By Editorial Staff
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鈥檚 Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology who deliver the programme.
鈥楧ebunking the Myths: The Science of Our Sexual Health鈥, was established to improve Irish teenagers鈥 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.
鈥楧ebunking the Myths鈥 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 an educational leader in the field of sexual health.
Accessibility and engagement are central to the programme鈥檚 impact with a significant focus on co-design with participants.
Its hybrid delivery model, combining in-person and virtual workshops, allows 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.
Prof Jan Illing, director of the Health Professions Education Centre at RCSI said: 鈥淚 am delighted to announce Dr Zara Molphy and her colleagues at RCSI鈥檚 Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology as the winner of the 2025 RCSI Education Innovation Award.
鈥淚t 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.
鈥淚 wish to acknowledge each of the shortlisted projects for their exceptional display of innovation and creativity in health professions education.鈥
The Education Innovation Award was presented during the fourteenth RCSI International Education Forum (IEF), under the theme 鈥業nnovating for a Healthier Future鈥.
Prof Tracy Robson, deputy vice chancellor for academic affairs, said: 鈥淪ince 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鈥檚 awards.鈥