Alcohol Research Network (ACORN) UK/ROI

Network Aim: To generate, and build capacity for, interdisciplinary research into the development, adoption, implementation and evaluation of alcohol policy innovation in ROI and the UK.

The ROI and the four UK nations face common cultural, social, political and economic challenges in reducing harms related to alcohol consumption. Alcohol is a leading cause of mortality and morbidity, resulting in disability and death at a younger age than many other ‘lifestyle’ factors, and giving rise to interpersonal, social and economic problems. The reduction of alcohol-related harm is best achieved by policies to control the key drivers of price, availability and marketing. However, tensions between health, economic, social and cultural interests leads to the design, enactment and implementation of such policies being highly contested. Recent alcohol policy developments have given rise to a unique and timely opportunity to develop this proposed network. with the following objectives:

A. To develop partnerships between UK and ROI social science and interdisciplinary researchers interested in the study of alcohol policy

B. To identify common research priorities for researchers and other policy stakeholders and promote the sharing of research ideas and methodologies amongst network members

C. To build capacity for and interest in multi- and interdisciplinary alcohol policy research amongst early career, mid-career and senior researchers, particularly in ROI and NI.

D. To facilitate the establishment of smaller interdisciplinary UK/ROI research teams and progress alcohol policy research proposals ready for future funding calls.