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The deadline for applications is January 22nd 2010

CALL FOR PROPOSALS

Gender differences in alcohol consumption and harm: Development of prevention strategies

Background

There is a general perception that binge drinking amongst young people and more specifically young women has risen steadily in the recent past; in fact the evidence suggests a more complex picture and indeed the most recent data suggests that alcohol consumption has reached a plateau. Young women do appear to have been increasingly involved in the “night time economy” relating to inner city drinking venues and generally drinking more than they were a few years ago. Nevertheless young men are still drinking more than young women. The main question to be addressed in this proposal is whether different prevention strategies are more appropriate for young men and young women. Looking at young drinkers between the ages of 13 and 25 are there key gender differences in reported/perceived reasons for drinking, involvement in different drinking scenes as well as different experiences and patterns of drinking. The funders are open to the possibility that there are no major differences or that the differences emerging are symptomatic of similar roots (e.g. needing to feel you belong – displayed differently by M/F). This needs careful in-depth research to unpick differences.

Remit

In partnership with Comic Relief, the Alcohol Education and Research Council invite submissions of research proposals to address gender differences in drinking patterns, how these may have changed over time, why such a change has occurred and what strategies stand a chance of protecting young men and young women from the harmful consequences of alcohol misuse.

Applicants are free to suggest the best method of addressing these issues but specific considerations might be:

  1. What groups of young people between the ages of 13 and 25 to study; possibly those who regularly drink in pubs and clubs, teenage friends who drink at home and students who drink in a university bar?
  2. What questions should be explored: why do they drink, how much do they consume, in what situations, what would encourage them to drink more sensibly?
  3. What do they imagine their peers drink? What do women have to say about their male friends’ expectations and vice versa? In one US study 71% of young women overestimated by as much as 50% the amount of alcohol that their male friends expected them to drink. Does this apply to the UK?
  4. What prevention strategies do they imagine would be effective? Should the focus be upon education, a social norms approach or pricing and promotion

The research should:

  1. Capitalise on existing resources and existing research papers to identify changing trends in gender specific drinking patterns over the past decades as well as prevention strategies that have been studied. This should not be a time consuming part of the project since the evidence is already available.
  2. Use qualitative methods, theoretical concepts, published research and interviews with young people to devise prevention programmes.
  3. Consider existing knowledge and the new research to determine how prevention approaches might be a) designed and b) delivered to be more accessible, acceptable and effective for young men and young women?

A main focus of the research should be on the qualitative work designed to provide information on what prevention strategies might be implemented.

Assessment Process

Applications will be peer- reviewed by a panel of experts and AERC Research Committee members. Consideration will be given to the extent to which proposals align with the call’s remit, scientific quality or methodologies, innovative methods and ideas, expertise of the research team, demonstrated track record of undertaking and delivering work of this nature, potential to contribute and advance the existing research base and value for money. The key aim is to identify gender differences in prevention strategies.

Anticipated Duration

12-18 months

Funding Awarded

Up to £80,000 depending on the scope and nature of the proposed research

Applications should be submitted on an AERC Research Application form

The deadline for applications is January 22nd 2010

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