Alcohol consumption and guidelines – an interview with Richard de Visser

University of Sussex psychologist Dr Richard de Visser will be discussing alcohol consumption and asking Do Drinking Guidelines Make Sense? at his British Science Festival talk at the University of Brighton campus on 7 September.

‘It’s important to know how we can make healthier choices about alcohol use’

What first sparked your interest in science?

I think I have always wanted to know how and why things work, but since becoming aware of social sciences, I have wanted to know more about what individuals do in different social contexts.

What’s it like to have a ‘eureka’ moment?

I'll tell you if I have one.

What will the audience learn at your event?

Why we have alcohol intake guidelines, what they are good for and why they will never be perfect (see my first answer above).

What’s important about your area of research?

Alcohol is one of the most important modifiable influences on morbidity and mortality, so it is important to know how we can help people to make healthier choices about alcohol use

Which scientific discovery or invention has made the greatest difference to your life?

Vaccination/immunization ... and I guess I have to say fermentation to produce alcohol.

Which scientific mystery would you most like solved?

Why Donald Trump's skin is that colour.

Which scientists (alive, dead or fictional) would you invite to a summer picnic?

I would not invite any dead ones, as they might attract flies. The fictional ones could not come. The “molecular gastronomist” Heston Blumenthal?

Dr Richard de Visser will be discussing alcohol consumption and asking do drinking guidelines make sense? for the British Science Festival.