Dr James Nicholls

Senior Lecturer in Public Health

Health Sciences Stirling Stirling

Dr James Nicholls

Contact details

About me

I specialise in alcohol and drug policy, treatment provision, harm reduction and advocacy. I am particularly interested in mechanisms of policy change and how implementation shapes outcomes. I also have an interest in regulation, especially comparing the impact of licensing regimes on consumption and harm.

I have recently led projects including an independent statutory review of the alcohol licensing system in Northern Ireland, and a needs assessment for a safer drug consumption facility in Edinburgh.

I have a background researching the history of drinking cultures and alcohol policy, for which I have received Research Fellowships from the Arts and Humanities Research Council and the British Academy.

In 2015, I became Director of Research and Policy at Alcohol Research UK where I oversaw a national grants programme supporting alcohol research across the UK. I advised the Home Office and DHSC on alcohol policy; was a member of the Public Health England Alcohol Leadership Board and Expert Group on treatment; Chair of the PHE National Alcohol Licensing and Public Health Forum; and Secretary of the All Party Parliamentary Group on Alcohol Harm.

More recently, I was Chief Executive Officer at Transform Drug Policy Foundation where I worked with national and international partners to advocate for public health-led drug policy. I worked closely with partners at the United Nations, where Transform held Special Consultative Status, and with MPs, MSPs, service providers and academic researchers as well as families directly impacted by drug-related harms.

I have served as a trustee Cranstoun and Adfam National. I am an Associate Member of the Faculty of Public Health and sit on their Drug Policy Special Interest Group.