New Directions 2015 conference 
The New Directions in the Study of Alcohol Group (NDSAG) has announced its 39th Annual Conference 2015 [pdf] which will take place in London on 21st and 22nd of May.
The conference will explore a range of areas, including the headline theme 'Addicted to Recovery?', looking at the latest research on alcohol addiction in the context of the recovery agenda, related addictions, policy, and practice.
Confirmed speakers are to include: Prof. Keith Humphreys (Stanford University, USA), Prof. Anne Lingford Hughes (Imperial College, London), Prof. Marc Lewis (Radboud University, Nijmegen, Netherlands), Prof. David Best (Sheffield Hallam University and Monash University, Australia), Prof. Colin Drummond (National Addiction Centre, Kings College London), Dr Henrietta Bowden-Jones (National Problem Gambling Clinic, UK), Tim Leighton (Action on Addiction, UK), Alistair Sinclair (UK Recovery Federation), Clive Henn (Alcohol Policy Team, Public Health England), Dr Niamh Fitzgerald (University of Stirling, Scotland) and more.
See the New Directions website for more details and future announcements including the annual Ron McKechnie prize which offers a full conference bursary.
Alcohol brief intervention: where next for IBA? 
The Alcohol Academy are organising a national conference to explore key issues facing the delivery and implementation of 'Identification and Brief Advice' (IBA) in the UK. The event will take place on Monday 20th April in Birmingham. Formal registration will open shortly but you can register your interest by contacting [email protected] or see the event flyer [pdf] for more information.
Global Alcohol Policy Conference 2015
The Global Alcohol Policy Alliance (GAPA) and
Alcohol Focus Scotland are to co-host the next Global Alcohol Policy Conference which will be held in Edinburgh from 7-9 October 2015.
'Momentum for change: research and advocacy reducing alcohol harm' will look at key themes including: Implementing Effective Alcohol Policies; Barriers to Implementing Effective Alcohol Policies; Building Support for Protecting Children’s Right to Grow Up Free from Alcohol Marketing & Building a Global Network.
Prospective presenters are encouraged to submit abstracts in relation to new research, effective advocacy approaches and national or global policy. The abstract submission deadline is 6 March 2015. For more information and booking (from late January) visit the conference website: www.gapc2015.com.
BSA alcohol research methods event 
The British Sociological Association (BSA) are holding Alcohol Explorations: A Research Methods Workshop which will take place at in London on Friday February 27 2015. The event is aimed at academics interested in alcohol research methods, exploring issues such as 'how can sociological research help us to understand the complex subjective, embodied and sensory experiences of drunkenness and intoxication?'. See the flyer here or contact Dr. Thomas Thurnell-Read for more details.
Research & studentships 
Alcohol Research UK are inviting universities to apply for one of three jointly-funded research studentships for studies commencing in the academic year 2015/16. Each studentship will offer £7,000 per year match funding for three years, to enable a student to undertake research in the alcohol field leading to a PhD. Please see the prospectus for full details. The deadline for receipt of applications is 26th January 2015.
The Centre for Public Health at the Faculty of Education, Health and Community, Liverpool John Moores University, is organising its first Public Heath PhD Symposium and doctoral students are currently invited to submit abstracts.
Recent Comments