EAT-HE Project Wins 2026 John Coolahan Award
The research project earns recognition for cross-border cooperation in Home Economics teacher education.
Updated on Oct. 27, 2026 in Healthy Food
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In 2026, the EAT-HE research project received the John Coolahan Award for its study on Home Economics teaching across the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland. The project was honored for its commitment to cross-border collaboration in the field of teacher education.
Why it matters
The award highlights the importance of international cooperation in identifying shared challenges within educational curricula. It validates research efforts that connect teaching practices across distinct regions to address common pedagogical hurdles.
The EAT-HE study was supported by the SCoTENS Seed Funding Scheme and analyzed the curricula between the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland. The project successfully facilitated knowledge exchange among Home Economics teachers across the border.
The players
Standing Conference on Teacher Education North and South
This organization presents the John Coolahan Award to recognize excellence in cross-border educational research.
EAT-HE
This is a research project focused on examining and improving Home Economics teaching practices through cross-border collaboration.
The details
The research identified significant obstacles for educators, including limited classroom time for practical instruction and a noticeable decline in basic cooking and life skills among young students. Furthermore, the study noted that food poverty directly impacts the selection of ingredients used in classroom lessons.
Timeline
The EAT-HE project received the John Coolahan Award in 2026.
Culture Shift
The project follows a pattern set by the SCoTENS Seed Funding Scheme to foster integrated academic research across border lines. This shift highlights a growing movement toward shared educational resources in a globalized teaching environment.
For teachers, this research offers a framework for overcoming resource limitations and addressing student skill gaps in the kitchen. Families may see the findings reflected in future curriculum updates that prioritize practical life skills and ingredient accessibility.
The takeaway
This award reinforces the value of collaborative research in solving shared educational challenges. Educators can improve student outcomes by adopting strategies that specifically address resource constraints and food access issues.
Further reading
Learn more about nutritional literacy and instructional trends in our Healthy Food section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Atlantic Technological University.
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