Research

Involvement in Research

Welcome to GamLEARN: a platform where individuals with lived experience of Gambling Related Harms can actively participate in research and help shape future programs. We believe that your story, journey, battle scars, and voice are invaluable assets for researchers, regardless of the topic or theme.

Why Lived Experience Matters in Research

Lived Experience offers unique insights that textbooks and academic knowledge cannot provide. When individuals with first-hand experience of Gambling Related Harms contribute to research, it enriches the process in several ways:

Human-Centric Approach

Researchers value the human perspective to understand the real impact of Gambling Related Harm on people’s lives. Your insights help researchers connect on a deeper level, leading to more empathetic and relevant studies.

Language and Stigma Awareness

Lived experience teaches researchers about the language used and the stigma surrounding gambling-related harm (GRH). This awareness is crucial in presenting findings in a way that is easily understood and relatable to all.

Diverse Skill Sets

You don’t need to be an academic to participate in research. Your unique skills can contribute to different aspects of a research study, such as drafting reports, qualitative interview techniques, data analysis, and more. We are here to support you in upskilling and enhancing your abilities.

Effective Change

Research is essential for bringing about positive changes in various spheres, including social, business, and government challenges. By actively participating in research, you can play a vital role in creating awareness and advocating for better support and protections for individuals affected by gambling-related harms.

The Experts

Dr Steve Sharman

Steve Sharman is a Research Fellow at the National Addictions Centre, King’s College London. He has held previous post-doctoral positions at the University of East London, and the University of Lincoln.

Prof. Amanda Roberts

Amanda Roberts is a Professor and Director of Research in the School of Psychology at the University of Lincoln, UK.

Ensuring Safety and Anonymity

We understand the importance of safety and anonymity when sharing personal experiences. All participants in our research projects are treated with utmost respect, and confidentiality is strictly maintained throughout the process.

Join us at GamLEARN

Join us at GamLEARN and be a driving force in research that makes a difference. Together, we can enhance understanding, raise awareness, and foster positive change to protect individuals from gambling-related harms. Whether you have Lived Experience or are a researcher seeking collaboration on a new study related to GRH, we encourage you to register your interest through the provided sign-up form or reach out to research@gamlearn.org.uk with your details.

How to Get Involved

If you are interested in helping develop research related to gambling/gambling-related harm, we invite you to become part of our team. There are various levels of involvement, from participating in studies to joining research committees or even conducting interviews independently. We value your expertise and are committed to providing the necessary training and support for you to contribute confidently.

Feedback

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The conference gave me the opportunity to connect with others, and I found it insightful and well organised. However, I would have more lived-experience involvement. I would also offer more opportunities for the Q&A to be more interactive.

Steven Nyandu

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I found the conference better than expected. Being able to meet and speak with several academic researchers. They were all very interested in learning more from me and my wife, Angie, about how we have managed our journey through recovery as a couple. Many expressed how our experiences may be shared in order for them to best direct further research.

Tony Lock

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I think that GamLEARN did an amazing job organising and supporting the lived experience panel before and throughout the event.

Tony O’Reilly

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I found CAGR to be much better than expected. The lived-experience contributions were absolutely fantastic. As well as listening to the current research around gambling and crime, it was really useful. I felt welcomed and took care of, and the collaboration and connection was fab.

Benjamin Howard

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Attending the CAGR Conference was much better than expected. I found the event very useful. It gave me the ability to pose questions to keynote speakers and others, both to invite an answer and to put a different concept into the debate. I was surprised to be approached by senior GREO and GambleAware officers to engage further in my thoughts on gambling-related suicide measurement.

MJ