Georgia Smith
College: College of Social Sciences and International Studies
Discipline: Sociology and Philosophy
Department: Medical Sociology
Research Centre/Unit: SWDTC, ESRC
I am an ESRC funded PhD researcher aiming to develop an interdisciplinary understanding of health behaviours, in particular the use and abuse of prescription medications. My PhD study aims to qualitatively illuminate the subjective experiences of older adults (65+) using prescribed sedative-hypnotic drugs, paying particular attention to discourses surrounding dependence and addiction.
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' 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.'
Research Interests:
- Addiction (legal and prescription drugs)
- The use and abuse of drugs by older adults (65+)
- Sleep
- Social identities and the symbolic value of behaviour
- Qualitative research methods
To follow on Twitter : SmithGeorgia1
Member of: Society for the Study of Addiction, British Society of Gerontology
Office Hours Term 2: 10-11 Monday, 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
Upcoming Conferences
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
