National engagement
RCSI MyHealth
In 2024/25, RCSI MyHealth continued its mission to deliver reliable, accessible and trustworthy health information to the public. Panels of RCSI researchers and international health experts addressed common healthcare concerns, sharing their insights and personal experiences to support individuals in managing their own well-being. Episodes were available online in both video and podcast form.
This year saw the reintroduction of in-person MyHealth events for the first time since the COVID-19 pandemic. The series’ videos were viewed 19,993 times and the podcast episodes were downloaded 3,222 times, bringing the total audience to 277,220 since the series was launched in 2016.
RCSI MyHealth was developed in direct response to public feedback and concerns, aiming to demystify the most prevalent health issues affecting people today. In 2024/25, the series opened with discussions on dementia, chronic pain and an in-person event on coping strategies for living with cancer. As it continued into 2025, the progamme included an in-person event on the effects of cannabis on youth mental health, diabetes and sleep health.
RCSI Expert Directory
The RCSI Expert Directory is a resource for journalists that brings together details of RCSI experts, across a range of healthcare issues and concerns, in an online listing. Over 60 contacts are now included in the Directory divided into their specialties.
In support of the UN SDG to promote good health and well-being, these academics, clinicians and researchers are willing to engage with the media in their area of expertise so they can empower people with information that leads them to better health.
RCSI was mentioned in 2,296 media articles and segments in Ireland in 2024, driven by the contributions of these expert spokespeople.
A new public engagement space
This year saw continued progress in the development of RCSI’s new public engagement space, a first of its kind gallery space dedicated to health and well-being, at 118 St Stephen’s Green in Dublin city centre and a cornerstone of RCSI’s €95 million campus transformation. The gallery will be a free exhibition space and café in the heart of RCSI, exploring healthy futures for all. Through a rolling programme of exhibitions, events and online activities, it will be a place for everyone to join conversations about living longer, healthier and happier lives. A feasibility study confirmed the public appetite for trusted health information and endorsed RCSI’s role in this regard. Building on the success of the RCSI MyHealth series, RCSI’s aim is to bridge the gap between health sciences research, professional expertise and public understanding, empowering people to make informed decisions about their health.
In September 2024, we were delighted to announce Blackrock Health as the gallery’s lead partner. With the support of Blackrock Health, our academics, scientists and clinicians will pioneer new forms of health-related public engagement, encouraging individuals and communities to lead healthier lives.
Dr Alison Boyle was announced as Gallery Director in January 2025, bringing with her two decades of international experience, including the Science Museum UK and Research Ireland. She is responsible for driving the vision and potential for the gallery, through curated programme development and overseeing a small team that is being recruited from summer 2025. The gallery underscores RCSI’s commitment to delivering on the third UN Sustainable Development Goal, to ensure healthy living and promote well-being for all ages.
A new, fresh and engaging name and brand identity for the space, that also builds on RCSI’s long history and scholarship, is at the advanced stages of development. Curation of exhibitions is in progress, with the first full exhibition scheduled for Spring 2026.
Transition Year MiniHealthSciences Programme
RCSI welcomed over 250 Transition Year (TY) students from across Ireland to take part in the annual RCSI MiniHealthSciences Programme.
The event offered secondary school students a unique opportunity to get hands-on experience in various healthcare professions. A further 3,100 students took part in the programme online, attending lectures, interactive workshops and live-streamed surgeries.
The programme featured a diverse range of sessions, including insights into a patient’s journey, an introduction to forensic pathology, sports medicine, an overview of plastic and reconstructive surgery and medical technology. Students also received valuable guidance on looking after their own mental and physical health.
For the first time, this year’s TY programme included dentistry, giving participants a preview of what is to come in September 2025, when the first cohort of undergraduate students begin their studies at RCSI’s new School of Dentistry.
The RCSI MiniPharm and MiniPhysio online programmes also ran during the week, giving students the chance to explore careers in pharmacy, physiotherapy and the pharmaceutical industry.
The annual Waterford RCSI TY MiniMed programme at the RCSI Education Facility, University Hospital Waterford and South East Technological University (SETU) welcomed more than 120 students from schools in the South Eastern Region.
