Melissa Oldham

Is the Great British Pub on the verge of extinction? The truth behind the headlines - Institute of Alcohol Studies Media headlines often suggest that British pubs are in terminal decline. But is that true?

👀 🍺 👇🏻 👍🏻

www.ias.org.uk/2026/02/10/i...

Aww lovely poster Pom, huge fan of the interactive part!

New research shows that spending less on tobacco, gambling and sweets is good for the UK economy - Sheffield Addictions Research Group A new study from the Sheffield Addictions Research Group (SARG) has found that public health policies which reduce spending on harmful products can actually provide a significant boost to UK jobs and ...

📣New research from Sheffield Addictions Research Group (SARG)shows that reducing spending on tobacco, gambling & confectionery would boost the economy by keeping ££ in the UK.

#HealthEqualsWealth

👀⬇️
sarg-sheffield.ac.uk/news-media/n...

should Young People drink more? Fear in the age of abstinence

Should young people be drinking more?



Scott Galloway thinks so, booze providing a route to the connectivity current generations supposedly lack.


I dug into it w/experts like @melissaoldham.bsky.social @fmeasham.bsky.social and @michaelkill.bsky.social

whatareyouon.substack.com/p/should-you...

Faith Uwadiae, Ecosystems Manager at Wellcome, says: "We're supporting Black-led initiatives that expand opportunities for Black researchers in an intentional and thoughtful way."

Many Black-led initiatives in the UK that support the careers of Black researchers provide mentoring, safe spaces, networks and advocacy.

But they're often underfunded.

That's why we’re launching a new funding programme in partnership with Do it Now Now to help strengthen these initiatives. [1/3]

Well lucky for you that's NEXT WEEK!

Aah congrats @ppermanhowe.bsky.social!

“These findings provide clear evidence that data collected on MTurk simply cannot be trusted.”

New paper led by @jamesmorris24.bsky.social focused on othering in relation to alcohol consumption. This meta-synthesis seeks to characterise the ‘problematic other’ people use to justify, normalize or protect their own ‘non-problematic’ drinking identity.

www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10....

OF COURSE drink driving laws need to be updated in England and Wales We are using antiquated regulations, and are out of step with much of the rest of the world

Great stuff here from @soozaphone.bsky.social about the flimsiness of arguments being trotted out today against lowering the drink drive limit in England & Wales
open.substack.com/pub/suzigage...

I might be one of the cynics complaining about enforcement though...

Are there differences in gradual versus abrupt smoking cessation quit attempts and success by social grade? A population study in England Smoking rates remain higher among individuals from less advantaged social grades, who tend to be less successful when they try to quit. Abrupt quittin…

Check out a new publication that TARG member @clairevgarnett.bsky.social contributed to, led by @sharoncox.bsky.social on exploring differences in gradual versus abrupt smoking cessation quit attempts and success by social grade: www.sciencedirect.com/science/arti...

If you are applying for a PhD studentship or fellowship through the SSA, watch our webinars on 'How to get shortlisted': www.youtube.com/@Societyfort... | Featuring @robcalder.bsky.social @melissaoldham.bsky.social @ptoner.bsky.social

Feelings of Guilt and Remorse After Alcohol Consumption Among People Who Drink at Increasing and Higher-Risk Levels

@sharoncox.bsky.social, @melissaoldham.bsky.social, @tattanbirch.bsky.social, ... @clairevgarnett.bsky.social, @drsarahejackson.bsky.social

doi.org/10.1111/dar....

Another new @addictionjournal.bsky.social paper out today looking at trends in alcohol consumption in England and trying to answer the important question as to whether this has returned to pre-pandemic levels after rising during the first lockdown.

onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/...

The SSA is now accepting applications for full-time PhD studentships. Funding will include a stipend (living allowance), tuition fees, and research and training costs. Find out how to apply: tinyurl.com/y3n5dvk2

It can be tempting to keep trying but sometimes you are better just finishing early and take some time to rest. Take the weekend, go for a walk in nature or do something you really enjoy. Eat nice food! Relax and look after yourself, you are not a machine. Hopefully you will feel better next week.

Today is our annual PhD Symposium – a welcoming space for early career researchers to share work. Thanks to organisers @melissaoldham.bsky.social, @sophieorton.bsky.social, Tsen Vei Lim, and Elle Wadsworth. Read more about the Early Career Research Network: www.addiction-ssa.org/early-career...

Robert this has both cracked me up (particularly "structurally, this is a latte") and radicalised me. As a flat white drinker, I feel your pain. Vive la révolution!

How to get shortlisted for a fellowship This webinar will guide you through the process of developing a strong fellowship application.

On 31st October (11am) we will hold a seminar focused on fellowships.

Again @robcalder.bsky.social will introduce the scheme, a successful applicant (me!) and @ptoner.bsky.social a very experienced short lister will also present.

Sign up here: www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/how-to-get...

How to get shortlisted for a PhD studentship This webinar will guide you through the process of developing a strong PhD studentship application.

The first session on 28th October (10am) will focus on PhD studentships.

It will contain talks from @robcalder.bsky.social introducing the scheme, Hollie Walker a successful applicant and Inge Kersbergen an experienced short lister.

Sign up here: www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/how-to-get...

The @addiction-ssa.org will soon begin advertising new PhD and Fellowship opportunities. The SSA’s Early Career Research Network has organised two webinars to support and provide tips for potential applicants...
www.addiction-ssa.org/news/webinar...

The UK Government has announced £10 million in funding to support the next generation of leaders in addiction research. Find out more about the Addiction Healthcare Goals Research Leadership Programme: tinyurl.com/2sveeum8

We want the media and politicians to recognise that there is a large number of women who are supportive of the trans+ community 🏳️‍⚧️

We call on them to report truthfully about the sources of violence against women and to address the systems that perpetuate harm.
notinourname.org.uk/petition/not...

Well this is the coolest thing to eve happen to any of us?

If you are a current #PhD student or have recently submitted your thesis, apply to attend the SSA's annual PhD Symposium in Newcastle upon Tyne on Wednesday 5 November tinyurl.com/355ersv2

Young people, alcohol and risk: A Culture of Caution A recent book by an international team of authors theorises the social, cultural and economic shifts accompanying the decline in youth alcohol consumption observed in many high-income countries since ...

Nice to have this out in popNAD. It summarises key ideas around declines in youth drinking that we explore in our book. Worth a read for overview of this body of work!

@amypennay.bsky.social @soc-researcher.bsky.social @jholmessheff.bsky.social @capraustralia.bsky.social

tinyurl.com/bdzajx8c

Well done @yvettemp.bsky.social, what a star!!

How we fell out of love with alcohol - and it's NOT just down to Gen Z Alcohol consumption in Britain has plunged 10 per cent since the millennium, with figures showing rates have dipped among all age groups.

In this article UCL IEHC expert Dr Melissa Oldham, who tracks drinking trends in the UK, talks about why younger generations are avoiding alcohol consumption 🍺 🍷 www.dailymail.co.uk/health/artic...

I'm so sorry Katie! I was so pleased to see your last tweet and can't imagine how you are feeling now. This is unbelievably cruel! Sending all the strength and solidarity!

Trends in alcohol-specific deaths in England, 2001–22: an observational study Alcohol-specific deaths in England remain high and increased after the COVID-19 pandemic. Policies should aim to reduce rates of alcohol consumption at the population level. Substantial investment is ...

Also covers our paper looking at rising alcohol-specific deaths, important context www.thelancet.com/journals/lan...