And how is it to conduct research? Challenging, satisfying, and hell of a job!!
Before coming to study at the University of Amsterdam to attain my bachelor’s in Communication Science, the research’s world was very distant from my knowledge and interest. Still, learning to study through research opened my eyes to new perspectives and ways of thinking… to the point that when I saw the vacancy for this position at EUCAM, I almost immediately applied.
EUCAM’s main goal is to collect, exchange and to promote knowledge and experience about alcohol marketing throughout Europe, being fully independent from the alcohol industry and in no way connected or supported by the industry.
What I’m interestingly carrying on is a research for them (a real one!!); more specifically, I’m conducting a literature review on studies regarding alcohol marketing and its impact on the drinking behaviour of young people and adults. My main focus in on digital marketing, which is a bit challenging since this is a new channel/medium through which approaching consumers. As a consequence, not so many relevant studies have been published yet. At the beginning of this internship, I had to read a big deal of research articles related to alcohol policies and regulations in Europe, as well as scientific studies on the investigated topic, as to further familiarise with the theme I’m currently working on. Then, the real research process started, after having decided all the technicalities that lie behind a good research, by researching on every database agreed with our team. Indeed, what’s really nice about this internship, is the possibility of working with researchers from our university, as well as researchers around the world… experts in the field of communication, and particularly on the topic of alcohol marketing and the impact it has on people. Thanks to EUCAM, I have the chance to confront myself with professionals, that can, on top of everything, help me and give me advices; advices that I will surely not forget. Right now, we’re still in the middle of the research process, but soon we’ll start analysing and comparing all the material we have to write a paper that will be presented to EUCAM’s board. Also, the paper will hopefully be used and presented to conferences and events at which EUCAM will participate in the following months. What’s also really gratifying for me personally, is that EUCAM gives a lot of independence and freedom to self-organise the way you handle the tasks. They trust you, and the way you work!
Whilst researching for the organisation, I’m also conducting a small study, as part of the internship requirements, about digital alcohol marketing and drinking behaviour among teenagers and young adults. More in detail, I’m going to investigate whether being more aware of alcohol marketing, participate with digital alcohol marketing, and spend time on social media result into higher frequency of episodic drinking, also known as binge-drinking (that is, when a person drinks five or more drinks in one single occasion). This way, not only the study will be interesting for me, but it will also be of help for EUCAM, to further sustain the results from the literature review we’re carrying on.
To conclude (for now), I have to say that I am truly satisfied about what I’m doing, also because there is a very positive atmosphere and a lot of availability from the people I’m working with. What I’m doing is indeed challenging, but I can’t stop thinking about the satisfaction that will fulfil myself at the end of this project.
If you feel interested about this organisation, or if you’re curious about their publications as well as conferences or events, take a look at their website: https://eucam.info/about-eucam/
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