The American University of Florence (AUF) is partnering with Fairfield University to host a health and nutrition conference in Florence on January 14 and 15, 2027.

The conference, open but not limited to Nursing, Public Health, Social Work, Psychology and Medical scholars, will be interdisciplinary in nature.

It will focus on the social, cultural, clinical and ethical dimensions of health and nutrition and feature speakers from the international community.

The topics covered will include nutritional interventions in chronic disease management, food access and food deserts, ethics and justice in food systems, the intersection of mental health and nutrition, the impact of social connection and community on health outcomes and more. 

“We need to be reminded of the significance of social inclusion as a means to enrich our health and wellness, because as individuals, we are social beings,” says AUF Conference Coordinator, Sofia Galli. “That contributes great lengths to our health and wellness. Therefore, the social component shouldn't be decentered in the equation.”

Anyone can apply to speak at the conference, including AUF and Fairfield University graduates and PhD students. Additionally, AUF's sister school, Florence University of the Arts (FUA) partners with health professionals and scholars from Misericordia Fiorentina, Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria Careggi and Hospital of Santa Maria Nuova – all of which will be invited to play a role within the conference. 

The conference signals a continuation of the ongoing relationship between Fairfield University and AUF, which is in its third year of welcoming sophomore Nursing students from Fairfield for clinical placements in local hospitals.

Further details regarding the conference will be released soon across all AUF platforms.