NCYSUR PhD student focuses on medicinal cannabis in European tour

After researching cannabis in Australia from different methodological vantage points over the past few years, I ventured across the pond to learn more from our esteemed European colleagues. 

I had the great pleasure of being invited to present my research at the annual meeting of the Society for the Study of Addiction (SSA) in Newcastle upon Tyne. I had heard anecdotal reports about the SSA conference being highly accommodating – it indeed lived up to the hype. A particular mention to Dr Rob Calder, Dr Carol-Ann Getty and Dr Graham Hunt for truly going above and beyond the call of duty to ensure the enjoyment of all attendees. I spoke to many people from the United Kingdom and Europe who were interested in the evolution of medicinal cannabis use in Australia, with many discussions about the emerging commercialisation in their own countries. 

Following the conference, I visited The University of Bath and was gratefully afforded the opportunity to speak at Professor Tom Freeman’s Addiction and Mental Health Group which was facilitated at large by the brilliant Dr Rachel Lees Thorne with a special guest appearance by Dr Elle Wadsworth who travelled far and wide to attend. It was illuminating to hear about cannabis use and cannabis use disorder in the United Kingdom, and I look forward to joining forces with this powerhouse team on research collaborations in the future. 

After a quick flight over to Munich (how good is European travel!), I met with one of my mentors and collaborators, Professor Dr Eva Hoch, at IFT Institut für Therapieforschung (Centre for Health and Addiction Research) where she is the scientific and managing director. Again, I was graciously allowed the opportunity to present my research on the medicinal cannabis landscape in Australia, facilitated by the brilliant Ms Eva Maria Krowartz. Following this, I spent time with Eva and her team discussing the current landscape of German cannabis policy and begun collaborating on projects. I was also treated to an idyllic day trip in the Bavarian countryside with Pawfessor Leonard Hoch (see photo). 

My final stop was at King's College London to present to the conference for Master Science (Addiction) students on my research. How grateful I was to be invited to speak to such an audience by Professor John Cunningham, Dr Martine Skumlien and Dr Katherine Sawyer. I had some thought-provoking questions by eagle eyed students keen to start on their own research journey. I came away from the trip with new research questions, brimming with motivation and gratefulness for the supportiveness and kindness within our research community. 

Thank you to everyone who welcomed me to their labs, please come and visit us in Australia! 

Danielle Dawson

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