New Usher researcher awarded Society for the Study of Addiction fellowship

Researcher Dr Lisa Schölin, who recently joined the Usher Institute within the Population Health Sciences group led by Professor Linda Bauld, has been awarded a prestigious national fellowship from the Society for the Study of Addiction.

Lisa is one of three researchers selected in the latest round of the Society for the Study of Addiction‘s Healthcare Goals flagship research leadership programme, which supports the next generation of leaders in addiction science. The programme is funded by the UK Government’s Office for Life Sciences and aims to strengthen research capacity and accelerate innovation in the prevention, treatment and understanding of substance use.

The fellowship will support Lisa’s research into the care pathways of people experiencing drug- and alcohol-related harms as they access Scotland’s urgent and emergency care system. The project will adopt a range of qualitative methods to explore routinely collected data, interactions and experiences of phoning 999/111 and being seen by an ambulance. The fellowship is carried out in collaboration with  the Scottish Ambulance Service and NHS 24. Exploring  why people present to and how people move through urgent care pathways will identify opportunities to improve access, coordination and outcomes for those affected by addiction.

Lisa’s work sits at the intersection of population health, addiction science and emergency care, with a focus on understanding health service use to inform more effective, equitable responses.

Lisa Scholin

I am honoured to be a recipient of the Society for the Study of Addiction’s Fellowship scheme. We know substance use-related harm has great impact on our communities and our emergency services. Scotland has in many ways led the way in tackling drug- and alcohol-related harm through a range of interventions and polices, but gaps remain to better understand contact with 999/111 and ambulance. I can’t wait to join the Usher Institute to work alongside other public health academics with a similar aspiration to collaborate with the NHS to help improve health care services for the people in our population who need it the most.

Dr Lisa Schölin Society for the Study of Addiction Fellow

The award recognises Lisa’s contribution to addiction and public health research and will support her development as an independent research leader. It also provides a platform to strengthen collaborations across academia, NHS services and third-sector partners.

The Society for the Study of Addiction’s Addiction Healthcare Goals programme was established to strengthen UK addiction research capacity by supporting talented researchers at key stages of their careers. Through fellowships and related funding schemes, the programme aims to generate evidence that informs policy, improves services and enhances outcomes for people affected by substance use.

Further information

Meet the next generation of leaders in addiction science | Society for the Study of Addiction

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