In 2025, Ulster University marks 50 years of nursing education, research, and innovation. From its beginnings in Coleraine in 1975, nursing at Ulster has evolved and expanded – reaching campuses in Jordanstown, Magee (now Derry~Londonderry), and most recently Belfast, where a state-of-the-art campus opened in 2020.
To celebrate this significant milestone, the School of Nursing and Paramedic Science hosted a commemorative anniversary conference on Friday, 18 July, at the Belfast campus. Themed ‘Pushing the Boundaries of Nurse Education and Research: The Past, the Present and the Future’, the event brought together students, alumni, healthcare professionals, and academic leaders to reflect on five decades of transformational impact – and look ahead to the future of nursing on the island of Ireland and beyond.
Ulster has long been at the forefront of nursing innovation – in teaching, research, and clinical practice. Pioneering contributions over the past 50 years include:
- Professor Jenny Boore, whose evidence-based redesign of the nursing uniform led to the now-standard trousers and tunics, replacing the traditional dress and hat.
- Mr. Pat Deeny, who established a world-first MSc in Disaster Relief Nursing.
- Professors Tanya McCance and Brendan McCormack, who introduced the influential Person-Centred Nursing Framework (2010) and Person-Centred Practice Framework (2017), embedding these into Ulster’s curriculum and shaping international approaches through the Person-Centred Curriculum Framework (Cook et al., 2022).
The conference featured inspiring keynote addresses from two esteemed academic leaders. Professor Assumpta Ryan reflected on the evolution of research with family carers and older people, while Professor Hugh McKenna explored the future of nursing in the age of artificial intelligence – addressing both the challenges and the immense potential of AI in healthcare.
Breakout sessions and interactive workshops highlighted how Ulster continues to push boundaries. Topics included:
- Innovative interventions for chronic and long-term conditions
- Advances in cancer and palliative care
- Public health strategies to shift population health outcomes
- Strategic leadership, healthful workplace culture, virtual reality in education, and the use of simulation-based tools like the Glasgow Coma Scale
Delegates also engaged with voices from the Department of Health, Royal College of Nursing, Health and Social Care Northern Ireland, and the NI Ambulance Service, discussing the future of workforce retention and how to support and sustain newly qualified nurses across the island.
Reflections from the Conference
Professor Carol Curran, Pro Vice-Chancellor and Executive Dean, described the 50th Anniversary Conference as both a moment of reflection and a celebration of impact.
“It was a powerful reminder of the influence Ulster University and its students, staff, alumni, and partners have had – and continue to have – across nurse education and research,” she said. “From our keynote speakers to the many engaging sessions, the event showcased the innovation, leadership and collaborative spirit that have defined the School over five decades.”
She also extended thanks to Balmoral Healthcare for their generous sponsorship, which helped bring the milestone event to life.
Head of School, Andrea Shepherd, echoed these sentiments:
“The conference marked a significant moment in our journey – celebrating the progress we’ve made while also looking to the future. It brought together past and present colleagues, and highlighted the School’s ongoing commitment to pushing boundaries in education, research and practice.”
Keynote speaker Professor Assumpta Ryan reflected on her long-standing connection to the School, describing the event as “the highlight of my working life,” and shared her current work supporting older people and carers through high-quality research:
“It is a huge honour and a privilege to be asked to deliver a Keynote Speech at such a milestone in the history of nursing at Ulster University.”
Professor Hugh McKenna underscored the School’s track record in developing global leaders in nursing. He said:
“The School of Nursing (and Paramedic Science) at Ulster University has produced internationally recognised scholars that have taken up top positions in education, practice and research. They were educated in an environment where knowledge was generated, challenged, tested and taught.”
Alumnus Gary Rutherford of ARC Fitness spoke of the enduring impact of nursing on community well-being, calling it “an immense honour” to contribute to the celebration of a profession that remains the heartbeat of compassionate care.
Kieran McCormick, Registered Nurse and Managing Director of Balmoral Healthcare, reaffirmed the company’s commitment to high nursing standards and person-centred care. “We are honoured to support the School’s 50th Anniversary celebrations, and to recognise the vital role Ulster plays in shaping the future of healthcare in Northern Ireland and beyond.”
Ulster University’s 50-year journey in nursing is one of resilience, transformation, and leadership – and as this anniversary conference demonstrated, the future holds even more promise.
