In 2022 Dr Suzana Sukovic and Dr Tony Stojkovski were awarded the ALIA Research Grant Award for their research into learning and information behaviours around recreational substances and adolescents’ perceptions of the information and the sources of information they use. Join us to hear about their research project! 

In many countries, there has been a documented reduction in smoking and drinking among young people for a long period of time. However, the trends are changing with significant increases in the use of some substances. In Australia, there is a substantial increase in substance use among young women, including vaping, drinking, and the use of illicit drugs. Despite information resources available to educate young people and learning about the dangers of these substances at school, the use is on the rise.

The objective of the research project was to investigate adolescents’ views about recreational substance use, exploring how young women perceive substance use and the information they receive. The lens of epistemic wellbeing was used to understand how young people learn to live a better life.

The Research Review Seminar will share the revealing findings from a survey and focus groups of young women from Year 9 to post-secondary education about their experiences with peers, their opinions, attitudes, and influences related to substance use. Presenters will discuss the rich insights into information worlds, pointing towards a gap between what and how young people learn about drinking, vaping and drugs, and what they think they need to know to be prepared for real life. The researchers will also give an overview of some key recommendations for education programs and information services. 

Suzana Sukovic
Dr Suzana Sukovic is the Director of College Research at Presbyterian Ladies’ College Sydney, and an Industry Fellow at the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences, UTS. She has held leadership positions across the secondary, tertiary, and workplace education sectors, including library, research, and teaching roles. Suzana is an active practice-based researcher with interests in AI in education, adolescents’ information behaviour and epistemic wellbeing, transliteracy, boundary crossing, and interactions with technology. Suzana has been the founder, Convenor and Co-convenor of ALIA LARK since 2012, and a member of IFLA’s Library Theory and Research Section. Through these roles, she has promoted research within library and information practice at both national and international levels.

Tony Stojkovski
Dr Tony Stojkovski is the Assistant to Head of Curriculum at Presbyterian Ladies’ College Sydney, with a background in Personal Development, Health and Physical Education (PDHPE) teaching and leadership. 

A Zoom link to join the meeting will be sent to you the day before the webinar.

This event will be recorded and sent to attendees following the event.

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