NCETA research in action

NCETA staff have been actively involved in a range of conferences, webinars, sector initiatives and collaborative activities, sharing expertise and contributing to discussions across research, policy and practice.

In June, Dr Kirrilly Thompson presented at an Australian Alcohol and other Drugs Council (AADC) webinar examining the increasing complexity of alcohol and other drug (AOD) work and its implications for workforce conditions, service funding and treatment outcomes. Drawing on findings from NCETA’s 2019-20 National AOD Workforce Survey, Dr Thompson shared evidence on how the AOD workforce has evolved and the challenges facing services and workers across the sector. A recording of the webinar is available here.

NCETA’s research was also showcased on the international stage at the International Society for the Study of Drug Policy (ISSDP) Conference during end June, early July. Prof Jacqueline Bowden and Dr Stine Høj shared research from across the NCETA team, including work examining public support for alcohol policies in Australia and consumer responses to nutrition claims on alcohol labels. The conference provided valuable opportunities to connect and collaborate with researchers, policymakers and public health professionals from around the world.

Collaboration remained a focus in July, with Dr Thompson, Dr Chanvi Singh and PhD student Stefano Zaccagnini attending the South Australian Alcohol and Other Drugs (AOD) Community of Practice member event, CoPing Together. The event brought together professionals from across South Australia’s AOD sector for a morning of connection, collaboration and shared learning, providing opportunities to strengthen relationships, exchange ideas and contribute to conversations shaping future practice in the state.

In August, NCETA staff connected with prospective Honours, Masters and PhD students at the Flinders Health and Medical Research Institute’s Road to Research event. Staff shared information about research opportunities in alcohol, tobacco and other drugs, discussed current projects and highlighted pathways for students interested in contributing to research that addresses real-world sector challenges. For list of projects currently available for students to work with us, click here.

Prof Bowden also attended the launch of the South Australian State Public Health Plan, joining leaders and stakeholders from across the public health sector to discuss priorities for improving health and wellbeing across South Australia and was invited to share her expertise as a guest speaker in SAMRHI’s 2026 Research-Policy Partnerships Masterclass, delivering an invited presentation on “Leadership: What is the role of researchers and policy professionals?”.

At the HER Mind, HER Health women’s mental health conference on the Gold Coast at the end of August, start of September, Victoria Kostadinov presented on “Gender-Based Barriers to Alcohol Treatment Engagement for Women: A Systematic Review” sharing findings on the barriers women may experience when seeking and engaging with alcohol treatment.

In September, we had Dr Annika Theodoulou present at an Australasian Professional Society on Alcohol & other Drugs (APSAD) Smoking and Vaping Cessation Special Interest Group webinar. Her presentation “Evidence on smoking cessation interventions: What works, for whom, and the impact of socioeconomic inequalities in smoking” explored evidence on the effectiveness and safety of smoking cessation interventions, as well as the impact of socioeconomic inequalities on smoking cessation.

Dr Nathan Harrison also presented at the PC4 - Primary Care Collaborative Cancer Clinical Trials Group Breakfast session hosted by RACGP and Cancer Council SA, discussing the rollout of lung cancer screening in Australia and opportunities to support smoking cessation alongside screening initiatives. The event provided an opportunity to connect with primary care professionals and share knowledge on cancer care and prevention.

Looking ahead, NCETA will have a strong presence at the APSAD Conference in November, with a number of staff presenting across a range of topics and the Centre hosting an exhibition booth. The conference will provide valuable opportunities to share research, engage with colleagues and contribute to discussions shaping policy and practice in the AOD sector.

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