Dr Georgia Smith
College: College of Social Sciences and International Studies
Discipline: Sociology and Philosophy
Department: Sociology
Research Centre/Unit: SWDTC, ESRC
- My primary interests are:
- Ageing
- Addiction (legal and prescription drugs)
- Sleep
- Social identities and the symbolic value of behaviour
- Qualitative research methods
My ESRC-funded interdiscplinary PhD research explored the experiences of older adults using prescribed sleeping medication, paying particular attention to discourses surrounding dependence and addiction. Placing the night 'centre stage', I argue that the consumption of sleeping tablets can be conceptualised as 'emotional management.' Via use, older individuals can elude the emotional, physical and psychic threats of night-time.
I teach at the University of Exeter on the modules 'SOC3086 Addiction', 'SOC1039 Social Issues: Crime and Deviance', 'SOC2085 Health, Illness and Bodies in Contemporary Society: Medicine and Social Control' , 'SOC2070 Pharmaceutical Cultures', and 'SOC1008 Artifacts: Imagining Social Worlds.'
I am also a research associate on a Cancer Research UK funded qualitative study, 'Reframing Stop Smoking Services in Response to E-cigarette Use: An Exploratory Stakeholder Study.' Roles include undertaking in-depth interviews and developing a coding framework for analysis. In addition, I assisted Dr. Hannah Farrimond on her recent study, 'E-cigarette Regulation and Policy: UK Vapers' Perspectives.'
Member of: Society for the Study of Addiction, British Society of Gerontology
Office Hours Term 2: Friday 10.30, Byrne House, Streatham Campus
Publications
Smith, G. & Farrimond, H. (2018) Active ageing, emotional care and the threat of stigma: Identity management in older adults using sleeping medication long-term, Health: An Interdisciplinary Journal for the Social Study of Health, Illness and Medicine
Conferences & Research Showcases
Smith, G (2015) The Use of Prescribed Sedative-Hypnotic Drugs by UK Older Adults, Society for the Study of Addiction Annual Symposium, York, 4-6th Nov
Smith, G (2016) Walking the Tightrope: The Experiences of Sleeping Medication Use by Older Adults Living at Home, BSA MedSoc Group and Chesci Conference, Plymouth, 15th Feb
​Smith, G (2016) The Experience of Sleeping Medication Use by Older Adults Living at Home: Early Findings, Centre for Health and Social Care, Bristol, 21st April
Smith, G (2016) The Experience of Sleeping Medication Use by Older Adults Living at Home: Early Findings, University of Exeter Postgraduate Research Showcase, Exeter, 25th April
Smith, G (2016) Walking the Tightrope: The Experiences of Sleeping Medication Use by Older Adults Living at Home, University of Exeter Annual PhD Conference, Exeter, 5-6th May
Smith, G (2016) The Experience of Sleeping Medication Use by Older Adults Living at Home: Early Findings, University of Bristol Doctoral College Research Showcase, Bristol, 9th May
Smith, G (2016) Walking the Tightrope: The Experiences of Sleeping Medication Use by Older Adults Living at Home, Society for the Study of Addiction Postgraduate Conference, Bath, 7th July
Smith, G (2017) Active Ageing, Emotional Care and the Threat of Stigma: Identity Management by Older Adults Using Prescribed Sleeping Medication Long-term, University of Exeter Postgraduate Conference, Exeter, 10th May
South West Public Health Scientific Conference, Bristol, 13th March
British Society of Gerontology Annual Conference, Swansea, 5-7th July
European Sociological Association Annual Conference, Athens, 29th Aug-1st September
Society for the Study of Addiction Annual Symposium, Newcastle, 9-10th Nov
Impact
Smith, G (2017) Addiction and Medication Abuse in Later Life:
The Case of Sedative-hypnotics & Tricylic Anti-depressants, University of Exeter Medical School, 8th May
Smith, G (2017) The Use of Prescribed Sedative-Hypnotic Drugs by UK Older Adults, Totnes, University of the Third Age (U3A), 25th May
