Professor Niamh Fitzgerald

Professor

Institute for Social Marketing University of Stirling, Stirling, FK9 4LA

Professor Niamh Fitzgerald

Contact details

About me

My research and teaching interests are primarily in alcohol policy, in particular mixed-method, interdisciplinary studies of population-level policies, and commercial determinants of health including product marketing, conflicts of interest and policy processes. I am involved in the supervision of several PhD students and am open to enquiries from anyone interested in a research degree on these topics.

I am one of two Deputy Directors of the SPECTRUM (Shaping Public hEalth poliCies To Reduce ineqUalities and harM) Consortium which focuses on commercial determinants of health in relation to alcohol, tobacco and food. SPECTRUM is funded by the UK Prevention Research Partnership (2019-2024) and includes 10 universities and multiple policy/practice partners. My role is to lead on impact, knowledge exchange and public engagement for the consortium - co-ordinating knowledge exchange events (including annual courses for ECRs, policymakers and practitioners) and overseeing public involvement groups at the Universities of Stirling and Nottingham and King's College London. Academics wishing to consult the public on alcohol/tobacco/food research can get in touch to arrange to meet with these groups.

I originally trained as a pharmacist, working primarily in community pharmacy, but also addiction services and the pharmaceutical industry. I received my PhD in 2003 from Robert Gordon University (RGU), Aberdeen, Scotland, for a qualitative study of policy, planning and practice in school-based drug education.  After my PhD I held a training role at NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde, then worked for 10 years as an independent consultant.

From 2007-2011, I was heavily involved in the national alcohol brief intervention programme in Scotland, and have worked extensively on this topic including internationally. I recently authored two training manuals on alcohol brief interventions (in primary care and trauma settings) for the WHO-Europe office for NCD prevention.

I sit on the board of ICARA - the International Confederation of ATOD (Alcohol Tobacco and Other Drug) Research Associations (http://www.icara.info) as immediate past president. ICARA works to support research associations with governance and capacity building particularly in low and middle income countries.

I specialise in mixed methods alcohol policy research and have broad interests within that field including these studies underway or being written up:

  • ELEPHANT (Evaluating later or expanded premises hours for alcohol in the night time economy) - an NIHR-funded mixed-methods study of the impact of later opening hours for alcohol in Glasgow and Aberdeen cities.
  • ExILEnS - an NIHR-funded mixed-methods study of the impact of public health engagement in alcohol premises licensing in England and Scotland (PI);
  • IMPAACT - a CSO study of the impact of alcohol on the ambulance service including whether MUP affected the number of alcohol-related ambulance call-outs in Scotland (PI). I am also Co-Ion three other studies of MUP's impact - in the small retail sector, in youth/binge drinkers and in prescribing data.
  • Several studies of self report and biochemical methods of identifying alcohol use in pregnancy.

I am interested in the language used to discuss alcohol problems and policies and how it impacts on public and policymaker attitudes.  I am leading the IDEA (Identifying & DEscribing Arguments) project which is developing a systematic typology of the frames (claims or arguments) found in the alcohol policy literature. This study, funded by CRUK, will facilitate systematic framing analysis of future bodies of data such as consultation responses etc. and training/education on this issue.   I am interested in how financial conflicts of interest affect science and practice in public health, and have done work focused on nalmefene (a drug for alcohol dependence); and on understanding how researchers view conflicts of interest and how they should managed. 

I am open to collaboration with others interested in taking forward research in these fields, or to prospective research students interested in any of these issues.

Research projects (35)

Evaluating the Impact of Increasing the Availability of No/Lo Alcohol Products
PI: Professor Niamh Fitzgerald
Funded by: National Institute for Health Research
–

Prevention Research Network (formerly Community of Practice)
PI: Professor Niamh Fitzgerald
Funded by: Medical Research Council
–

Monitoring the use of location promotions in retail outlets: a baseline
PI: Dr Richard Purves
Funded by: Public Health Scotland
–

Evaluating Later and Expanded Premises Hours for Alcohol in the Night-time Economy (ELEPHANT)
PI: Professor Niamh Fitzgerald
Funded by: National Institute for Health Research
–

Independent Review of the Alcohol Premises Licensing System in Northern Ireland
PI: Dr James Nicholls
Funded by: Northern Ireland Executive
–

Exploring the management of alcohol problems in Deep End general practices in Scotland
PI: Professor Niamh Fitzgerald
Funded by: Scottish Health Action on Alcohol Problems
–

