Gender has long been a central feature in research on drugs and alcohol. Numerous studies have examined the extent to which men and women exhibit different alcohol and illicit drug consumption patterns. However, in spite of the importance of gender differences in research on alcohol and illicit drugs, contemporary research on gender and substance use has been slow to incorporate new theoretical developments currently taking place in gender studies in sociology, anthropology, cultural studies, human/cultural geography and criminology.

The aim of this conference is to examine these new developments within gender studies and explore their potential usefulness for socio-cultural research on gender and alcohol and drug consumption. For example, what are the possible contributions of contemporary theories of materiality, intersectionality or embodiment to alcohol and drug research? How are notions of masculinity and femininity constructed, experienced and acted out in alcohol and drug consumption? How do women and men “do gender” today through their alcohol and drug using practices?

Interested participants are invited to submit abstracts that are clearly related to the aims of the conference and adopt a theoretical approach to analyzing gender issues within alcohol and drug research. Potential papers, which examine and discuss empirical data are also most welcome, but must include a theoretical and analytical perspective.

Our aim is to attract researchers at different career levels, as well as more established researchers both from within the alcohol and drug fields as well as related research areas.

Conference format

The conference will combine plenary keynote lectures with thematic paper sessions, in which individual participants will present papers. Completed papers must be submitted prior to the conference and each individual paper will be assigned a discussant.

The conference will commence at 9.30 AM on October 10th and end at 1 PM on October 12th (see the preliminary conference programme).

Prior to the conference, we are arranging a 2-day training course for PhD students who are interested in research on gender, either in the alcohol and drugs field or other related arenas (see link to the course in the website menu).