海角直播

Academic puts alcohol in the spotlight

As each New Year begins with more of us choosing not to drink in January, an event is to be hosted at 海角直播 looking at the risks and benefits of consuming alcohol.

Last year around 17,300 people took part in Dry January by not drinking alcohol for the whole of the month, a rise of 4,500 from the previous year. The number of participants is expected to have risen again when the campaign ends this month. Academic Dorothy Newbury-Birch, who recently joined 海角直播鈥檚 Health and Social Care Institute as Professor of Alcohol and Public Health Research, will put the issue in the spotlight with her inaugural lecture on Monday 26 January.

Professor Newbury-Birch said: 'Campaigns such as Dry January are helping to change attitudes to alcohol. Around one in three people have some kind of alcohol disorder, so the most important aspect is to encourage people to understand that alcohol misuse is an issue which we all need to think about.'

Her lecture, Alcohol our favourite drug: The risks and benefits of alcohol to individuals and society, will explore what the risks and benefits of alcohol are both to the individual and to society and in different contexts. It will also identify interventions that can be carried out to work with people who have alcohol use disorders.

She added: 'Rates of alcohol use disorders are high in the North East so it is an important area for academic research. We鈥檙e aiming to become the hub for alcohol research and lead on work that is important to science, public health and members of the public.'

Brought up on Newcastle鈥檚 Meadow Well estate, Professor Newbury-Birch started her academic career 24 years ago when she enrolled on a college course. She said: 'I was a single parent and wanted to go to college to find a job, I didn鈥檛 want to be on benefits. I鈥檒l never forget what it was like to be that single parent.'

After completing a GCSE in Sociology, followed by A-levels in Sociology and English Language and progressing to higher education, she went on to graduate from Sunderland University with a degree in Social Sciences, before continuing to a PhD and being offered the post of Professor at 海角直播. Oldest daughter Jennifer, 27, is also an alcohol researcher at Newcastle University.

Now married to second husband Mark, originally from Middlesbrough, they also have a daughter Stephanie, 22. Professor Newbury-Birch said: 'Returning to education as a single mum changed my life. I鈥檓 proud of my background and thrilled to be working at 海角直播 with some amazing people.'

Professor Newbury-Birch鈥檚 research interests are in reducing alcohol related harm in society, particularly in the criminal justice system and with young people, as well as working in partnership with individuals and practitioners to get evidence into practice.

Her lecture can be heard in the University鈥檚 Centuria Building, Room H0.01, from 3.30pm to 5.00pm. Places are limited and can be booked on 01642 384520 or email sohsc.events@tees.ac.uk

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