Addictions Research MPhil/PhD at Kings College London

Overview

One of Europe’s leading research centres
We are one of the most productive addictions research groups in Europe. In the 2013 Rand Europe analysis of influential research from UK universities, Substance Abuse Research at the National Addiction Centre was identified as leading the field, contributing 13% of all Highly-Cited Publications over a 10-year period (2002-2011). We represent one of the chosen areas of important health-related study as the newly created Addictions Clinical Academic Group (CAG) within King’s Health Partners, and form one of the core areas of the Academic Health Science Centre that brings together university partners King’s College London with the NHS from South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust, King’s College Hospital, and Guy’s and St Thomas’. Substance Use Disorders is one of the main themes of the NIHR Biomedical Research Centre for Mental Health which is based at the Institute of Psychiatry, , Psychology & Neuroscience (IoPPN).

Forty years of research excellence

The emphasis of our research is on ‘what works’ in the prevention and treatment of substance-related problems: the NAC represents a network of clinicians, researchers and clinical teachers who have a shared commitment to excellence in prevention and treatment work, and to supporting and strengthening national and international endeavours in this field. Over the last 40 years, the NAC has developed a body of research evidence that has informed the evidence base for the UK treatment system and the development of new treatment services for alcohol, smoking and drug problems. This work ranges from trials of new therapies and preventative treatments to studies seeking to understand the genetic and biological basis of addictive behaviour.

Description

The emphasis of our research is on ‘what works’ in the prevention and treatment of substance-related problems: the NAC represents a network of clinicians, researchers and clinical teachers who have a shared commitment to excellence in prevention and treatment work, and to supporting and strengthening national and international endeavours in this field. 

Over the last 40 years, the NAC has developed a body of research evidence that has informed the evidence base for theUK treatment system and development of new treatment services for alcohol, smoking and drug problems. This work ranges from trials of new therapies and preventative treatments to studies seeking to understand the genetic and biological basis of addictive behaviour.

PhD projects are available in areas related to the development and evaluation of new treatments for alcohol, smoking and drug problems and includes studies seeking to understand the underlying psychological and biological bases and change processes of addictive behaviours, as well as policy-driven and workforce development projects and treatment trials.

Professor John Strang who heads the Department is one of the UK’s leading experts in addiction and one of only six Addiction Research scientists outside North America who is listed in www.isihighlycited.com.

Key Benefits

• Access to excellence in both applied research and development
• Interaction with internationally recognised researchers in a wide range of addiction related topics
• Demonstrated excellence in qualitative, quantitative, mixed methods and trial research methods
• Strong partnerships with South London and the Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust
• Access to rich and varied clinical populations
• Access to a wide range of educational resources and training within the department and at the King's level through the Researcher Development Programme