Alcohol Availability, Marketing and Young People's Health

Young people's relationship with alcohol has been reshaped by rapid changes in the market and digital environment. Online delivery services, targeted digital marketing, and new products designed to appeal to youth have transformed how and when alcohol is accessed and consumed. These shifts raise critical questions about their impact on young people's alcohol use, and longer-term mental and physical health outcomes.

This PhD is part of an innovative research program examining alcohol access, marketing, consumption, and harms among young people conducted in close collaboration with policymakers and youth services. A key component is the establishment of a longitudinal cohort of young Australians, incorporating world-first technology to monitor digital alcohol marketing.

The PhD candidate will work with an expert team across leading Australian research institutes on a range of possible projects that may include:

• Systematic review on young people's access and exposure to alcohol
• Analysis of longitudinal cohort data, including exposure to digital alcohol marketing
• Analysis of national datasets to examine broader trends in youth alcohol use and outcomes 
• Qualitative research exploring young people's views, needs and priorities

This PhD will provide advanced research training while producing evidence to inform policy, shape prevention strategies, and support healthier futures for young Australians. 

Candidate requirements:

• Masters or Honours degree in public health, health, psychology, epidemiology, biostatistics or a related field
• Strong skills in quantitative analysis
• Demonstrated scientific writing ability, including peer-reviewed scientific papers
• Excellent communication and collaboration skills

Further information:

For more information about this project please contact A/Prof Amy Peacock amy.peacock@unsw.edu.au

If selected, information on UNSW HDR Scholarships can be found here HDR Scholarships