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Alasdair John MacGregor Forsyth,
BSc(Hons) Strathclyde (Geography), PhD Glasgow (Sociology)

Dr Alasdair Forsyth has been the Senior Research Fellow at the Glasgow Centre for the Study of Violence since October 1st 2004.

Dr Alasdair ForsythPublications

Most recent Peer reviewed journal articles:

1. Forsyth, A. J. M. (in press) The Impact of the Scottish Ban on Smoking in Public Places upon Nightclubs and their Patrons.  Journal of Substance Use.

2. Forsyth A. J. M. & Davidson, N. (2010) Community off-sales provision and the presence of alcohol-related detritus in residential neighbourhoods. Health & Place, 16: 2, 349 - 358.

3. Ellaway, A, Macdonald, L., Forsyth, A. J. M. & MacIntyre, S. (2010) The socio-spatial distribution of alcohol outlets in Glasgow city. Health & Place. 16: 1, 167 - 172.

4. Forsyth A. J. M. (2009) ‘Gritos de cerveza, cerveza’: el rol de la música y de los DJs en el control del desorden en los clubes nocturnes [‘Lager, lager shouting’: The role of Music and DJs in Nightclub Disorder.] Addiciones, 21: 4, 327 - 345.

5. Forsyth, A. J. M. & Lennox, J. C. (2009) Gender Differences in the Choreography of Alcohol-related Violence: An observational study of aggression within licensed premises. Journal of Substance Use. DOI: 10.1080/14659890902966463.

6. Forsyth, A. J. M. (2009) Front, Side and Back-loading: Reasons for drinking alcohol purchased off-premises before during and after attending nightclubs. Journal of Substance Use. DOI: 10.1080/14659890902966497.

7. Forsyth A. J. M. & Davidson, N. (2009) The nature and extent of Illegal Drug and Alcohol-related Litter in a Scottish Social Housing Community: A photographic investigation. Addiction Research & Theory. DOI: 10.1080/16066350802559464.

8. Frisher, F. & Forsyth, A. J. M. (2009) Assessing the validity of recent estimates of problematic drug use in England. Journal of Epidemiology & Community Health. 63: 1, 87-88.

9. Forsyth, A. J. M. & Cloonan, M. (2008) Alco-pop?: The Use of Popular Music in Glasgow Pubs. Popular Music and Society, 31: 1, 57 – 78.

10. Forsyth, A. J. M. (2008) Banning Glassware from Nightclubs in Glasgow (Scotland): Observed impacts, compliance and patron’s views. Alcohol & Alcoholism, 43: 1, 111 – 117.

Selected other works since joining the Centre:

1. McKinlay, W., Forsyth, A. J. M. & Khan, F. (2009) Alcohol and Violence among Young Male Offenders in Scotland. SPS Occasional Paper No. 1 / 09. Edinburgh: Scottish Prison Service.
http://www.sps.gov.uk/MultimediaGallery/80c8249a-3305-41b7-96ba-970412a81c68.pdf.

2. Forsyth A. J. M. (2008) Foreword - In Graham, K. & Homel R. (Eds.) Raising the Bar: Understanding and preventing violence in bars, clubs and pubs, xi – xvi. Cullompton: Willan.

3. Forsyth, A. J. M. & Davidson, N. (2008) Research paper - Passing The Buck? Are local licensed grocers to blame for alcohol-related incivility in residential communities? Scottish Journal of Criminal Justice Studies, 14: July, 63 – 95.

4. Forsyth, A. J. M., Davidson, N. & Lennox, J. L. (2007) On-line report - An Investigation into the environmental impact of off-licensed premises on residential neighbourhoods. For the Alcohol Education Research Council.
http://www.aerc.org.uk/documents/pdf/finalReports/052_Impact_of_Off-license.pdf

5. Galloway, J., Forsyth, A. J. M. & Shewan, D. (2007) On-line report - Young People’s Street Drinking Behaviour: Investigating the Influence of Marketing & Subculture. London: Alcohol Education Research Council.
http://www.aerc.org.uk/documents/pdf/finalReports/044Steet_Drinking.pdf

6. Forsyth, A. J. M. (2006) On-line report - Assessing the relationships between late night drinks marketing and alcohol-related disorder in public space. London: Alcohol Education Research Council.
http://www.aerc.org.uk/documents/pdf/finalReports/045%20late%20night%20drinking.pdf

7. Forsyth, A. J. M. (2005) Research paper - Representation of illegal drug case stories in the Scottish Press. Scottish Journal of Criminal Justice Studies, 11: July, 32 – 65.