Alcohol Harms Framing
PI: Professor Niamh Fitzgerald
Funded by: Alcohol Change UK
–

SPECTRUM: Shaping Public hEalth poliCies To Reduce IneqUalities and harM
PI: Professor Niamh Fitzgerald
Funded by: Medical Research Council
–

Regulating alcohol packaging and supply to protect health in Sub-Saharan Africa: lessons from policy systems in Malawi and Uganda (RAPSSA)
PI: Dr Isabelle Uny
Funded by: Medical Research Council
–

IRAPS: Interdisciplinary Research into political interest, civil society support and available data to strengthen Alcohol Policy Systems in Brazil and Peru
PI: Professor Niamh Fitzgerald
Funded by: Medical Research Council
–

Ambulance Call-Outs to Drug Overdoses in Scotland: Patterns and Practice
PI: Professor Niamh Fitzgerald
Funded by: Scottish Government
–

Trends and Inequalities in Prescribing for Alcohol Dependence in Scotland (TRIPADS)
PI: Professor Niamh Fitzgerald
Funded by: Alcohol Research UK
–

An exploration of the characteristics, perceptions and experiences of drink drivers in England and Scotland
PI: Dr Isabelle Uny
Funded by: Parliamentary Advisory Council for Transport Safety
–

Alcohol Research Network (ACORN) UK/ROI
PI: Professor Niamh Fitzgerald
Funded by: Economic and Social Research Council
–

The Impact of Minimum Unit Pricing of Alcohol on Ambulance Call-outs in Scotland (IMPAACT)
PI: Professor Niamh Fitzgerald
Funded by: Chief Scientist Office
–

Limiting virus transmission during a Sporting Mega Event: COVID 19 and UEFA EURO 2020
PI: Dr Richard Purves
Funded by: Economic and Social Research Council
–

EXILENS - Exploring the Impact of Alcohol Licensing in England and Scotland
PI: Professor Niamh Fitzgerald
Funded by: National Institute for Health Research
–

Examining policy options to manage the impact of Covid-19 restrictions on licensed premises and ambulance-call outs in Scotland
PI: Professor Niamh Fitzgerald
Funded by: Chief Scientist Office
–

Alcohol Policy Workshop (SPECTRUM)
PI: Professor Niamh Fitzgerald
Funded by: Delegates - Short Courses
–

Evaluating the Impact of Minimum Unit Pricing in Scotland: Observational Study of Small Retailers
PI:
Funded by: NHS Health Scotland
–

Awareness of alcohol marketing: A pre-implementation cross-sectional survey of adults in the Republic of Ireland
PI: Dr Nathan Critchlow
Funded by: Institute of Public Health in Ireland
–

Young adult’s perceptions of alcohol packaging as a form of promotion, and how it could be used more effectively to communicate health messaging
PI: Professor Crawford Moodie
Funded by: Alcohol Focus Scotland
–

Understanding the direct and indirect impact of lowering Scotland’s drink-drive limit
PI: Professor Niamh Fitzgerald
Funded by: Chief Scientist Office
–

Obesity and Alcohol Use: is there a role for dually focused intervention in young adults (18-25) to tackle unhealthy eating and heavy drinking and effectively reduce future health inequalities?
PI:
Funded by: Department of Health
–

Women and alcohol: evidence synthesis of the impacts on population level interventions to reduce alcohol use/harm by gender
PI: Professor Niamh Fitzgerald
Funded by: Glasgow Centre for Population Health
–

Alcohol Screening in Pregnancy Systematic Review & Scoping Study
PI: Professor Niamh Fitzgerald
Funded by: Glasgow Centre for Population Health
–

The Development of a Training Toolkit for Screening and Brief Intervention (SBI) for Alcohol adapted for Emergency Care settings
PI: Professor Niamh Fitzgerald
Funded by: World Health Organisation
–

WHO ABI Training Materials Pilot
PI: Professor Niamh Fitzgerald
Funded by: World Health Organisation
–

Alcohol in Pregnancy Study
PI:
Funded by: Glasgow Centre for Population Health
–

The Identifying & Describing Arguments (IDEA) project.
PI: Professor Niamh Fitzgerald
Funded by: Cancer Research UK
–

Remuneration for Alcohol Brief Interventions Scoping Study
PI: Professor Niamh Fitzgerald
Funded by: Scottish Health Action on Alcohol Problems
–

