My Journey into Gambling Research
My name is Heather Wardle, and my professional life has been devoted to understanding gambling, its impacts on society, and how public policy can respond to the risks and harms associated with it. Over the past two decades, I have worked as a social scientist studying gambling behaviour, public health, and regulatory systems in the United Kingdom and internationally. My research focuses on understanding how gambling affects individuals, families, and communities, and how governments and institutions can design policies that reduce harm while acknowledging that gambling is a widespread social activity.
I currently serve as Professor of Gambling Research and Policy at the University of Glasgow, where I am also co-director of the research group Gambling Research Glasgow. In this role, I collaborate with researchers, policymakers, and health experts to examine how gambling technologies and industry practices shape behaviour and public health outcomes.
My academic career has been guided by a simple question: how do gambling environments influence people’s lives, and how can research help design better policies to reduce harm?
Early Academic Interests and Education
When I began my career in social research, my interests focused broadly on public health, social inequalities, and behavioural risk. Early in my academic journey, I became increasingly interested in gambling as a social phenomenon. Gambling has long been embedded in culture and entertainment, yet it also raises complex social and health challenges.
Over time, I began focusing more directly on gambling-related behaviour and the broader systems that shape it. My research combines social science, epidemiology, and policy analysis, allowing me to study gambling not only as an individual behaviour but also as part of a larger social environment.
My work has contributed to some of the largest health and behavioural surveys conducted in Britain, including national studies examining gambling behaviour and wellbeing.
These experiences helped shape my understanding that gambling research must go beyond individual psychology. It must also consider social inequalities, economic factors, technological changes, and regulatory systems.
My Research Focus
Throughout my career, my research has concentrated on several key themes:
- Gambling as a public health issue
- The relationship between technology and gambling behaviour
- The impact of gambling on families and communities
- The development of policy responses and regulatory frameworks
- The importance of including lived experiences of people affected by gambling harm
Much of my work explores how gambling environments are evolving due to digital technologies. Online gambling, mobile betting platforms, and gamified design features have transformed how people interact with gambling products.
Understanding these technological changes is essential because they can alter the risks associated with gambling and influence patterns of behaviour across different populations.
Academic Career and Institutional Work
My academic career has involved collaboration with several major research institutions in the United Kingdom. Over the years, I have worked with interdisciplinary teams exploring gambling harms, addiction behaviours, and public health policy.
One of my current roles is helping lead the Lancet Public Health Commission on Gambling, an international research initiative examining gambling from a global public health perspective.
The commission seeks to understand how gambling harms affect populations worldwide and how policy interventions can reduce those harms. It also examines how modern technology and marketing practices have expanded access to gambling products.
My Professional Career Timeline
Below is an overview of the major institutions where I have worked during my career.
| Year | Institution | Role | Focus |
|---|---|---|---|
| Early Career | National Centre for Social Research | Social Researcher | Public health and behavioural surveys |
| 2010s | London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine | Researcher in Public Health | Gambling harms and health policy |
| 2018–Present | University of Glasgow | Professor of Gambling Research and Policy | Public health, policy, and gambling research |
| Current | Gambling Research Glasgow | Co-Director | Interdisciplinary research on gambling behaviour |
Major Research Contributions
Over the years, I have contributed to a wide range of research projects focused on gambling behaviour and its impacts. One important area of my work has been national gambling surveys, which provide valuable data on how people gamble and how gambling behaviour changes over time.
For example, I have contributed to the British Gambling Prevalence Survey, one of the most important datasets used to understand gambling participation and harm in Great Britain.
My research has also examined the relationship between gambling and health outcomes. Studies have shown that gambling harms can include financial difficulties, relationship problems, mental health challenges, and increased risk of other addictive behaviours.
These findings reinforce the importance of treating gambling harms as a public health issue, rather than focusing solely on individual responsibility.
Selected Publications and Research Work
Below are some examples of research publications and projects I have contributed to.
| Year | Research Title | Publication / Source | Link |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2018 | Measuring Gambling-Related Harms: A Framework for Action | Public Health Research | View Publication |
| 2019 | Gambling Harms as a Public Health Issue | Academic Research Project | Research Overview |
| 2020 | Poverty, Inequality and COVID-19 | Public Health Journal | Publication Page |
| 2024 | Lancet Public Health Commission on Gambling | Global Health Research | Commission Coverage |
Interactive Career Overview
Below is a simple interactive table showing key stages of my professional career.
Career Milestone Timeline
Select a milestone on the timeline above to explore professional achievements…
My Role in Global Gambling Policy
Beyond academic research, I frequently contribute to discussions about gambling policy and regulation. Governments, health organizations, and regulatory bodies often rely on research evidence when designing gambling legislation.
I have provided expert advice to parliamentary committees and international organizations and have participated in global discussions about the future of gambling regulation.
My work aims to ensure that policy decisions are informed by rigorous research rather than assumptions or industry narratives.
My Vision for the Future of Gambling Research
Looking ahead, I believe that gambling research will become increasingly interdisciplinary. The gambling environment is evolving rapidly due to technological innovation, digital platforms, and changing regulatory systems.
Future research must address questions such as:
- How do mobile technologies influence gambling behaviour?
- What regulatory strategies can reduce harm effectively?
- How can public health systems respond to gambling addiction?
- How can the voices of people affected by gambling harms shape policy decisions?
By addressing these questions, researchers can help build evidence-based approaches that balance individual freedom with social responsibility.
Closing Reflections
When I began my work in gambling research, the field was still relatively small. Today it has grown into a global interdisciplinary area that includes psychology, sociology, public health, economics, and policy studies.
My goal has always been to produce research that improves understanding and helps societies respond more effectively to the challenges associated with gambling.
I continue to believe that rigorous research, transparent debate, and evidence-based policy are essential if we are to address the harms associated with gambling while recognising its place within modern entertainment culture.
