NIHR Policy Research Unit in Addictions

Addictive products, behaviours and systems

NIHR Policy Research Units (PRUs) undertake research to inform government and arms-length bodies making policy decisions about health and social care. The units create a critical mass of experts for research in priority areas for health and social care policy.

The NIHR PRU in Addictions is one of 20 new PRUs across England which were awarded over £100 million in total and commenced 1^st January 2024.

The NIHR PRU in Addictions will work with the Department of Health & Social Care and other stakeholders, including professionals and people with lived and living experience of addictive behaviours. It will support identification, analysis, implementation, evaluation and adaptation of policies across the spectrum of prevention, treatment, harm reduction and recovery. There are five main themes:

tobacco/nicotine
alcohol
illicit & other drugs
gambling
public and patient involvement and engagement

In addition to Professor McNeill, Professor Holmes & Dr Brose, the Addiction Management Team also includes:

Jo Neale, PPIE Lead, Professor of Addictions Qualitative Research, King’s College London
John Strang, Drugs Lead, Professor of Addiction Psychiatry, King’s College London
Heather Wardle, Gambling Lead, Professor of Gambling Research and Policy, Glasgow University
Rhys Mason-Dunn, Project Manager

Other Co-Investigators:

Dr Angela Attwood, Associate Prof. of Psychological Science, Bristol University
Alan Brennan, Prof. of Health Economics & Decision Modelling, University of Sheffield
Jamie Brown, Prof. of Behavioural Science, University College London
Niamh Fitzgerald, Prof. of Alcohol Policy, University of Stirling
Dr Tom Freeman, Director of the Addiction & Mental Health Group, University of Bath
Paul Lennon, Public Co-Applicant.
Mel McManus, Public Co-Applicant
Gerda Reith, Prof. of Social Sciences, Glasgow University
Kat Petrilli, Research Assistant

Administrative staff:

Rhian Jones, King’s College London
Anne Greaves, University of Sheffield

This Policy Research Unit is funded by the NIHR. The views expressed are those of the author(s) and not necessarily those of the NIHR or the Department of Health and Social Care.

The NIHR funds, enables and delivers world-leading health and social care research that improves people’s health and wellbeing and promotes economic growth.