My PhD research explored how the alcohol industry engages with local places and communities in the UK through corporate social responsibility (CSR) initiatives, and what this means for efforts to reduce alcohol-related harm. My research sits within the ‘Commercial Determinants of Health’ field, which examines how commercial activities and corporate interests can influence people’s health, policy, and the environments in which they live. Businesses often present CSR activities as a way to contribute to the public good. However, public health researchers have raised questions about how the alcohol industry’s involvement in tackling alcohol-related harm may also serve its wider commercial and political interests. From this perspective, CSR activities may help the industry build a positive public image and present itself as a responsible partner in reducing harm. This can strengthen its position in discussions about how to address alcohol-related problems and create opportunities to engage with policymakers and influence policy decisions. These concerns reflect the potential for commercial interests to conflict with public health goals. While previous research has explored these issues in relation to national policy and the alcohol industry’s engagement with policymakers, less is known about how they may play out in local communities, partnerships and decision-making.

My research explored these issues through a qualitative case study of ‘Community Alcohol Partnerships’ (CAP). These are alcohol industry-funded schemes that bring together local organisations, including local authorities, police, schools, community groups and alcohol retailers, to address alcohol-related harm among young people. Drawing on CAP documents and social media, policy consultation responses from CAP’s industry funders, and interviews with 42 people involved in or connected to CAP in Scotland, I examined how these partnerships are presented, understood and experienced, and the significance of ideas of ‘community’ and ‘place’ to the alcohol industry.

During my PhD, I have also contributed to wider projects on unhealthy commodity industries, including tobacco, vapes, and unhealthy food.