Dr Hilda Mulrooney
Faculties, departments and locations
- Faculty of Health, Science, Social Care and Education
- Department of Applied and Human Sciences
- School of Life Sciences, Pharmacy and Chemistry
- Penrhyn Road
Visiting Senior Fellow
- Email:
- [email protected]
About
I am a registered dietitian and nutritionist. I studied in my native Ireland, completing a BSc (Hons) in Nutrition and a Diploma in Dietetics. I followed this by completing a PhD at Southampton University. I have previously worked as a dietitian in the NHS in hospitals, the community and most recently as a public health dietitian. I am interested in public health, the role of diet in health and disease, and the role of healthcare practitioners in supporting change in others. My current research focuses on community food and growing initiatives and their impact on community resilience, sense of belonging, nutrition and health and wellbeing. I am an active member of my professional organisation the British Dietetic Association, and a committee member of their specialist Obesity Group, having held a number of committee positions within the group. I am also an active committee member of the European Specialist Dietitians Network (Obesity). I am a Fitness to Practice Panel member for the HCPC, and External Examiner at a number of higher education institutions. I am also a peer reviewer for a number of academic journals.
While at Kingston University I was Course Leader for the BSc Nutrition (Exercise & Health) and Module Leader for the final year Public Health Nutrition module.
Qualifications
- PhD
- BSc (Hons) Nutrition
- Dip Diet
- PGCE
- SFHEA
Domains
Course director
I have developed a number of research interests over the years both within nutrition and teaching/education. I am interested in the different approaches to weight management taken across Europe, the health implications of different types of diets and in aspects of weight management including which prediction equations should be used for measuring obesity. I am also interested in food choices, why people eat what they do and the impact of the food environment on food choices. Much of my recent research has explored different community food initiatives such as food banks, social supermarkets and recipe box schemes. I have evaluated several, co-developing the data-gathering tools with the organisers to ensure that the research benefits those operating such schemes. Major aspects of interest for me are the impact of these schemes on nutrition, mental and physical health and wellbeing, and sense of community and belonging. More recently, this has expanded into also exploring community growing, in particular food growing and how this may be integrated within wider strategies for health and wellbeing as well as sustainability. I am currently also working on a number of projects specifically focused on community resilience.
Within pedagogy, my interests are evolving but include motivation to learn, perceptions of quality of higher education and transition to higher education. I have explored aspects of belonging among university staff and students in a range of projects. I have used food as a mechanism for doing do. This included the impact of recipe sharing on belonging, and what food-related images suggest about food values.
Publications
Perspectives on the use of a nutritious child-friendly meal recipe kit in neurodivergent families
Back, Elisa, Sumpter, Sarah, Mulrooney, Hilda and Ranta, Ronald, 2026, Research in Neurodiversity (2), E-pub ahead of print
Promoting change through empathy and design thinking: reimagining a first-year bioscience curriculum
Page, Nigel, Mulrooney, Hilda and Shearman, Gemma, 2025, Educational Developments (26)pp 13-17, Published
Tracking the shift from health to harm: development and validation of a short screening tool for orthorexia nervosa
Mitrofanova, Elina, Mulrooney, Hilda, Pummell, Elizabeth and Petroczi, Andrea, 2025, Appetite (214), Published
Impact of a recipe kit scheme (BRITE Box) on cooking and food-related behaviours of children and families: exploring parental/carer views
Mulrooney, Hilda, Sumpter, Sarah, Dawson, Rutt, Dawson, Nick, Nancheva, Nevena, Ranta, Ronald and Bhakta, Dee, 2025, Journal of Human Nutrition and Dietetics (JHND) (38), 2, Published
Contradictions, dilemmas, views and motivations of volunteers in two community food support schemes in two London boroughs.
Mulrooney, Hilda and Ranta, Ronald, 2024, Journal of Poverty and Social Justice, E-pub ahead of print
Access, dignity, and choice: social supermarkets and the end of the food bank model in the UK?
Lake, Stef, Ranta, Ronald, Nancheva, Nevena, Mulrooney, Hilda and Bhakta, Dee, 2024, Food, Culture & Society, E-pub ahead of print
Building community and offering food support to university students: the KingsGate student pantry
Sumpter, S., Clay, S., Harper, P., Schwikkard, S. and Mulrooney, H., 2024, Proceedings of the Nutrition Society (83), OCE4, Published
Volunteers in food support work: their views and why they matter
Mulrooney, Hilda and Ranta, Ronald, 2023, Food & Work Network Blog, Published
How should I talk to people living with obesity about their health?
