We\u2019re pleased to share that the University of St\u00a0Andrews has been awarded funding to deliver one of nineteen projects under the new national programme on gambling harms from UK Research and Innovation (UKRI).<\/p>\n
Research in Innovation in Gambling and Substance Use (RIGS) St Andrews, led by Prof Alex Baldacchino and Mr Joe Schofield from the School of Medicine and Dr Gosia Mitka from the Business School, will explore the intersection of addiction, innovation, public health, and behavioural research. The interdisciplinary team spans the School of Medicine and Business School \u2013 Prof Peter Donnelly, Dr Samuel Warne, Dr Sandra Romenska, and Dr Tugce Cuhadaroglu \u2013 and is supported by Research Fellows Dr Janis Petzinger and Dr Dagmar der Weduwen.<\/p>\n
This funding forms part of a major UKRI investment announced in May 2026<\/a> to establish the UK\u2019s largest independent Gambling Harms Research (GHR\u2011UK) network, including a central Evidence Centre and a cohort of Innovation Partnerships across the UK. The St Andrews team have received \u00a3150,000 for a 1-year phase 1 study which aims to develop a phase 2 bid for a 4-year, \u00a35 million research and innovation project. This research and innovation project aligns with the University\u2019s strategic pillars<\/a> for World-leading and Entrepreneurial work.<\/p>\n The programme is funded through the UK Government\u2019s Gambling Levy and aims to generate high-quality, independent evidence to better understand, prevent and respond to gambling related harms.<\/p>\n RIGS St Andrews will contribute to this national effort by advancing innovative, interdisciplinary research and partnerships for innovation at the intersection of gambling and substance use. Through collaboration with partners across the GHR\u2011UK network and beyond, including national and international inter-governmental organisations, the project will help address key evidence gaps and support the development of effective policy, innovation, and practice. The team will co-design the project with people experiencing problematic gambling and substance use, identifying gaps and co-creating proposals for intervention that will improve policy and practice to advance prevention, treatment, and care of those most at risk of harm.<\/p>\n