GambleAware to develop first-of-its-kind £4m UK academic research hub
Charity kick-starts eight-month grant award process with facility set to specialise in gambling-related harm
GambleAware has committed £4m in funds to the development of a first-of-its-kind gambling-related harm research hub in the UK.
The charity has triggered an eight-month grant award process, inviting a “select” number of universities to submit tenders to operate the hub.
GambleAware has said the successful bidder must take a “highly collaborative and multi-disciplinary approach” both within its own institution and by working externally with other academics and international bodies.
Applications will be accepted from those with a “strong academic track record” in so-called adjacent disciplines including public health, mental health, health economics, clinical health and psychology.
The hub aims to broaden the range of academic disciplines that are currently engaged in research on gambling-related harm from a small group operating from predominantly a social sciences perspective to a wider field.
“With the application of a public health lens, the successful institution will dictate its own research focus and will support and inform the wider system of treatment providers, organisations and agencies working to prevent and reduce gambling harms,” GambleAware said.
The successful bidder will also be required to secure alternative funding beyond the initial grant awarded by the charity.
GambleAware interim research director Alison Clare highlighted the tender process as a “fantastic” opportunity to develop and innovate an under-researched field of study.
“With this significant investment, a British university and its partners will have the chance to create a step change in building knowledge in an area which links and overlaps with many other subjects and fields,” Clare explained.
“It’s a different type of grant award to the smaller projects and programmes in our current research portfolio, with GambleAware taking a much more arm’s length approach in guiding the area of research focus.
“Our main criteria is that universities apply a multi-disciplinary, public health lens in setting out the rationale for their chosen research area.
“From our early discussions with selected universities, we’re expecting some very creative and innovative proposals at the initial Expression of Interest stage,” she added.