The National Drug and Alcohol Research Centre (NDARC) at the University of New South Wales recently hosted a compelling webinar that shed light on the complex relationship between substance use and media representation. Dr. Ben Riordan, an ARC DECRA Research Fellow at La Trobe University’s Centre for Alcohol Policy Research, led the presentation. His expertise in utilizing new and emerging technologies to understand and address alcohol consumption made for an insightful session. Dr. Riordan, who heads the Centre’s research on “alcohol, media, and emerging technologies,” eloquently discussed the influence of media portrayals of alcohol on behaviour and the intricacies involved in measuring the exposure to such depictions.

The webinar’s content was both rich and thought-provoking. It delved into the impact of alcohol and substance use as depicted in various media forms, highlighting the challenges in accurately measuring exposure and implementing effective interventions. Dr. Riordan, along with other experts like Prof. Emanuel Kunun, explored the influence of social media in disseminating alcohol-related content and the difficulties in quantifying its impact. They also discussed ongoing research and collaborative efforts to regulate the portrayal of alcohol in media more effectively. The presentation concluded with a call for innovative strategies to counteract alcohol misinformation and a discussion on the challenges of altering public opinion and behaviour regarding alcohol use. This webinar not only highlighted the current research in the field but also emphasized the need for more engaging and effective methods to educate the public and influence their perceptions about alcohol use.

Find more from NDARC UNSW (Australia, November 2023)