Women and Alcohol: Towards an Equity Review of the Effectiveness of Population-based Interventions to Reduce Alcohol Use and Harm by Gender
PI: Professor Niamh Fitzgerald
Funded by: Glasgow Centre for Population Health
–

Four Nations: the differences and similarities in alcohol policies and programmes across the four jurisdictions of the UK
PI: Professor Niamh Fitzgerald
Funded by: The National Endowment for Science, Technology and the Arts
–

The Content and Design of Alcohol Brief Intervention Training for Practitioners
PI: Professor Niamh Fitzgerald
Funded by: Alcohol Research UK
–

Extension of Current Research on Overprovision of Licensed Premises
PI: Professor Niamh Fitzgerald
Funded by: NHS Health Scotland
–

Outputs (126)

Showing 100 of 126 — See all 126 outputs

Article

“It has some major knock-on effects”: ambulance clinicians’ experiences of attending alcohol-related call-outs and perceived impact on the Scottish ambulance service (IMPAACT study)

Uny I, Martin JG, Mitchell D, Ford A, Begley A, Howell R, Fitzpatrick D, Mackay D, Lewsey J & Fitzgerald N (2025) “It has some major knock-on effects”: ambulance clinicians’ experiences of attending alcohol-related call-outs and perceived impact on the Scottish ambulance service (IMPAACT study). Drugs: Education, Prevention and Policy. https://doi.org/10.1080/09687637.2025.2576804

Review

Development of the alcohol-free and low-alcohol drinks market in Great Britain from 2011-2022: narrative timelines based on a documentary review of off-trade retail magazines and market intelligence reports

Critchlow N, Morgan A, Angus K, Howell R, Fitzgerald N, Kersbergen I & Holmes J (2025) Development of the alcohol-free and low-alcohol drinks market in Great Britain from 2011-2022: narrative timelines based on a documentary review of off-trade retail magazines and market intelligence reports [Development time for the no/lo drinks market in GB (2011 to 2022)]. Drug & Alcohol Review. https://doi.org/10.1111/dar.14058

Policy Document

Restricting alcohol availability in practice: evidence from selected countries.

Trangenstein P, Tello J, Eck R, Tiongson P, Yeh J, Jernigan D, Haragirimana E, Waleewong O, Fitzgerald N, Uny I, Mbona Tumwesigye N & Kaneka B (2025) Restricting alcohol availability in practice: evidence from selected countries.. World Health Organisation. Snapshot series on alcohol control policies and practice, Brief 14. World Health Organisation. https://iris.who.int/handle/10665/381461

Article

Reducing alcohol harms whilst minimising impact on hospitality businesses: ‘Sweetspot’ policy options

Fitzgerald N, O'Donnell R, Uny I, Martin JG, Cook M, Graham K, Stockwell T, Hughes K, Wilkinson C, McGill E, Miller PG, Reynolds J, Quigg Z & Angus C (2024) Reducing alcohol harms whilst minimising impact on hospitality businesses: ‘Sweetspot’ policy options. International Journal of Drug Policy, 129 (July 2024), Art. No.: 104465. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.drugpo.2024.104465

Article

Alcohol policy changes during the first three-months of the COVID-19 pandemic: Development and application of a classification scheme

Peña S, Wilkinson C, Aresi G, Barrett L, Boniface S, Fitzgerald N, Norambuena P, Paradis C, Román F & Sierralta P (2024) Alcohol policy changes during the first three-months of the COVID-19 pandemic: Development and application of a classification scheme. International Journal of Drug Policy, 127, Art. No.: 104373. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.drugpo.2024.104373

Editorial

Alibi marketing? Surrogate marketing? Brand sharing? What is the correct terminology to discuss marketing for alcohol-free and low-alcohol products which share branding with regular strength alcohol products?

Critchlow N, Holmes J & Fitzgerald N (2024) Alibi marketing? Surrogate marketing? Brand sharing? What is the correct terminology to discuss marketing for alcohol-free and low-alcohol products which share branding with regular strength alcohol products?. Addiction. https://doi.org/10.1111/add.16504

Article

Factors influencing public health engagement in alcohol licensing in England and Scotland including legal and structural differences: comparative interview analysis

Fitzgerald N, Mohan A, Purves R, O’Donnell R, Egan M, Nicholls J, Maani N, Smolar M, Fraser A, Briton T & Mahon L (2024) Factors influencing public health engagement in alcohol licensing in England and Scotland including legal and structural differences: comparative interview analysis. Public Health Research. https://doi.org/10.3310/BGTR4277

