Student research

Student Research

Student research is an important part of OxBAR-Lab. Undergraduate and postgraduate students contribute to a wide range of research projects exploring alcohol use, health behaviour, wellbeing, and public health. This page showcases recent student-led research completed within the lab.

Jessica Burn, Third-Year Dissertation Student

Alcohol Health Campaigns and Alcohol-Related Stigma

What was the study about?
This study explored whether alcohol health campaigns can unintentionally increase alcohol-related stigma, which is known to be a barrier to help-seeking and treatment.

What did we find?
In an online experiment involving 118 participants, exposure to a negatively framed alcohol health campaign did not increase alcohol-related stigma compared with a neutral campaign. However, moderate to high levels of stigma were observed across the sample.

Why is this important?
The findings highlight the importance of designing alcohol health campaigns that communicate health risks without reinforcing stigma.

Supervisor: Dr Jenny Seddon
Year: 2026

Ella Breslin, Third-Year Dissertation Student

Understanding Intentions to Use Alcohol-Free and Low-Alcohol (NoLo) Products

What was the study about?
This study explored why people choose to use alcohol-free and low-alcohol (NoLo) products. Using the Theory of Planned Behaviour, it examined whether attitudes, social influences, and perceived control predicted intentions to consume NoLo products among adults aged 18 to 64.

What did we find?
Three key themes emerged from people's attitudes towards NoLo products: personal enhancement benefits, NoLo functionality, and alcohol reinforcement. People who viewed NoLo products as beneficial or useful were more likely to intend to consume them, while stronger beliefs about the positive effects of alcohol predicted lower intentions to use NoLo products. These attitude-based factors improved the ability of the Theory of Planned Behaviour to predict NoLo consumption intentions.

Why is this important?
The findings highlight specific beliefs that may encourage or discourage NoLo use and could help inform future alcohol harm reduction strategies and public health campaigns.

Supervisor: Dr Emma Davies
Year: 2026

Amelia Hamblin, Third-Year Dissertation Student

Choosing NoLo Drinks on Dates: The Role of Identity and Social Norms

What was the study about?
This study explored the psychological and social factors that influence whether young adults are willing to choose alcohol-free and low-alcohol (NoLo) drinks in dating situations. It examined the role of identity, social norms, drinking behaviour, and attitudes towards NoLo products.

What did we find?
Young adults who consumed more alcohol were less willing to choose NoLo drinks on dates. In contrast, more positive attitudes towards NoLo products, stronger social approval, and more favourable views of the typical NoLo drinker were associated with greater willingness to choose them. Feeling similar to the "typical" NoLo drinker emerged as the strongest predictor of willingness.

Why is this important?
The findings suggest that NoLo choices in dating contexts are shaped not only by drinking habits, but also by identity and social influences. Making NoLo drinkers feel more relatable and socially accepted may help increase uptake among young adults.

Supervisor: Dr Emma Davies
Year: 2026

Megan Moore, Third-Year Dissertation Student

Autistic Traits, Drinking to Cope, and Alcohol Use Among University Students

What was the study about?
This study explored the relationship between autistic traits, coping motives for drinking, and alcohol consumption among university students. It examined whether students with higher levels of autistic traits differed in their drinking behaviour and whether drinking to cope with difficulties helped explain these patterns.

What did we find?
Students who reported stronger coping motives for drinking consumed more alcohol. In contrast, students with higher levels of autistic traits generally consumed less alcohol. However, drinking to cope partially explained this relationship, suggesting that while autistic traits were associated with lower alcohol use overall, alcohol consumption increased when students used alcohol as a coping strategy.

Why is this important?
The findings highlight the importance of understanding coping-related drinking among students with autistic traits and suggest that universities may benefit from providing alternative strategies to support wellbeing and reduce alcohol-related harm.

Supervisor: Dr Emma Davies
Year: 2026