Queen’s University Belfast is delighted to announce that Dr Gillian Shorter, Reader in Clinical Psychology in the School of Psychology, has been elected the next President of the Kettil Bruun Society for Social and Epidemiological Research on Alcohol (KBS). She will take up the two-year post this week, at the close of the Society’s 50th-anniversary symposium, which takes place in Glasgow from 9 to 13 June 2025.

Founded in 1983 and named after the Finnish alcohol-policy pioneer, the Kettil Bruun Society is the world’s leading forum for comparative, interdisciplinary research on alcohol use and harm. Its annual symposia bring together diverse disciplines such as epidemiologists, clinicians, policy makers, and social scientists to share evidence and shape policy from more than fifty countries.

Dr Shorter brings two decades of alcohol and other drug research experience to the Presidency. Her work focuses on improving the health and wellbeing of people who experience, or are at risk of substance-related harm, particularly those not currently in treatment. She has been active in policy environments including across Ireland jurisdictions, UK Parliament, and at the UN. She directs the MSc in Clinical Health Psychology at Queen’s and holds visiting appointments at Tampere University in Finland and Trinity College Dublin.

Commenting on her election, Dr Shorter said: “It is an honour to lead KBS as we celebrate fifty years of pioneering research and global collaboration. Working with our international co-ordinating committee, my priorities are inclusive participation bringing together colleagues from the Global North and South at every career stage, and to ensure our evidence keeps shaping policies and practices that reduce alcohol-related harm where it is felt most acutely. Following on from the brilliant leadership of outgoing President Dr Justyna Klingemann from Poland, I look forward to guiding the Society into the next half-century and beyond”.

Dr Shorter becomes the Society’s first president from Northern Ireland. Her election sustains the tradition of leadership from both the UK and Ireland in global alcohol-policy research. It follows UK-based presidencies such as Professor Petra Meier (2021–2023) and Professor Moira Plant (1999–2001).

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Further information:
• Dr Shorter’s academic profile – Queen’s University Belfast
• Kettil Bruun Society – www.kettilbruun.org
• KBS 2025 Glasgow symposium – www.kbs2025scotland.org