Edinburgh Napier University is committed to advancing global health through research, education, and collaboration. To achieve this, we use interdisciplinary approaches to raise vaccine awareness, promote public health engagement and address health inequities worldwide.

By combining expertise in immunology / science; behavioural psychology; design thinking; education; and community engagement, we have developed innovative approaches to address vaccine hesitancy and empower individuals to make informed health decisions, locally and internationally.

Problem:

Human papillomavirus (HPV) is a common virus that infects four out of five people during their lifetime, and some HPV types can lead to the development of cancer. Vaccination against HPV is the most effective way to protect against HPV infection, but vaccine uptake could be better. In some communities in Ireland and Scotland, HPV vaccination rates are significantly lower than national averages, leading to health inequalities and barriers for the World Health Organisation’s target of eliminating cervical cancer by 2030.

Solution:

Funded by Science Foundation Ireland, Edinburgh Napier University has partnered with the Irish Cancer Society and Maynooth University to design an innovative, interdisciplinary project focused on empowering young people to engage in discussion and decisions around their health. Through creative, interactive workshops, the initiative encourages peer-led discussions and collaborative learning, enabling young people to take ownership of their understanding of HPV and vaccination. By addressing vaccine hesitancy, the project aims to raise vaccination awareness and support global cancer prevention efforts. 

Empowering HPV vaccine choices, through enhanced engagement & education 

Human papillomavirus (HPV) causes around 4.5% of all cancers worldwide - with about 630,000 new cases every year. The HPV vaccine is a proven way to prevent these cancers, but uptake rates have fallen globally since the Covid pandemic, and some communities in Scotland and Ireland remain harder to reach.

Collaborating across disciplines to strengthen learning & maximise impact 

Researchers at Edinburgh Napier University, in partnership with Maynooth University and the Irish Cancer Society, are working to improve communication and engagement for vulnerable and hard-to-reach groups.

Instead of 'one-size-fits-all' messaging, the team uses their expertise to respond to vaccine hesitancy and create tailored, evidence-based approaches. Interactive workshops encourage young people to explore, question, and learn together - building confidence and informed decision-making. The team is now working in partnership with NHS Lothian and NHS Borders and have developed HPV workshops, linked to the S1 Scottish curriculum, to respond to a drop in HPV vaccination uptake.

Educating today, to empower informed health choices tomorrow

Beyond numbers, this collaborative work equips young people with knowledge and skills that will shape their future health decisions and strengthen scientific literacy. The goal is to scale this model across Ireland, Scotland and Europe, supporting the World Health Organisation’s target of eliminating cervical cancer by 2030.

This research is part of Edinburgh Napier’s mission to tackle real-world health challenges and prevent future cancer cases - helping shape inclusive, effective public health strategies.