The National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) has awarded £5.5 million to fund a new Policy Research Unit (PRU) investigating addictions. The PRU will be led by the University of Sheffield, King's College London, and the University of Glasgow.

The inclusion of gambling in the PRU is a significant development, as it follows recommendations made by experts at the University of Glasgow to incorporate gambling into a Policy Research Unit. This is due to the increasing prevalence of gambling harms and the rapid pace of change in gambling technologies.

Professor Heather Wardle, of Gambling Research Glasgow, said: "We're delighted that gambling has been included in the new Addictions Policy Research Unit, raising the profile and esteem of gambling research and policy in an unprecedented way. Working with a talented team of researchers, we'll be able to look at commonalities and differences across addictive behaviours and products to support effective policy development.”

The PRU will work closely with government, gambling industry, and other stakeholders to ensure that its research findings are used to inform policy and practice.

This is a significant investment in gambling research, and it is a welcome development for those who are working to reduce gambling harms. The PRU will play a vital role in providing the evidence base that is needed to develop effective policies to protect people from gambling harm.

Read more about the new research funding on the university news webpage.

 

Professor Heather Wardle's Twitter account - @shwardle

First published: 4 August 2023

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