Mulrooney, Hilda, 2023, Emergency Nurse, E-pub ahead of print
Build students' sense of belonging to build graduate skills
Mulrooney, Hilda, 2023, Campus, E-pub ahead of print
Introduction to the special edition
Lipsedge, Karen and Mulrooney, Hilda, 2023, Journal of Learning Development in Higher Education, 26, Published
European Association for the Study of Obesity (EASO) position statement on medical nutrition therapy for the management of overweight and obesity in adults developed in collaboration with the European Federation of the Associations of Dietitians (EFAD)
Dicker, Dror, Halford, Jason, Woodward, Euan, Douglas, Pauline, Brown, Jennifer, Brown, Tamara, Hassapidou, Maria, Vlassopoulos, Antonis, Kalliostra, Marianna, Govers, Elisabeth, Mulrooney, Hilda, Ells, Louisa, Ramos Salas, Ximena, Muscogiuri, Giovanna, Handjieva-Darlenska, Teodora, Busetto, Luca and Yumuk, Volkan Demirhan, 2023, Obesity Facts (16), 1pp 11-28, Published
Food insecurity among students: why does it matter and how should universities address it?
Ravel, K., Jayaram, R. and Mulrooney, H.M., 2023, Compass: Journal of Learning and Teaching (16), 2pp 14-20, Published
Using food-related images to enhance belonging in university staff and students
Mulrooney, Hilda and Wojadzis, Olga, 2023, New Directions in the Teaching of Natural Sciences (18), 1, Published
Supporting patients living with obesity in general practice
Mulrooney, Hilda, 2022, Practice Nursing (33), 12pp 508-514, Published
Understanding obesity and addressing stigma: the role of healthcare professionals
Mulrooney, Hilda, 2022, Nursing Standard (37), 12, Published
European Association for the Study of Obesity (EASO) position statement on medical nutrition therapy for the management of overweight and obesity in children and adolescents developed in collaboration with the European Federation of the Associations of Dietitians (EFAD)
Mulrooney, Hilda, Androutsos, Odysseas, Vlassopoulos, Antonis, Rito, Ana, Farpour, Nathalie, Brown, Tamara, Douglas, Pauline, Ramos Salas, Ximena, Woodward, Euan, Collins, Clare, Hassapidou, Maria, Duncanson, Kerith, Shrewsbury, Vanessa and Ells, Louisa, 2022, Obesity Facts, E-pub ahead of print
Change and innovation in food aid provision in Sussex and Southwest London during the Covid-19 pandemic
Ranta, Ronald, Mulrooney, Hilda and Bhakta, Dee, 2022, British Food Journal, E-pub ahead of print
Covid-19 and its impact on students' perception of their roles as Student Ambassadors and/or Course Representatives
Mulrooney, Hilda, Denison, Hannah, Wood, Phoebe, Kelly, Alison and Lipsedge, Karen, 2022, Student Engagement in Higher Education Journal (4), 2pp 182-205, Published
Rethinking food banks: how crises are recasting food aid in the UK
Mulrooney, Hilda, Nancheva, Nevena, Bhakta, Dee and Ranta, Ronald, 2022, News & Opinion, Published
CPD: Key questions on overweight and obesity in children
Mulrooney, Hilda, 2022, Pulse, Published
Food for thought: a pilot study exploring the use of cultural recipe and story sharing to enhance belonging at university
Mulrooney, Hilda, 2021, Practitioner Research in Higher Education (14), 1pp 60-71, Published
Dietetic management of obesity in Europe: gaps in current practice
Vlassopoulos, Antonis, Govers, Elisabeth, Mulrooney, Hilda, Androutsos, Odysseas and Hassapidou, Maria, 2021, European Journal of Clinical Nutrition (75)pp 1155-1158, Published
Using behavioural reasoning theory to explore reasons for dietary restriction: a qualitative study of orthorexic behavioural tendencies in the UK
Mitrofanova, Elina, Pummell, Elizabeth K.L., Mulrooney, Hilda M. and Petróczi, Andrea, 2021, Frontiers in Psychology (12), Published
Assessing psychological and nutritional impact of suspected orthorexia nervosa: a cross-sectional pilot study
Mitrofanova, E., Mulrooney, H. and Petróczi, A., 2021, Journal of Human Nutrition and Dietetics (34), 1pp 42-53, Published