Conference Paper (unpublished)

A comparison of Alcohol Policy subsystems in Peru and Brazil: findings from a qualitative study

Uny I, Sanchez Z, Piazza M, Valerio I, Burela P, Petticrew M, Angus C & Fitzgerald N (2023) A comparison of Alcohol Policy subsystems in Peru and Brazil: findings from a qualitative study. 48th Annual Symposium of the Kettil Bruun Society for Social and Epidemiological Research on Alcohol, Johannesburg, 05.06.2023-09.06.2023. https://www.kbs2023joburg.org/

Conference Paper (published)

Later opening hours for alcohol licensed premises in Scotland amidst economic and social instability: local stakeholder experiences based on semi-structured interviews

Mitchell G, O'Donnell R, Cook M, Uny I, Maxwell K, Emslie C & Fitzgerald N Later opening hours for alcohol licensed premises in Scotland amidst economic and social instability: local stakeholder experiences based on semi-structured interviews. In: , Johannesburg, South Africa, 05.06.2023-08.06.2023. 48th Annual Alcohol Epidemiology Symposium of the Kettil Bruun Society.

Article

The Effect of Minimum Unit Pricing for Alcohol on Prescriptions for Treatment of Alcohol Dependence: A Controlled Interrupted Time Series Analysis

Manca F, Zhang L, Fitzgerald N, Mackay D, McAuley A, Sharp C & Lewsey J (2023) The Effect of Minimum Unit Pricing for Alcohol on Prescriptions for Treatment of Alcohol Dependence: A Controlled Interrupted Time Series Analysis. International Journal of Mental Health and Addiction. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11469-023-01070-6

Article

Mechanisms of impact of alcohol availability interventions from the perspective of 63 diverse alcohol licensing stakeholders: a qualitative interview study

O'Donnell R, Mohan A, Purves R, Maani N, Angus C, Egan M & Fitzgerald N (2023) Mechanisms of impact of alcohol availability interventions from the perspective of 63 diverse alcohol licensing stakeholders: a qualitative interview study. Drugs: Education, Prevention and Policy. https://doi.org/10.1080/09687637.2023.2205991

Article

Measuring How Public Health Stakeholders Seek to Influence Alcohol Premises Licensing in England and Scotland: The Public Health Engagement In Alcohol Licensing (PHIAL) Measure

Fitzgerald N, Mohan A, Maani N, Purves R, De Vocht F, Angus C, Henney M, Nicholls J, Nichols T, Crompton G, Mahon L, Mcquire C, Shortt N, Bauld L & Egan M (2023) Measuring How Public Health Stakeholders Seek to Influence Alcohol Premises Licensing in England and Scotland: The Public Health Engagement In Alcohol Licensing (PHIAL) Measure. Journal of Studies on Alcohol and Drugs, 84 (2), pp. 318-329. https://doi.org/10.15288/jsad.22-00020

Article

Have restrictions on alcohol advertising in Ireland affected awareness among adults? A comparative observational study using non-probability repeat cross-sectional surveys

Critchlow N, Moodie C, MacKintosh AM, Gallopel-Morvan K, Stead M & Fitzgerald N (2022) Have restrictions on alcohol advertising in Ireland affected awareness among adults? A comparative observational study using non-probability repeat cross-sectional surveys. Journal of Studies on Alcohol and Drugs. https://doi.org/10.15288/jsad.22-00099

Article

Impact of public health team engagement in alcohol licensing on health and crime outcomes in England and Scotland: A comparative timeseries study between 2012 and 2019

de Vocht F, McQuire C, Ferraro C, Williams P, Henney M, Angus C, Egan M, Mohan A, Purves R, Maani N, Shortt N, Mahon L, Crompton G, O'Donnell R, Nicholls J, Bauld L & Fitzgerald N (2022) Impact of public health team engagement in alcohol licensing on health and crime outcomes in England and Scotland: A comparative timeseries study between 2012 and 2019. The Lancet Regional Health Europe, 20, Art. No.: 100450. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.lanepe.2022.100450

Research Report

Alcohol Marketing Restrictions: Learning from International Implementation

Carters-White L, Purves R, Gadsby E, Howell R, Gallopel-Morvan K, Fitzgerald N, Stead M & Critchlow N (2022) Alcohol Marketing Restrictions: Learning from International Implementation. Alcohol Focus Scotland. https://www.alcohol-focus-scotland.org.uk/resources/alcohol-marketing-restrictions-learning-from-international-implementation.pdf

