DPSC Annual Report 2024–2025: Research with Purpose, Impact, and Reach

The Drugs, Policy and Social Change (DPSC) research group at Manchester Metropolitan University has had a remarkable year, marked by international collaborations, impactful research, and growing recognition across academic and policy landscapes. The 2024–2025 annual report showcases a vibrant community of scholars, practitioners, and students working together to address some of the most pressing challenges in drug policy and social justice.

Led by Dr Rebecca Askew and Professor Rob Ralphs, DPSC continues to build on its strengths in interdisciplinary research, drawing from sociology, criminology, public health, and media studies. The group’s work is deeply embedded in real-world contexts, with a strong emphasis on lived experience, harm reduction, and policy innovation.

Research That Drives Change

One of the flagship projects this year was GMTRENDS, a long-running partnership with the Greater Manchester Combined Authority. Led by Professor Rob Ralphs, the project monitors emerging substance use trends and drug market dynamics across the region. The findings inform local policy, service development, and harm reduction strategies. GMTRENDS was prominently featured in Manchester Met’s 200-year anniversary celebrations and continues to attract media attention, including coverage by the BBC, ITV, and The Guardian.

Building on this success, DPSC secured a £272,000 Knowledge Transfer Partnership with Innovate UK and Delamere Health. This two-year project will evaluate the long-term effectiveness of addiction rehab treatment, with a focus on aftercare models. Notably, the Programme Impact Lead is Emma Davidson, a former MA Applied Criminology student, exemplifying DPSC’s commitment to nurturing talent and connecting research with practice.

Expanding Global Collaborations

DPSC’s international profile continues to grow. Dr Rebecca Askew has deepened her collaboration with the Drug Policy Modelling Program at the University of New South Wales, Sydney. This year, she co-led the Wild Drug Policy project with Rob Ralphs and Senior Lecturer Richard Kelly from the Fashion Institute, combining portrait photography, ethnography, and interviews with Mancunians to explore how drug and alcohol policies shape everyday working lives.

Rebecca also co-edited a special issue of Drugs: Education, Prevention and Policy on “Moralities and Drug Policy,” featuring contributions from eight countries across five continents. Her co-authored article with Professor Alison Ritter examined the values underpinning drug legalisation debates, marking the completion of her Leverhulme International Fellowship.

DPSC welcomed several visiting fellows and professors, including Dr Isabelle Volpe (Australia), Niamh Eastwood (Executive Director of Release), Zoë Welch (Head of Research at Change Grow Live), Dr Fiona Hutton (New Zealand), and Dr Paul Kelaita (Australia). These partnerships bring global expertise into the heart of Manchester Met’s research community and foster collaborative projects that span continents.

Dr Isabelle Volpe is working with Rebecca and other colleagues on international research papers, methodological advancement and grant writing. Isabelle has just completed her PhD from the University of New South Wales (Reconstituting ‘youth participation in drug policy), which she passed with no corrections.

Celebrating Individual Achievements

DPSC core members have had an outstanding year. Dr Liviu Alexandrescu secured British Academy/Leverhulme funding for his Drugscapes project, analysing over 1,500 news articles and conducting interviews with media professionals. Dr Verity Smith joined the team, bringing expertise in drug policing and harm reduction from her PhD and postdoctoral work in Hong Kong, from which she has recently published two papers. Dr Jessica Williamson completed her PhD on drug policing at music festivals, offering a feminist perspective on risk and security. Dr Mike Salinas advanced research into drug market dynamics through collaborations with Aarhus University, while Dr Anna Norton continued her work on synthetic cannabinoids and homelessness.

Research Assistant Oliver Hulmes completed evaluations of Manchester’s Street Engagement Hub and the Entrenched Rough Sleeper’s Social Work Team, securing ESRC funding for a PhD exploring holistic models of poverty alleviation. Maria Hunter, a current MA student, contributed to multiple projects, including GMTRENDS and the Night-Time Economy Drug Checking pilot, while also supporting DPSC events and student engagement.

Events That Inspire and Connect

DPSC played a central role in hosting major conferences and events that raised its national and international profile. In September 2024, the group hosted the 35th Annual Conference of the European Society for Social Drug Research (ESSD), welcoming delegates from 17 countries. In October, GMTRENDS findings were launched at an event featuring Dame Carol Black, Mayor Andy Burnham, and Deputy Mayor Kate Green, coinciding with Greater Manchester Police’s new drug strategy.

The highlight of the year was the ISSDP 2025 Conference, hosted by DPSC in June. With 215 delegates from 34 countries, 128 talks, and 23 poster presentations, the event focused on social justice and featured keynote speakers including Dr Kojo Koram and a panel with UN and political representatives. The conference was a resounding success, placing Manchester Met firmly on the global map for drug policy scholarship.

Teaching, Learning, and Student Impact

DPSC continues to deliver research-informed teaching, launching a new MA unit on Substance Use, Policy, and Practice and organising a harm reduction conference as part of the undergraduate curriculum. The group facilitated 12 student internships with organisations such as Release, Change Grow Live, and Early Break, and played a key role in the University’s Drug and Alcohol Impact accreditation programme.

Student engagement in research projects like GMTRENDS was highlighted as best practice by SOS-UK, with feedback praising the integration of academic expertise and real-world experience. DPSC’s commitment to inclusive, high-quality research environments is reflected in its support for postgraduate students and its collaborative ethos.

From local partnerships to global collaborations, DPSC’s work exemplifies research that is both intellectually rigorous and socially transformative. As Manchester Metropolitan University continues to grow its research profile, DPSC stands out as a model of how academic excellence can be applied to real-world challenges, driving innovation, informing policy, and improving lives.

Click the link below to read the 2025 annual report in full: