Social Science Network in Alcohol and Drug Research

Twenty years ago, the Social Science Network in Alcohol and Drug Research (Sonad) was initiated by the Center for Social Research on Alcohol and Drugs (SoRAD) at Stockholm University (SU).

Since then, Sonad has successfully organized 18 network meetings with different themes: nine in Stockholm, three in Gothenburg, three in Malmö/Lund, and meetings in Gävle, Örebro, and Östersund.

The meetings typically bring together 30–40 researchers from the faculties of social sciences and humanities at Swedish universities. Sonad counts about 200 members at diverse career stages.

The network has consistently welcomed new researchers, often PhD students, at a rate that matches the number of retirements and exits from the field. It is imperative that Sonad’s annual meetings resume. The two-day meetings combine lectures, research presentations, and discussions.

PhD students present their work, and new and experienced researchers exchange experiences, and socialize during a conference dinner.

These opportunities are invaluable, particularly for those who do not belong to a larger research group at their university. The network also has an email list that facilitates contact between meetings. The Department of Public Health Sciences and SoRAD, SU, now coordinate and manage Sonad.

The gender-mixed applicant group from SU, along with leading researchers from University of Gothenburg, Lund University, Malmö University, and Uppsala University, bring excellent expertise in public health sciences, sociology, social work, political science, and criminology. Sonad has extensive experience organizing conferences.

In this application, we plan for three meetings with 40 participants, 2025–2027: one meeting in Stockholm, one in Gothenburg and one in Malmö or Lund.

Forte´s coordinating responsibility for social science and interdisciplinary research on alcohol and drugs, as well as doping, tobacco and gambling, makes Forte a natural partner for Sonad.