In this blog, Jess writes about her experience attending SARN events as an ECR, and shares a preview of the findings from her research on MAPs, which will feature in this year’s Alcohol Occasionals!
Attending the Scottish Alcohol Research Network (SARN) Early Career Researcher (ERC) event was a valuable and energising experience – one that not only allowed me to present my work, but also to connect with researchers at different career stages and gain insights into emerging issues in alcohol research. For ECRs like myself, navigating academia can often feel isolating, so having a dedicated space to share ideas, get feedback, and make connections was a welcome opportunity.
The event brought together PhD students, ECRs, and mid-career academics to present their current research and network with others in the field. The programme included thought-provoking presentations such as:
- Reasons to be cautious: does ‘no safe level’ messaging work?
- Serendipity – how can researchers create and capitalise on it?
- Examining the relationship between alcohol-attributable conditions, multimorbidity, adverse outcomes, and experiences of care
- Exploring the health of women with co-occurring homelessness and problem substance use
- Building research networks
These presentations not only introduced new and growing alcohol-related research but also encouraged me to reflect on how research intersects with public health messaging, policy, and real-life complexities. I particularly appreciated the honest conversations around the challenges of creating impact, job security for ECRs, and the importance of building robust networks.
My presentation: evaluating Scotland’s first Managed Alcohol Programme (MAP)
My presentation focused on Scotland’s first Managed Alcohol Programme (MAP), launched by Simon Community Scotland in Glasgow in 2021, and the ongoing evaluation of its impact.
Research consistently shows that people experiencing homelessness are disproportionately affected by alcohol use disorders, shaped by poverty, trauma and adverse life events (McVicar et al., 2015). Alcohol can both contribute to housing instability and escalate as a coping mechanism for the dangers and challenges of homelessness. This intersection of trauma, marginalisation, and substance use means that traditional treatment models, often focused on abstinence, can be seen as unrealistic or undesirable for people experiencing homelessness (Carver et al., 2021).
Instead, harm reduction approaches, like MAPs, offer a pragmatic, person-centred alternative. MAPs provide structured, regular doses of alcohol in a safe environment alongside wraparound support including healthcare, social support, and housing assistance (Pauly et al., 2018). The first MAP was developed in Canada in the late 1990s, and programmes have since expanded globally, with Glasgow’s MAP representing a landmark step for Scotland.
Our evaluation of the Glasgow MAP began in December 2023 and spans four work packages:
- A realist review of international evidence
- Quantitative exploration comparing MAP residents’ outcomes with matched controls
- Photo elicitation interviews where MAP residents were trained to document their lived experiences through photography
- Qualitative exploration through semi-structured interviews with MAP staff and external stakeholders.
The findings I presented are early – myself and the team are still working through our analysis, however I can share some high-level points. I presented specifically on the early findings from stakeholder interviews which revealed a positive perception of the Glasgow MAP. Stakeholders, including healthcare professionals, policy makers, and third sector representatives, highlighted reductions in emergency interventions, increased stability for residents, and a significant improvement in quality of life. MAP residents were seen to have greater engagement with healthcare services, opportunities for social reconnection, and a sense of safety and belonging.
However, challenges remain. The MAP’s small size (just 10 beds) was described as a “drop in the ocean” by some participants compared to the scale of need in Scotland. Questions about long-term sustainability, scalability, and funding were raised, as was the need for gender-specific and rural adaptations. Interestingly, some stakeholders even described the programme as a form of palliative care for residents with chronic health conditions, something that may need to be considered in future service planning.
For anyone interested in learning more about MAPs, I highly recommend reading these previously published blogs: A look into Managed Alcohol Programmes in Glasgow, and MAP & COVID. Both provide rich context on the development and evolution of MAPs in Glasgow. We will also be taking part in SARN’s upcoming Alcohol Occasionals series later this year presenting on further findings, which you can sign up to here.
Why events like this matter
I also want to acknowledge that attending sessions like this ECR event can feel overwhelming. The day included complex discussions, and networking doesn’t come naturally to everyone – myself included. But it’s exactly these moments that push us out of our comfort zones, and I’ve learned how important that is for career development. Whether it’s asking a question in a crowded room or introducing yourself to someone whose work you admire, putting yourself out there is where connections and opportunities happen. It might feel uncomfortable, but the rewards, like mentorship, collaboration and new ideas, are worth it. We, as ECRs, need to get better at doing this, and events like the SARN event are a great place to start practicing.
Final thoughts
Overall, attending this event was both personally and professionally rewarding. Presenting on Scotland’s first MAP allowed me to showcase research that I feel strongly about, while learning from others working to reduce alcohol-related harms in diverse and creative ways. The conversations I had, both formal and informal, will help to shape my thinking moving forward.
For any ECRs wondering whether to attend future SARN events: do it. It’s an excellent platform to share your work, meet like-minded researchers, and become part of a supportive and collaborative network.
References
Carver, H., Parkes, T., Browne, T., Matheson, C., & Pauly, B. 2021. Investigating the need for alcohol harm reduction and managed alcohol programs for people experiencing homelessness and alcohol use disorders in Scotland. Drug and Alcohol Review, 40(2). doi.org/10.1111/dar.13178
McVicar, D., Moschion, J., & van Ours, J.C. 2015. From substance use to homelessness or vice versa? Social Science & Medicine, 136-137. doi.org/10.1016/j.socscimed.2015.05.005
Pauly, B., Vallance, K., Wettlaufer, A et al. 2018. Community managed alcohol programs in Canada: overview of key dimensions and implementation. Drug Alcohol Review, 37(S1). doi.org/10.1111/dar.12681
SHAAP Blogposts are published with the permission of the authors. The views expressed are solely the authors’ own and do not necessarily represent the views of Scottish Health Action on Alcohol Problems (SHAAP).
Jessica Greenhalgh
Research Assistant
Jessica Greenhalgh is a Research Assistant at the Salvation Army Centre for Addiction Services and Research at the University of Stirling. My research focuses on substance use, homelessness, and justice, working across multiple projects that explore harm reduction, treatment interventions and social policy impacts.