Effects of orthodox religious fasting versus combined energy and time restricted eating on body weight, lipid concentrations and glycaemic profile
Karras, Spyridon N., Koufakis, Theocharis, Adamidou, Lilian, Antonopoulou, Vasiliki, Karalazou, Paraskevi, Thisiadou, Katerina, Mitrofanova, Elina, Mulrooney, Hilda, Petróczi, Andrea, Zebekakis, Pantelis, Makedou, Kali and Kotsa, Kalliopi, 2021, International Journal of Food Sciences and Nutrition (72), 1pp 82-92, Published
Belonging, the physical space of the university campus and how it is perceived by students: a quantitative analysis among a diverse student group
Mulrooney, Hilda Mary and Kelly, Alison Faith, 2021, Journal of Learning Spaces (10), 2, Published
Exploring university sustainability practices during a Covid-19 summer
Chevallereau, Lisa and Mulrooney, Hilda, 2021, Student Engagement in Higher Education Journal (4), 1, Published
Pandemics, food (in)security, and leaving the EU: what does the Covid-19 pandemic tell us about food insecurity and Brexit
Ranta, Ronald and Mulrooney, Hilda, 2021, Social Sciences and Humanities Open (3), 1, Published
Staff and student perspectives of online teaching and learning: implications for belonging and engagement at university : a qualitative exploration
Costea, Adrian-Mihai, Kelly, Alison Faith, Major, Krisztina, Mulrooney, Hilda Mary, Abu, Lija and Chipfuwamiti, Craig, 2021, Compass: Journal of Learning and Teaching (14), 3, Published
Student belonging: the impact of disability status within and between academic institutions
Mulrooney, Hilda M., Barnes, Rebecca and Kelly, Alison F., 2021, New Directions in the Teaching of Physical Sciences (16), 1, Published
Covid 19 and the move to online teaching: impact on perceptions of belonging in staff and students in a UK widening participation university
Mulrooney, Hilda Mary and Kelly, Alison Faith, 2020, Journal of Applied Learning and Teaching (3), 2, Published
A systematic review and quantitative analysis of resting energy expenditure prediction equations in healthy overweight and obese children and adolescents
Chima, L., Mulrooney, H. M., Warren, J. and Madden, A. M., 2020, Journal of Human Nutrition and Dietetics (33), 3pp 373-385, Published
The university campus and a sense of belonging: what do students think?
Mulrooney, Hilda M. and Kelly, Alison F., 2020, New Directions in the Teaching of Physical Sciences (15), 1, Published
Transition to higher education: prospective and retrospective student experiences
Piper, Ian, Kelly, Alison and Mulrooney, Hilda, 2020, New Directions in the Teaching of Physical Sciences (15), 1, Published
Obesity - learning from the crisis in people
Mulrooney, Hilda, 2019, Veterinary Record (185), 11pp 349-349, Published
Framing obesity: disease status, language and stigma
Mulrooney, Hilda, 2019, Practice Nursing (30), 9pp 448-451, Published
Public health approaches to tackling obesity in the UK
Mulrooney, Hilda, 2019, Practice Nursing (30), 6pp 294-298, Published
Christian Orthodox fasting in practice: a comparative evaluation between Greek Orthodox general population fasters and Athonian monks
Karras, Spyridon N., Koufakis, Theocharis, Petróczi, Andrea, Folkerts, Dirk, Kypraiou, Maria, Mulrooney, Hilda, Naughton, Declan P., Persynaki, Angeliki, Zebekakis, Pantelis, Skoutas, Dimitrios and Kotsa, Kalliopi, 2019, Nutrition (59)pp 69-76, Published
Active learning across disciplines: opportunities to develop employability skills and leadership potential in undergraduate students. A student and staff perspective
Kelly, Alison Faith, Bell, J, Dicker, R, Garcia, M, Kelly, E, Streich, R and Mulrooney, Hilda, 2019, New Directions in the Teaching of Physical Sciences (14), 1, Published
Exploring self-assessments in university undergraduate students: how accurate are they?