Commentary

Responsible Drinking, Conflicts of Interest, and the Elephant in the Room: A Commentary on A Scoping Review of "Responsible Drinking" Interventions by Gray, Williams & Shaffer (2020)

Petticrew M, Fitzgerald N, Maani N, McCambridge J, Pettigrew S & van Schalkwyk M (2021) Responsible Drinking, Conflicts of Interest, and the Elephant in the Room: A Commentary on A Scoping Review of "Responsible Drinking" Interventions by Gray, Williams & Shaffer (2020). Commentary on: Gray, H. , Wiley, R. , Williams, P. , & Shaffer, H. (2020). A scoping review of “Responsible Drinking” interventions. Health Communication, 1–21. https://doi-org/10.1080/10410236.2020.1733226. Health Communication, 36 (2), pp. 257-259. https://doi.org/10.1080/10410236.2020.1827541

Article

Factors influencing the implementation of screening and brief interventions for alcohol use in primary care practices: a systematic review using the COM-B system and Theoretical Domains Framework

Rosário F, Santos MI, Angus K, Pas L, Ribeiro C & Fitzgerald N (2021) Factors influencing the implementation of screening and brief interventions for alcohol use in primary care practices: a systematic review using the COM-B system and Theoretical Domains Framework. Implementation Science, 16 (1), Art. No.: 6. https://doi.org/10.1186/s13012-020-01073-0

Article

Intended and unintended consequences of the implementation of minimum unit pricing of alcohol in Scotland: a natural experiment

So V, Millard AD, Katikireddi SV, Forsyth R, Allstaff S, Deluca P, Drummond C, Ford A, Eadie D, Fitzgerald N, Graham L, Hilton S, Ludbrook A, McCartney G & Stead M (2021) Intended and unintended consequences of the implementation of minimum unit pricing of alcohol in Scotland: a natural experiment. Public Health Research, 9 (11), pp. 1-210. https://doi.org/10.3310/phr09110

Article

Estimating the Burden of Alcohol on Ambulance Callouts through Development and Validation of an Algorithm Using Electronic Patient Records

Manca F, Lewsey J, Waterson R, Kernaghan SM, Fitzpatrick D, Mackay D, Angus C & Fitzgerald N (2021) Estimating the Burden of Alcohol on Ambulance Callouts through Development and Validation of an Algorithm Using Electronic Patient Records. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 18 (12), Art. No.: 6363. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph18126363

Article

Protocol of the COVID-19 Health and Adherence Research in Scotland (CHARIS) study: understanding changes in adherence to transmission-reducing behaviours, mental and general health, in repeated cross-sectional representative survey of the Scottish population

Den Daas C, Hubbard G, Johnston M, Dixon D, CHARIS Consortium, Allan J, Fitzgerald N, Farquharson B, Hunt K, Macaden L, Maltinsky W & O'Carroll R (2021) Protocol of the COVID-19 Health and Adherence Research in Scotland (CHARIS) study: understanding changes in adherence to transmission-reducing behaviours, mental and general health, in repeated cross-sectional representative survey of the Scottish population. BMJ Open, 11 (2), Art. No.: e044135. https://doi.org/10.1136/bmjopen-2020-044135

Research Report

Health information, messaging and warnings on alcohol packaging: A focus group study with young adult drinkers in Scotland. Key Findings Report for Alcohol Focus Scotland

Jones D, Moodie C, Purves R, Fitzgerald N & Crockett R (2021) Health information, messaging and warnings on alcohol packaging: A focus group study with young adult drinkers in Scotland. Key Findings Report for Alcohol Focus Scotland. Alcohol Focus Scotland. Stirling. https://www.alcohol-focus-scotland.org.uk/resources/jones-et-al-2021-focus-group-labelling-research-report.pdf

Letter

The SPECTRUM Consortium: a new UK Prevention Research Partnership consortium focussed on the commercial determinants of health, the prevention of non-communicable diseases, and the reduction of health inequalities

Horton M, Perman-Howe PR, Angus C, Bishop J, Bogdanovica I, Brennan A, Britton J, Brose LS, Brown J, Collin J, Dockrell M, Fitzgerald N, Friel S, Gillespie D & Bauld L The SPECTRUM Consortium: a new UK Prevention Research Partnership consortium focussed on the commercial determinants of health, the prevention of non-communicable diseases, and the reduction of health inequalities. Wellcome Open Research, 6, Art. No.: 6. https://doi.org/10.12688/wellcomeopenres.16318.1