8. Forsyth, A. J. M. (2005) Article - Drug Scares: The really long-term effects. Criminal Justice Matters, Crime and the media, 59: Spring, 18 – 19 & 37.

9. Forsyth, A. J. M., Cloonan, M. & Barr, J. (2005) On-line Report - Factors Associated with Alcohol-related Problems within Licensed Premises. Glasgow: Greater Glasgow NHS Board.
http://www.nhsggc.org.uk/content/assetList.asp?aType=15&aSType=184&page=s775_2

10. Forsyth, A. J. M. & Furlong, A. (2004) Book Chapter - Counting Access: Problems and Puzzles, Ch.12, In Osborne, M., Gallacher, J. & Crossan, B. (Eds.) Researching Widening Access: Issues and approaches in an international context, 163 – 179. Abingdon: Routledgefalmer.

Greatest hits[citations as of 01/01/10]:

1. Forsyth, A. J. M. (1996) Places and Patterns of Drug Use on the Scottish Dance Scene. Addiction, 91: 4, 511 - 521. [123]

2. Hammersley, R. H., Forsyth, A. J. M., Morrison, V. L. & Davies, J. B. (1989) The Relationship between Crime and Opioid Use. British Journal of Addiction, 84: 9, 1029 - 1043. [103]

3. Forsyth, A. J. M. & Furlong, A. (2000) Socio-economic disadvantage and access to higher education. Bristol: Policy Press. [74]

4. Forsyth, A. J. M., Barnard, M. & McKeganey, N. P. (1997) Musical Preference as an Indicator of Adolescent Drug Use. Addiction,92: 10, 1317 – 1325. [72]

5. Hammersley, R. H., Forsyth, A. J. M. & Lavelle, T. L. (1990) The Criminality of New Drug Users in Glasgow. British Journal of Addiction, 85: 12, 1583 - 1594. [53]

6. McKeganey, N. P., Forsyth, A. J. M., Barnard, M. & Hay, G. (1996) Designer drinks and drunkenness in a sample of Scottish schoolchildren. British Medical Journal, 313, 401. [42]

7. Hastings, G., Stead, M., McDermott, L., Forsyth, A. J. M., MacKintosh, A-M., Rayner, M., Godfrey, C., Caraher, M. & Angus, K. (2003) Review of the Research on the Effects of Food promotion to Children. London: Food Standards Agency. [38+3]
http://www.foodstandards.gov.uk/multimedia/pdfs/foodpromotiontochildren1.pdf

8. Hammersley, R. H., Lavelle, T. L., & Forsyth, A. J. M. (1990) Buprenorphine and temazepam - abuse. British Journal of Addiction, 85: 2, 301 - 303. [40]

9. Forsyth, A. J. M. & Furlong, A. (2003) Losing Out?: Socio-economic disadvantage and experience in higher education. Bristol: Policy Press. [27+10+2]

10. Forsyth, A. J. M., MacIntyre, S. & Anderson, A. (1994) Diets for Disease? Intra-urban variation in reported food consumption in Glasgow. Appetite: Determinants and Consequences of Eating and Drinking, 22: 3, 259 - 274. * [34]

Some old favourites:

1. Forsyth, A. J. M., Hammersley, R. H., Lavelle, T. L. & Murray, K. J. (1992) Geographical aspects of Scoring Illegal Drugs. British Journal of Criminology, 32: 3, 292 - 309.

2. Forsyth, A. J. M. (2000) Psychoactive Drugs: The Pharmacopoeia of substance use. London: The Stationery Office.

3. Forsyth, A. J. M., Barnard, M. & McKeganey, N. P. (1997) Alcopop Supernova: Are alcoholic lemonades (alcopops) responsible for under-age drunkenness? International Journal of Health Promotion and Education, 35: 2, 53 – 58.