Mulrooney, Hilda Mary, 2019, New Directions in the Teaching of Physical Sciences (14), 1, Published
Student perceptions of belonging at university: a qualitative perspective
Kelly, Alison Faith and Mulrooney, Hilda Mary, 2019, New Directions in the Teaching of Physical Sciences (14), 1, Published
What does 'quality' in higher education mean? Perceptions of staff, students and employers
Dicker, R, Garcia, M, Kelly, A and Mulrooney, H, 2019, Studies in Higher Education (44), 8pp 1425-1441, Published
Experience and expectations of transition to higher education: a qualitative exploration
Goldring, Tia, Harper, Emma, Jassal, Ricky, Joseph, Lorrianne, Kelly, Alison, Mulrooney, Hilda, Piper, Ian and Walker, Hayden, 2018, New Directions in the Teaching of Physical Sciences (13), 1, Published
Health benefits and consequences of the Eastern Orthodox fasting in monks of Mount Athos: a cross-sectional study
Karras, S. N., Persynaki, A., Petróczi, A., Barkans, E., Mulrooney, H., Kypraiou, M., Tzotzas, T., Tziomalos, K., Kotsa, K., Tsioudas, A. A., Pichard, C. and Naughton, D. P., 2017, European Journal of Clinical Nutrition (71), 6pp 743-749, Published
Exploring participation in co-curricular activities among undergraduate students
Mulrooney, HM, 2017, New Directions in the Teaching of Physical Sciences (12), 1, Published
Exploring student perceptions of health and infection: an interactive staff and student partnership scheme
Mulrooney, Hilda M, Streich, Ricarda, Abdul Yekeen, Abdul Fatah, Bell, Jake, Boorman, Alex, Hancock, Chris and Kelly, Alison, 2017, New Directions in the Teaching of Physical Sciences (12), 1, Published
Public health teaching in practice, peer learning and partnership working: the Cook School project
Al-Saedi, Amani, Bell, Jake, Boorman, Alex, Cameron, Ellie, Castleman, Zoe, Flanagan, Chamos, Fraser, Cristine, Pearson, Jessica, Philp, Alison, Robinson, Kirsty, Silva, Flavio, Taki, Amina, Tubeileh, Dareen, Vosters, Robyn and Mulrooney, Hilda Mary, 2017, New Directions in the Teaching of Physical Sciences (12), 1, Published
Student perceptions of quality in higher education: effect of year of study, gender and ethnicity
Garcia, M, Kelly, A, Modabber, P, O'Farrell, A, Pond, A, Pond, N, Mulrooney, HM and Dicker, R, 2017, New Directions in the Teaching of Physical Sciences (12), 1, Published
Estimation of energy expenditure using prediction equations in overweight and obese adults: a systematic review
Madden, A. M., Mulrooney, H. M. and Shah, S., 2016, Journal of Human Nutrition and Dietetics (29), 4pp 458-476, Published
Does the food retail environment reflect UK public health recommendations for healthy eating?
Mulrooney, HM and Bell, J, 2016, Public Health (134)pp 114-116, Published
Nutrition Tea Club: engaging students in reading scientific papers
Cameron, E., Hamdi, R., Idowu, A. and Mulrooney, H., 2016, New Directions in the Teaching of Physical Sciences (11), 1, Published
Perspectives on motivation and engagement in an extracurricular project
Bell, J. and Mulrooney, H.M., 2016, New Directions in the Teaching of Physical Sciences (11), 1, Published
Weight management and learning disabilities
Mulrooney, Hilda, 2014, Practice Nursing (25), 2pp 81-86, Published
The effect of weight on mental health
Mulrooney, Hilda, 2013, Practice Nursing (23), 7pp 339-343, Published
Cultural food stories and food images: using food to enhance belonging at the university
Mulrooney, Hilda (2024). In: Spaeth, Elliott, (eds.), York, U.K.:pp 59-62 [Published]
Obesity
Mulrooney, Hilda (2020). In: Webster-Gandy, Joan, Madden, Angela, Holdsworth, Michelle, (eds.), Oxford, U.K.:pp 469-492 [Published]
Perspectives on the use of a nutritious child-friendly meal recipe kit in neurodivergent families
Back, Elisa, Sumpter, Sarah, Mulrooney, Hilda and Ranta, Ronald(2025). [Published]
Medical Nutrition Therapy obesity guidelines updated: what do European dietitians think about their implementation?
