AERC Priorities
AERC Research Priorities 2010 – 2011
Deadline for submissions is September 5th 2010
The AERC has identified the following areas of particular current interest, but would also like to receive high quality proposals in other areas of alcohol research. All proposals will be considered on their merits.
Evidence-based alcohol policy
Governments and service local commissioners /planners frequently express support for evidence-based policy to prevent and reduce alcohol-related harm. However, the processes by which scientific evidence and other factors influence the formulation of policy in this field can be opaque. The AERC invites proposals for examining these processes and finding ways in which the role of scientific evidence in policy formulation can be enhanced.
Alcohol and health inequalities
Research has shown that people from lower socio-economic groups are much more likely to suffer alcohol-related harm than those from higher socio-economic groups, although there is no evidence of a difference in consumption between these groups. The AERC invites proposals that seek to clarify and explain this apparent paradox. These could include reviews, surveys or any other relevant form of research.
Mobilising community resources
The mobilisation of community resources to prevent the development of excessive drinking or facilitate long-term recovery from alcohol dependence is frequently cited as having great potential to reduce alcohol-related harm. Unfortunately, there has been little research on this potential in the UK. The AERC invites proposals for research which examines the role of voluntary and community groups in reducing alcohol-related harm. This includes but is not limited to studies of the role and effectiveness of mutual help groups such as Alcoholics Anonymous, SMART Recovery and Moderation Management.
Read more about how to apply for an AERC grant
Deadline for submissions is September 5th 2010
Past Priorities
Community Action
This was a priority in 2003-4.
Community action programmes are becoming increasingly accepted as key health promotion initiatives to deal with alcohol related issues. Such programmes move away from placing the responsibility solely on individuals and their families and promote community ownership of problems and solutions. They aim to change policies and structures within communities that maintain high levels of alcohol related harm. They empower communities to promote their own well being and to reduce distress caused to them by intoxicated and rowdy behaviour and by irresponsible selling of alcohol, which encourages such behaviour. They might focus upon community mobilisation, responsible beverage service in licensed premises to reduce the risk of having intoxicated and underage customers in bars or restaurants, reduced availability of alcohol being sold to minors, as well as drink driving and media campaigns. Many communities are beginning to develop partnerships to reduce alcohol-related problems.
A focus upon this priority has resulted in the funding of the UK Community Alcohol Prevention Project (UKCAPP).
Find out more in AERC Final Report 39 
UKCAPP: an evaluation of 3 UK Community Alcohol Prevention Programs.
Strengthening Families
This was a priority in 2004 & 2005.
Approaches designed to strengthen families have the potential to prevent alcohol misuse. The focus could be population based so that any family might be involved or the focus could be upon families at risk. Families at risk have major problems such as severe and recurrent family conflict, and poor parent-child relationships. Children with ineffective coping skills as well as those with little connection to family members, or school may be at an increased risk for alcohol abuse and/or dependence. There are several different intervention models and evaluation methodologies but most of the research has been completed in the US.
Families at risk may be those already experiencing an alcohol problem. Children who grow up in environments where one or both parents misuse alcohol tend to develop physical and psychological problems themselves. Families as a whole are also often badly affected when a key member (spouse, parent, child) develops a serious alcohol problem. There is some evidence that interventions with families and children can be effective and also that generic health and social care workers can implement them.
Find out more about this priority in AERC Final Report 22 Implementation of the Strengthening Families Program (SFP) 10-14 in Barnsley: The Perspectives of Facilitators and Families.
And AERC Final Report 42 Preventing Alcohol and Drug Misuse in Young People: Adaptation and Testing of the Strengthening Families Programme 10-14 (SFP10-14) for use in the United Kingdom.