Article

Awareness of product-related information, health messages and warnings on alcohol packaging among adolescents: A cross-sectional survey in the United Kingdom

Critchlow N, Jones D, Moodie C, MacKintosh AM, Fitzgerald N, Hooper L, Thomas C & Vohra J (2020) Awareness of product-related information, health messages and warnings on alcohol packaging among adolescents: A cross-sectional survey in the United Kingdom. Journal Of Public Health, 42 (3), pp. e223-e230. https://doi.org/10.1093/pubmed/fdz080

Commentary

Commentary on Wicki et al. (2020): Strong effectiveness evidence-but what else do policymakers need?

Fitzgerald N & Lewsey J (2020) Commentary on Wicki et al. (2020): Strong effectiveness evidence-but what else do policymakers need?. Commentary on: Wicki, M., Bertholet, N., and Gmel, G. ( 2020) Estimated changes in hospital admissions for alcohol intoxication after partial bans on off‐premises sales of alcoholic beverages in the canton of Vaud, Switzerland: an interrupted time–series analysis. Addiction, https://doi.org/10.1111/add.14967.. Addiction, 115 (8), pp. 1470-1471. https://doi.org/10.1111/add.15074

Research Report

Evaluating the impact of alcohol minimum unit pricing in Scotland: Observational study of small retailers

Stead M, Critchlow N, Eadie D, Fitzgerald N, Angus K, Purves R, McKell J, Marie MacKintosh A, Mitchell H, Sumpter C & Angus C (2020) Evaluating the impact of alcohol minimum unit pricing in Scotland: Observational study of small retailers. NHS Health Scotland/Public Health Scotland. Stirling. https://www.stir.ac.uk/media/stirling/services/faculties/sport-and-health-sciences/research/documents/MUP-evaluation-Small-Convenience-Stores-report.pdf

Article

Exploring the links between unhealthy eating behaviour and heavy alcohol use in the social, emotional and cultural lives of young adults (aged 18-25): A qualitative research study

Scott S, Muir C, Stead M, Fitzgerald N, Kaner E, Bradley J, Wrieden W, Power C & Adamson A (2020) Exploring the links between unhealthy eating behaviour and heavy alcohol use in the social, emotional and cultural lives of young adults (aged 18-25): A qualitative research study. Appetite, 144, Art. No.: 104449. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.appet.2019.104449

Article

Recruiting the "Heavy-Using Loyalists of Tomorrow": An Analysis of the Aims, Effects and Mechanisms of Alcohol Advertising, Based on Advertising Industry Evaluations

Maani Hessari N, Bertscher A, Critchlow N, Fitzgerarld N, Knai C, Stead M & Petticrew M (2019) Recruiting the "Heavy-Using Loyalists of Tomorrow": An Analysis of the Aims, Effects and Mechanisms of Alcohol Advertising, Based on Advertising Industry Evaluations. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 16 (21), Art. No.: 4092. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph16214092

Article

An evaluation of the effects of lowering blood alcohol concentration limits for drivers on the rates of road traffic accidents and alcohol consumption: a natural experiment

Haghpanahan H, Lewsey J, Mackay D, McIntosh E, Pell J, Jones A, Fitzgerald N & Robinson M (2019) An evaluation of the effects of lowering blood alcohol concentration limits for drivers on the rates of road traffic accidents and alcohol consumption: a natural experiment. Lancet, 393 (10169), pp. 321-329. https://doi.org/10.1016/s0140-6736%2818%2932850-2

Article

Exploring the impact of public health teams on alcohol premises licensing in England and Scotland (ExILEnS): procotol for a mixed methods natural experiment evaluation

Fitzgerald N, Egan M, de Vocht F, Angus C, Nicholls J, Shortt N, Nichols T, Maani Hessari N, McQuire C, Purves R, Critchlow N, Mohan A, Mahon L, Sumpter C & Bauld L (2018) Exploring the impact of public health teams on alcohol premises licensing in England and Scotland (ExILEnS): procotol for a mixed methods natural experiment evaluation. BMC Medical Research Methodology, 18 (1), Art. No.: 123. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12874-018-0573-z