Mulrooney, Hilda(2023). [Published]
Enhancing student awareness of the UN Sustainable Goals with an EDI lens
Thatti, Baljit, Fonseca, Tania and Mulrooney, Hilda(2023). [Published]
Moving away from food banks - social supermarkets as an innovation offering consumer choice & potential dietary diversity
Mulrooney, H., Bhakta, D., Lake, S., Nancheva, N. and Ranta, R.(2023). [Published]
Assessment of energy and nutrient content of a recipe food box for schoolchildren "Nutrition in a BRITE Box"
Bhakta, D., Mulrooney, H., Sattaoui, I., Illingworth, S., Ranta, R., Nancheva, N., Dawson, R. and Dawson, N.(2023). [Published]
Food insecurity in students ; harnessing community and university resources to address it
Mulrooney, H., Bhakta, D., Aghili, A., Illingworth, S., Nancheva, N. and Ranta, R.(2023). [Published]
Using a design thinking approach to re-imagine provision of large first-year bioscience modules
Mulrooney, Hilda, Shearman, Gemma and Page, Nigel(2023). [Published]
A collaborative School and LTEC 'design thinking‘ approach to support staff and students in re-imagining learning
Page, Nigel, Mulrooney, Hilda, Shearman, Gemma, Wason, Hilary, Yilmaz, Aybige and O'Keefe, Nicola(2023). [Published]
Exploring transformative learning and teaching to enhance awareness of the UN Sustainable Goals with an EDI lens
Thatti, Baljit, Dias Almeida Fonseca, Tania and Mulrooney, Hilda(2023). [Published]
What do food image choices tell us about food values?
Mulrooney, Hilda(2023). [Published]
Using a design thinking approach to support staff and students in re-imagining provision of large first-year bioscience modules
Page, Nigel, Shearman, Gemma, Wason, Hilary and Mulrooney, Hilda(2023). [Published]
A glimpse in translating MNT guidelines into practice: results from pilot studies
Mulrooney, Hilda(2023). [Published]
Using food to embed student belonging from the beginning
Mulrooney, Hilda(2023). [Published]
Exploring student and staff expectations and experiences of university life.
Mulrooney, Hilda and Kelly, Alison(2022). [Published]
Food asset mapping to enhance belonging in university staff and students
Mulrooney, Hilda and Wojadzis, Olga(2022). [Published]
Promoting a feedback dialogue with students: implementation and impact
Barra, Pedro, Chal├®, Angela and Mulrooney, Hilda(2022). [Published]
Feedback soup - implementation and impact
Mulrooney, Hilda, Barra, Pedro and Chale, Angela(2022). [Published]
Chicken soup for the soul: promoting well-being and belonging through food and cultural competence skills
Lipsedge, Karen and Mulrooney, Hilda(2022). [Published]
Enhancing belonging in higher education through food: the cultural food stories initiative
Mulrooney, Hilda(2022). [Published]
How to implement the dietary guidelines into patient care
Mulrooney, H(2022). [Accepted/In press]
You are what you eat: food culture & enhancing belonging and engagement in HE
Mulrooney, Hilda and Lipsedge, Karen(2022). [Published]
Impact of the Covid-19 pandemic on food aid: a qualitative exploration
Mulrooney, H., Bhakta, D. and Ranta, R.(2021). [Published]
Innovation and change in the provision of emergency food aid during the pandemic
Mulrooney, H, Bhakta, D and Ranta, R(2021). [Published]
Exploring belonging in an online world: perspectives of staff and students
Abu, Lija, Chipfuwamiti, Craig, Costea, Adrian, Kelly, Alison, Major, Krisztina and Mulrooney, Hilda(2021). [Published]
A sustainability snapshot within a large post-92 university from different perspectives
Mulrooney, Hilda and Chevallereau, Lisa(2021). [Published]
The value of the Personal Tutor Scheme (PTS) as a mechanism of supporting belonging in an online world
Paliokosta, Paty, Lipsedge, Karen, Bailey, Joanna, Topcu, Mel, Cunningham, Matthew, Barker, Christopher, Calabrese, Gianpiero, Mulrooney, Hilda, Groves, Konami, Davies, Rachel and Burden, Penny(2021). [Published]
Using food to encourage a sense of belonging at university: the Cultural Food Stories project
Sow, Fatmata, Jackson, Maya India, Mulrooney, Hilda, Lola, Mau, Ndenzi, Ashley Nabukenya and Nnadozie, Chidera(2021). [Published]
The value of the Personal Tutor Scheme (PTS) as a mechanism of supporting belonging in an online world
Bailey, Joanna, Topcu, Mel, Cunningham, Matthew, Barker, Christopher, Calabrese, Gianpiero, Paliokosta, Paty, Lipsedge, Karen, Mulrooney, Hilda, Groves, Konami, Davies, Rachel and Burden, Penny(2021). [Published]
Childhood obesity: what should we do about it and why?