4. Forsyth, A. J. M. (2001) Distorted?: A quantitative exploration of the reporting drug fatalities in the popular press. International Journal of Drug Policy, 12: 5/6, 435 - 453.

5. Forsyth, A. J. M., Farquhar, D., Gemmell, M., Shewan, D. & Davies, J. B. (1993) The Dual Use of Opioids and Temazepam by Drug Injectors in Glasgow. Drug and Alcohol Dependence, 32, 277 - 280.

6. Forsyth, A. J. M. (1995) Ecstasy and Illegal Drug Design: A new concept in drug use. International Journal of Drug Policy, 6: 3, 193 - 209.

7. Forsyth, A. J. M., Hastings, G. & Anderson, S. (2004) ‘The Producer Perspective: Potential Strategies for the Marketing of Snus’, Chapter 5, In Willemsen, M., Scholten, C. & van der Veen, J. (Eds.), Lifting the EU ban on oral tobacco: Overview of the possible effects and implications, ENSP (European Network for Smoking Prevention) Status Report on Oral Tobacco, 69 – 85. Leiden: Research voor Beleid.
http://www.stivoro.nl/Upload/_publdocs/Oral%20Tobacco%20Report.pdf

8. Forsyth, A. J. M. & Barnard, M. (2000) Preferred Drinking Locations of Scottish Adolescents. Health and Place, 6: 2, 105 - 115.

9. Rahman, M. Z., Ditton, J. & Forsyth, A. J. M. (1989) Variations in Needle Sharing Practices among Intravenous Drug Users in Possil (Glasgow). British Journal of Addiction, 84: 8, 923 - 927.

10. Forsyth, A. J. M., Gilmour, C., MacKenzie, K. & Murphy, G. (1986) Drugs in Focus. Glasgow: Manpower Services Commission.

Research interests

  1. Alcohol-related violence
  2. Drugs and crime / crime reduction
  3. Geographical representations of deprivation or disadvantage
  4. ‘Glassing’ risk, glass detritus and accidental injury
  5. Sonic governance (music/dancing) and the night-time economy
  6. Public health risks / harms from alcohol and other drugs
  7. Portrayals of drug use in the media (marketing, entertainment, news)

Previous posts

  • Research Fieldworker, Addiction Research Group, University of Strathclyde (1985-86)
  • Research Assistant, Addiction Research Group, University of Strathclyde (1987)
  • Research Officer, Possil Drug Project, Greater Glasgow Health Board (1988)
  • Research Assistant, Behavioural Sciences, University of Glasgow (1988-91)
  • Research Associate, Addiction Research Group, University of Strathclyde (1991-92)
  • Research Assistant, MRC Medical Sociology Unit, University of Glasgow (1992-93)
  • Research Assistant, Criminology Research Unit, University of Glasgow (1993-94).
  • Research Fellow, Centre for Drug Misuse Research, University of Glasgow (1994-98)
  • Research Associate, Youth Research Unit. University of Glasgow (1998–2002).
  • Research Assistant, Centre for Social Marketing, University of Strathclyde (2002-03)
  • Research Assistant, Centre for Life-long Learning, Glasgow Caledonian University (2003)
  • Research Fellow, Department of Adult & Continuing Education, University of Glasgow (2004)

 

His PhD thesis examined drug use in the dance (rave scene) of 1990s Glasgow and is available online here:
https://dspace.gla.ac.uk/bitstream/1905/184/1/97forsyth_phd.pdf

Dr Forsyth also has a library of press cuttings about substance use and addictions containing over 100,000 items.

Current Activity

Dr Forsyth is currently employed as the Senior Research Fellow on the Scottish Centre for Crime and Justice Research, theme Violence Risk and Public Health (ends 31/10/10)

Dr Forsyth currently teaches on the University’s MSc Forensic Psychology and BA Criminology / LLB programmes and he is also the course coordinator (since 1999-2000) of the evening course ‘Issues in Drug Use Research’ (IDUR) an Option on the MRes programme at the University of Glasgow.

Updated: 11 January, 2010 | Site editor | Legal