-Cloud, and PLAN’EAT. She was also part of the HDHL project MaNuEL. Eileen is currently co-leading the Co-Centre for Sustainable Food Systems.
Ensuring evidence shapes tomorrow’s food policies
Society has increasing access to data and information. There is a shift away from reliance on information coming from credible sources towards advice and information given by those with a specific agenda. HDHL Chair Eileen shares her perspective on this shift.
“Having a credible voice in food and health research is becoming more and more important”, Eileen explains. “As researchers it is more important now that we make sure our research, and the impact it can have, is articulated and shared. HDHL is in a unique position to expand the evidence base and share knowledge between a diverse group of funders, policy makers and researchers.”
Rebuilding trust in nutrition science through evidence
According to Eileen, the current mistrust in our food and the wider food system is undermining the credibility of nutritional science, food science and many other disciplines. “Central to this is the current narrative around food processing and health. It is important that any advice we provide to consumers is underpinned by strong and robust evidence. To truly understand if there’s a link between food processing and health, we need carefully conducted mechanistic studies, human studies, and additional, more nuanced epidemiological studies.”
I believe we will build and grow HDHL to be a strong collaborative voice and active group in the future of food and health in Europe.
She advocates for a strong evidence-based approach to the provision of nutritional advice. This is essential for public health nutrition and maintaining this is important. “I’d love HDHL to play a role in this, and to bring people together to solve this problem.”
Sustainable food systems must not forget nutrition and health
“In the coming 5 to 10 years, we are going to see major societal challenges in food systems. As we address the need to feed our growing global society, we need to consider sustainability, food security, trade and consumer trust in food systems. But what cannot be forgotten within these challenges is the link between food and health. As we change and innovate to meet these demands, we need to ensure that we deliver a food system that is nutritious, safe and accessible for all.”
A flying start: From vision to action in her first months as Chair
Eileen is honoured to be appointed Chair alongside Edith Feskens. “Together, I believe we will not just continue the work of HDHL, but build and grow HDHL, to be a strong collaborative voice and active group in the future of food and health in Europe.”
She has hit the ground running — chairing her first Management Board meeting in May, authoring a reflection paper on the EU’s new vision for agriculture and food, and securing and preparing to chair an HDHL symposium at the IUNS-ICN conference this August in Paris. It’s a start that reflects her energy, commitment, and vision for the future of HDHL.