Mulrooney, Hilda(2021). [Published]
'Let‘s work together': exploring students' perception of their roles as Student Ambassadors and/or Course Representatives, in light of the COVID-19 pandemic
Lipsedge, Karen, Kelly, Alison and Mulrooney, Hilda(2021). [Published]
Thinking about what is gained: encouraging self-reflection, skills and attribute acquisition in students
Mulrooney, Hilda and Kelly, Alison(2020). [Published]
Public health approaches to weight management in the UK: current and future directions
Mulrooney, Hilda(2019). [Published]
Exploring self-assessment in university students
Mulrooney, Hilda(2019). [Published]
Interdisciplinary approaches to learning and teaching in STEM are necessary to develop the graduate attributes required by students, employers and society
Mulrooney, Hilda and Kelly, Alison(2019). [Published]
Exploring 'belonging' at university from the student perspective: what is it and how can we facilitate it?
Dimitrova, Daniela, Kelly, Alison, Mazahr, Mehvish, Milwood, Nadine, Prass, Jeremy and Mulrooney, Hilda(2019). [Published]
Dietetic management interventions in adults: evidence and application
Mulrooney, Hilda(2019). [Published]
Exploring the expectations and experiences of Level 3 students
Mulrooney, Hilda, Kelly, Alison, Piper, Ian, Goldring, Tia, Harper, Emma, Walker, Hayden, Jassal, Ricky and Joseph, Lorrianne(2018). [Published]
Exploring perceptions of quality in higher education from the perspectives of staff, students & employees
Mulrooney, Hilda, Kelly, Alison, Pond, Nicole, Pond, Adam, Garcia, Mikey, Dicker, Rachel and Modabber, Parisa(2017). [Published]
Cross-disciplinary approaches to active learning from the staff and student perspective
Kelly, Alison, Mulrooney, Hilda, Pond, Nicole, Pond, Adam, Garcia, Mikey, Dicker, Rachel, O'Farrell, Alex and Modabber, Parisa(2017). [Published]
Exploring motivation, benefits and barriers to engagement in co-curricular activities: the undergraduate student perspective
Mulrooney, Hilda(2017). [Published]
Estimation of energy expenditure using predication equations in overweight and obese adults: two systematic reviews
Madden, Angela M., Mulrooney, Hilda M. and Shah, Selina(2016). [Published]
Nutrition Tea Club: engaging students in reading scientific papers
Mulrooney, Hilda, Hamdi, Rania, Idowu, Aisha and Cameron, Ellie(2016). [Published]
Exploring undergraduate student perceptions of health and infection: an interdisciplinary experiential staff-student project
Kelly, Alison, Mulrooney, Hilda, Bell, Jake, Boorman, Alex, Yekeen, Abdul, Fatah, Abdul, Streich, Ricarda, Hancock, Christopher John and Kelly, Emily(2016). [Published]
Intrinsic motivation to engage with an extracurricular staff: student nutrition project; the learnings from both perspectives, and their potential application
Bell, Jake and Mulrooney, Hilda(2016). [Published]
Estimating total and resting energy requirements in obesity: latest evidence
Mulrooney, Hilda(2015). [Published]
Co-curricular health promotion activities in nutrition: student and staff perspective
Barra, Pedro, Mulrooney, Hilda and Opara, Elizabeth(2015). [Published]