A learning initiative to debunk myths around sexual health in teenagers has won the Education Innovation Award at the 2025 RCSI University of Medicine and Health Sciences International Education Forum.

The award was presented to Dr Zara Molphy who presented the initiative on behalf of colleagues at RCSI's Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology who deliver the programme.

Debunking the Myths: The Science of Our Sexual Health, was established to improve Irish teenagers' sexual health literacy, tackling stigma surrounding sexual health, and counteracting online misinformation. The programme has reached 17,708 students in 26 counties through a multifaceted approach including expert-led workshops, curated educational resources, and targeted social media campaigns to both educate and actively combat misinformation that threatens to mislead and endanger young Irish teens.

Debunking the Myths stands out as the only health education programme in Ireland that directly connects teenagers with a multidisciplinary team of medical experts, offering credible evidence-based knowledge. It has been recognised by Research Ireland, HSE Sexual Health Programme and the Department of Health as educational leaders in the field of sexual health.

Accessibility and engagement are central to the programme’s impact with a significant focus on co-design with participants. Its hybrid delivery model, combining in-person and virtual workshops, allows the the multidisciplinary RCSI team, including colleagues in the Department of International Health and Tropical Medicine and Department of Health Psychology, to connect with diverse student audiences around the country. Interactive activities and open discussion formats foster curiosity and empower students to ask questions in a non-judgmental environment, making the learning experience both inclusive and engaging.

Professor Jan Illing, Director of the Health Professions Education Centre at RCSI said: “I am delighted to announce Dr Zara Molphy and her colleagues at RCSI's Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology as the winner of the 2025 RCSI Education Innovation Award. It is deserving recognition for their pioneering effort in addressing critical sexual health literacy gaps and for making a transformative contribution to Irish education and public health.

“I wish to acknowledge each of the shortlisted projects for their exceptional display of innovation and creativity in health professions education.”

The Education Innovation Award was presented during the 14th RCSI International Education Forum (IEF), under the theme Innovating for a Healthier Future.

Professor Tracy Robson, Deputy Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs, said: “Since its inception in 2012, the IEF has been a cornerstone event for the RCSI international community, fostering discussions on education innovations, sharing successes and addressing challenges. The Education Innovation Award finalists exemplify the ingenuity and creativity of our educators and I was greatly impressed by the innovative teaching and learning initiatives presented at this year’s awards”

Finalists

RCSI Education Innovation Award highly commended finalists were:

• “I’ve taken a leap closer to becoming a doctor”: developing students’ professional identity through sequential simulation – Mr Eric Clarke who presented on behalf of Dr Claire Mulhall and colleagues from RCSI SIM
• Game-based learning in Chinese pharmacy student’s education – Dr Aisling Heeran, Professor Biran Kirby and Professor Caoimhe Clerkin, RCSI School of Pharmacy and Biomolecular Sciences and International College of Pharmaceutical Innovation

Shortlisted finalists

The shortlisted finalists included:

• ‘Pathologies Through Time’ in Student Choice: Interdisciplinary Learning in the Medical Humanities – Jessica Handy and Dr Ronan Kelly, RCSI Library Heritage Collections
• Simulation vs Traditional Training in Abdominal Wall Closure: Assessing Predictive Validity and Competency Outcomes in Junior Surgical Trainees – Mr Mohammed Al Azzani who presented on behalf of Adam Roche, RCSI SIM and Professor Arnold Hill, Department of Surgery and School of Medicine
• Implementation of a reflection group in a clinical educational setting – Dr Caragh Behan and Dr Sahar Riaz, Department of Psychiatry at RCSI
• Exploring the Impact and Validity of Artificial Intelligence for the Development of Pharmacy Simulation Exercises – Tara Hayden, Sheenagh McCarthy, Louise Enright and Dr Shane Cullinan, RCSI School of Pharmacy and Biomolecular Sciences
• PROfessionalism in Partnership with Education Research (PROPER) study – Dr Asil Sadeq and Professor Denis Harkin and colleagues at the Centre for Professionalism in Medicine and Health Sciences at RCSI
• Escape to Learn – Dr Alessandra Biagini, Department of Paediatrics at RCSI