Article

Non-Pharmacological Interventions to Reduce Unhealthy Eating and Risky Drinking in Young Adults Aged 18-25 Years: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Scott S, Beyer F, Parkinson K, Muir C, Graye A, Kaner E, Stead M, Power C, Fitzgerald N, Bradley J, Wrieden W & Adamson A (2018) Non-Pharmacological Interventions to Reduce Unhealthy Eating and Risky Drinking in Young Adults Aged 18-25 Years: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. Nutrients, 10 (10), Art. No.: 1538. https://doi.org/10.3390/nu10101538

Article

Examining associations between body mass index in 18-25 year-olds and energy intake from alcohol: findings from the Health Survey for England and the Scottish Health Survey

Albani V, Bradley J, Wrieden W, Scott S, Muir C, Power C, Fitzgerald N, Stead M, Kaner E & Adamson A (2018) Examining associations between body mass index in 18-25 year-olds and energy intake from alcohol: findings from the Health Survey for England and the Scottish Health Survey. Nutrients, 10 (10), Art. No.: 1477. https://doi.org/10.3390/nu10101477

Article

Factors Influencing the Implementation of Screening and Brief Interventions for Alcohol Use in Primary Care Practices: A Systematic Review Protocol

Rosário F, Santos MI, Angus K, Pas L & Fitzgerald N (2018) Factors Influencing the Implementation of Screening and Brief Interventions for Alcohol Use in Primary Care Practices: A Systematic Review Protocol [Fatores Condicionantes da Implementação da Deteção Precoce e Intervenções Breves no Consumo Excessivo de Álcool nos Cuidados de Saúde Primários: Protocolo de Revisão Sistemática da Literatura]. Acta Medica Portuguesa, 31 (1), pp. 45-50. https://doi.org/10.20344/amp.9753

Article

Delivery of alcohol brief interventions in community-based youth work settings: exploring feasibility and acceptability in a qualitative study

Stead M, Parkes T, Nicoll A, Wilson S, Burgess C, Eadie D, Fitzgerald N, McKell J, Reid G, Jepson R, McAteer J & Bauld L (2017) Delivery of alcohol brief interventions in community-based youth work settings: exploring feasibility and acceptability in a qualitative study. BMC Public Health, 17 (1), Art. No.: 357. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12889-017-4256-1

Article

Non-pharmacological interventions designed to reduce health risks due to unhealthy eating behaviour and linked risky or excessive drinking in adults aged 18-25: a systematic review protocol

Scott S, Parkinson K, Kaner E, Robalino S, Stead M, Power C, Fitzgerald N, Wrieden W & Adamson A (2017) Non-pharmacological interventions designed to reduce health risks due to unhealthy eating behaviour and linked risky or excessive drinking in adults aged 18-25: a systematic review protocol. Systematic Reviews, 6 (1), Art. No.: 42. https://doi.org/10.1186/s13643-017-0434-6

Article

Implementing a Public Health Objective for Alcohol Premises Licensing in Scotland: A Qualitative Study of Strategies, Values, and Perceptions of Evidence

Fitzgerald N, Nicholls J, Winterbottom J & Katikireddi SV (2017) Implementing a Public Health Objective for Alcohol Premises Licensing in Scotland: A Qualitative Study of Strategies, Values, and Perceptions of Evidence. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 14 (3), Art. No.: 221. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph14030221

Commentary

Commentary on Anderson et al. (2016): The question is not just whether to incentivize and train practitioners on alcohol screening and brief advice, but how?

Fitzgerald N (2016) Commentary on Anderson et al. (2016): The question is not just whether to incentivize and train practitioners on alcohol screening and brief advice, but how?. Commentary on: Anderson P., Bendtsen P., Spak F., Reynolds J., Drummond C.,Segura L. et al. Improving the delivery of brief interventionsfor heavy drinking in primary health care: outcome resultsof the ODHIN five-country cluster randomized factorial trial.Addiction 2016; 111:935–45.. Addiction, 111 (11), pp. 1946-1947. https://doi.org/10.1111/add.13513

Article

Enhancing empathy in healthcare: mixed-method evaluation of a pilot project implementing the CARE Approach in primary and community care settings in Scotland

Fitzgerald N, Heywood S, Bikker A & Mercer SW (2014) Enhancing empathy in healthcare: mixed-method evaluation of a pilot project implementing the CARE Approach in primary and community care settings in Scotland. Journal of Compassionate Healthcare, 1 (1), Art. No.: 6. https://doi.org/10.1186/s40639-014-0006-8

