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GSAPS Monthly Meetup (UK/Europe) meets for our first European Monthly Meetup with special guests from Drug Science UK
January 16, 2023 @ 10:00 am – 11:30 am PST
The Graduate Student Association for Psychedelic Studies invites you to join us at our newest Monthly Meetup beginning in 2023!
GSAPS Monthly Meetup (UK/Europe) welcomes special guests from Drug Science UK on Monday, January 16th, from 6pm-7:30pm, Universal Coordinated Time (UTC) via Zoom Meeting.
All are welcome regardless of student or professional status and timezone.
What is Drug Science?
Founded in 2010 by Professor David Nutt, Drug Science is the only completely independent, science-led drugs charity, uniquely bringing together leading drug experts from a wide range of specialisms to carry out ground-breaking research into drug harms and effects.
The Scientific Committee, represented in our talk by the brilliant Professor Jo Neill, is made up of the UK’s most accomplished, respected, and authoritative individuals in science, academia, and policy.
The committee aims to provide the public in the UK and internationally with high-quality, scientifically based information on drugs and evidence-based comment and analysis of new research. They work tirelessly to emphasise the role of science in the public discourse, providing information on the actual harms and benefits of various drugs, and challenging the myths that surround drug classification and legislation in the UK.
Drug Science’s mission is to provide an evidence base free from political or commercial influence, creating the foundation for sensible and effective drug laws. Equipping the public, media, and policymakers with the knowledge and resources to enact positive change.
Please join us for a discussion with our guests from Drug Science:
Jo Neill, Professor of Psychopharmacology
Jo Neill is a Professor of Psychopharmacology at the University of Manchester and the co-founder of b-neuro, a University-based research organisation developing new treatments for mental illness through animal models. At Drug Science, Jo is Chair of the Drug Science Medical Psychedelics Working Group, which brings together the world’s leading psychedelics academics and leaders to help guide the industry.
Jo currently works with Policy@Manchester to educate the public about the urgent need for drug law reform and suspension of Schedule 1 restrictions to enable research into the medicinal properties of currently illegal drugs. Earlier this year, Jo produced an article for the Policy@Manchester website outlining the evidence-based case to reschedule psilocybin and other drugs, including the benefits that they may bring to health, national prestige and the economy.
Dr. Anne Schlag, Head of Research @ Drug Science
Anne is a Chartered Psychologist and Head of Research at Drug Science. She has a Ph.D. in Psychology and holds Honorary Fellowships at both Imperial College London and King’s College London. When working as a lecturer at KCL, she developed her extensive knowledge of science and policy-making, risk perception, risk management, and risk communication.
Anne’s role at Drug Science largely focuses on research regarding the role of medical cannabis in the UK. She leads the research for the Medical Cannabis Working Group and has published a number of research articles exploring cannabis-based medicine, barriers to psychedelic research, drug policy, and much more. Along with Rayyan, Anne most recently released a paper investigating the value of real-world evidence in widening the evidence base on cannabis-based medicinal products.
Rayyan Zafar, Medical Research Council Ph.D. Student @ Imperial College London
Rayyan is currently a Medical Research Council Ph.D. student studying at Imperial College London and works at Drug Science as an Honorary Research Assistant where he publishes scientific reports as a member of the Medical Cannabis Working Group and the Medical Psychedelic Working Group.
Rayyan’s Ph.D. focuses on the application of multi-modal neuroimaging to understand addictions such as gambling and alcoholism and he has a particular interest in how these could be treated with psychedelics. Rayyan’s previous research with Drug Science has focused on the current clinical applications of medical cannabis, as well as reviewing issues related to medical cannabis and dependence. Drug Science has provided a platform for public outreach and Rayyan regularly blogs on issues surrounding medical cannabis for the Drug Science website.
This is a virtual meetup and will be hosted via Zoom Meeting. Please take a few moments to create a new account, complete your profile, and join the Monthly Meetup group in the “Meetings” submenu for scheduled meetings and the Zoom login information.
If you wish to help facilitate our newest meetup, contact us with a summary of your relevant background related to psychedelics/entheogens, experience facilitating virtual group spaces, and your availability to commit to meeting once monthly through the rest of 2023.