New Directions in the Study of Alcohol Group, with the Institute for Social Marketing and Health (ISMH) at the University of Stirling, are holding their 50th anniversary conference in October.
There were some legendary first gigs 50 years ago. The Clash opened for the Sex Pistols in Sheffield, and the Undertones played a scout hall in Derry. And in Dumfries, New Directions in the Study of Alcohol Group met for the first time.
Fewer than 20 people were there, and it was every bit as controversial as punk. Back then, questioning the notion that drinking problems could only be ‘cured’ by lifelong abstinence or challenging the disease model of ‘alcoholism’, was heresy.
Participants from nursing, psychiatry, psychology, social work and sociology studied research from the UK and abroad, alongside their own work. They were free to examine radical ideas and explore what they could mean for helping drinkers in trouble.
Remember your first gig? They did. They continued to meet regularly, attracting more, and different, people. Registered as a charity in 1982, the annual residential conferences attracted researchers and practitioners, all committed to exploring new and emerging issues in the alcohol field. The group had stumbled upon a great recipe for alcohol conferences (see box below).
INGREDIENTS (Specialist alcohol conferences)
• Common denominator [alcohol]
• People with expertise and specialist knowledge
• Range of professions and disciplines
• Neutral venue (away from the day job)
• Willingness to question received 'wisdom'
• Freedom to discuss in confidence
• Built-in time for informal discussions
Unfortunately, COVID scuppered the in-person events. Lockdown put the conference on hold – until now. With the Institute for Social Marketing and Health, our October conference aims to revive the spirit of open, collaborative inquiry that made New Directions a vital part of the alcohol research calendar.
The Alcohol Research 2026 conference will feature researchers, practitioners and professionals from all areas of alcohol policy to explore today’s big ideas in alcohol research, and encourage new thinking and innovation. In the spirit of New Directions, there will be presentations, debates and interactive workshops to encourage a dynamic exchange of ideas, so people from all backgrounds and career stages can join the conversation.
As well as looking forward, we can reflect on how much has changed since New Directions began – from dramatic changes in how, where and what people drink, to novel policy approaches like minimum unit pricing that weren’t on anyone’s radar in the 1970s. Debates on the nature of ‘addiction’, funding for treatment, and understanding behaviour change are as lively as they’ve always been. New social trends – from sober-curious movements to the explosion in no- and low- products – have emerged. The way we buy alcohol has been transformed.
Alcohol research is about understanding change, and asking difficult (and interesting) questions. That is what New Directions has always been about, and Alcohol Research 2026 will carry on that tradition. If you’re asking, ‘What’s this got to do with me?’ – good question.
We’ve run a LOT of conferences. A small group of early career alcohol specialists grew into a nationwide collective of both like- and unlike-minded people. It’s all been voluntary – we’ve had no premises, no staff, accepted no sponsorship. It hasn’t always been easy, but it’s been hugely worthwhile (and enormous fun). Taking space away from work to think afresh with other specialists has been invaluable. Individuals, their workplaces, the wider field and ultimately people affected by alcohol problems have benefitted.
New Directions trustees understand how lucky we’ve been. We were young in our careers when we first attended. We’ve learned loads, building personal and professional networks throughout the alcohol field. And we think other people should enjoy that opportunity.
So, we’re delighted that we’ve been able to team up with the ISMH at Stirling to organise a conference that captures the spirit of New Directions, and we hope it can launch another 50 years of lively debates, new thinking and mutual support for researchers and practitioners across our field. Come along – it might be a gig you don’t want to miss!
Trevor McCarthy is a trustee of New Directions in the Study of Alcohol Group and (mostly) retired.
Alcohol Research 2026: New Thinking, New Directions takes place on 6-7 October at the University of Stirling. Bursaries are available to support people to attend. alcoholresearch2026.carrd.co