Conference Abstract

Training multidisciplinary practitioners to deliver SBI on alcohol and other health behaviours

Fitzgerald N & Heywood S (2013) Training multidisciplinary practitioners to deliver SBI on alcohol and other health behaviours. International Network on Brief Interventions for Alcohol and Other Drugs (INEBRIA) Meeting 2013, Rome, Italy, 18/09/2013 - 20/09/2013. Addiction Science and Clinical Practice, 8 (Supplement 1), p. A26, Art. No.: A26. https://doi.org/10.1186/1940-0640-8-S1-A26

Conference Abstract

Community pharmacist involvement in minimising alcohol related risks: views of the general public in Scotland

Stewart D, Youngson E, Fitzgerald N, Watson M & Cunningham S (2013) Community pharmacist involvement in minimising alcohol related risks: views of the general public in Scotland. 2013 Royal Pharmaceutical Society conference, Birmingham, 08/09/2013 - 09/09/2013. International Journal of Pharmacy Practice, 21 (Supplement S2), pp. 5-6. https://doi.org/10.1111/ijpp.12063

Research Report

Needs Assessment of Services for Children, Parents and Families affected by Parental Substance Misuse in Edinburgh City - Summary Report

Fitzgerald N, Johnston L & Heywood S (2013) Needs Assessment of Services for Children, Parents and Families affected by Parental Substance Misuse in Edinburgh City - Summary Report. Edinburgh Alcohol and Drug Partnership. City of Edinburgh. http://www.edinburghadp.co.uk/Resources/EADPPublications/Documents/CASPM%20Needs%20Assessment%20Summary.pdf

Research Report

Supporting Communication Skills and Behaviours in Healthcare Staff: Evaluation of Two Pilots: The CARE Approach and Practice Based Small Group Learning - Summary Report

Heywood S, Fitzgerald N & Winterbottom J (2012) Supporting Communication Skills and Behaviours in Healthcare Staff: Evaluation of Two Pilots: The CARE Approach and Practice Based Small Group Learning - Summary Report. NHS Education for Scotland. Create Consultancy. http://www.nes.scot.nhs.uk/media/1574594/evaluation-of-care-pbsgl-short-summary.pdf

Conference Abstract

Evaluation of a rollout of alcohol brief interventions in health- and social-care teams following multidisciplinary training

Fitzgerald N, Molloy H & MacDonald F (2012) Evaluation of a rollout of alcohol brief interventions in health- and social-care teams following multidisciplinary training. International Network on Brief Interventions for Alcohol and Other Drugs (INEBRIA) Meeting 2011, Boston, MA, USA, 21/09/2011 - 23/09/2011. Addiction Science and Clinical Practice, 7 (Supplement 1), Art. No.: A84. http://link.springer.com/article/10.1186/1940-0640-7-S1-A84; https://doi.org/10.1186/1940-0640-7-S1-A84

Conference Abstract

A pilot study of alcohol screening and brief interventions in community pharmacies

Fitzgerald N, Stewart D, Jaffray M, Inch J, Duncan EM, Afolabi E & Ludbrook A (2012) A pilot study of alcohol screening and brief interventions in community pharmacies. International Network on Brief Interventions for Alcohol and Other Drugs (INEBRIA) Meeting 2011, Boston, MA, USA, 21/09/2011 - 23/09/2011. Addiction Science and Clinical Practice, 7 (Supplement 1), Art. No.: A22. http://link.springer.com/article/10.1186/1940-0640-7-S1-A22; https://doi.org/10.1186/1940-0640-7-S1-A22

Conference Abstract

How do health professionals learn their communication skills? Lessons for SBI implementation

Fitzgerald N (2012) How do health professionals learn their communication skills? Lessons for SBI implementation. International Network on Brief Interventions for Alcohol and Other Drugs (INEBRIA) Meeting 2011, Boston, MA, USA, 21/09/2011 - 23/09/2011. Addiction Science and Clinical Practice, 7 (Supplement 1), Art. No.: A1. https://ascpjournal.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/1940-0640-7-S1-A1; https://doi.org/10.1186/1940-0640-7-S1-A1

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Teaching

I lead on two knowledge exchange events in my role as one of two Deputy Directors of the SPECTRUM Consortium which focuses on commercial determinants of health in relation to alcohol, tobacco and food. These annual events for ECRs, policymakers and practitioners are advertised on the SPECTRUM website www.spectrum.ac.uk.

Research programmes

Research centres/groups

Research themes