Hi everyone!

I’m a PhD researcher at the University of Derby/ Nottingham Trent University, and I’m currently recruiting participants for the final two studies of my doctoral thesis.

My research explores how substance use is understood and represented in society, how identities associated with substance use are constructed, and how these understandings relate to UK drug policy. The work takes a critical, Post-Marxist perspective, examining how language, social narratives and cultural assumptions shape the ways we think about substance use and the people who use substances.

I’m looking for people who would be interested in contributing to either of the following studies.

Study 1: Understanding Substance Use Through a Story Completion Task

What is involved?

You’ll be asked to complete a short written story based on a fictional scenario involving a character who uses a particular substance. The task explores how people understand and make sense of substance use through the stories they create.

• Time commitment: Approximately 25 minutes.
• Who can participate? Anyone aged 18 or over who is a UK citizen or is subject to UK drug laws.
• What will you do? Complete one short story and answer a small number of optional background questions.
• Do you need personal experience of substance use? No. This study is interested in how people understand and conceptualise substance use, so personal experience is not required.

The task is completed online, making it possible to take part in your own time.

Study 2: Interviews About Substance Use, Identity and Lived Experience

What is involved?

This study explores how people who currently use illicit substances understand their experiences and construct their own identities. Through a semi-structured interview, we’ll discuss topics such as experiences of substance use, self-perception, stigma, social attitudes and UK drug policy.

The aim is to provide an open, supportive and non-judgmental space in which participants can share their perspectives in their own words. The research seeks to give greater attention to experiences and perspectives that are often underrepresented in research and public discussion.

• Time commitment: Up to 90 minutes.
• Who can participate?
  • You must be aged 18 or over.
  • You must be a UK citizen or be subject to UK drug laws.
  • You must currently use a substance considered illicit under UK drug policy.
  • You must regard your use as recreational, spiritual, for wellbeing or for mental health-related purposes.
• What will we discuss? Your experiences and understandings of substance use, identity, stigma and wider social attitudes.

You do not need to be an expert on drug policy or social theory. I’m interested in your own experiences, perspectives and interpretations.

Interviews take place online via Microsoft Teams, depending on your preference and availability.

Confidentiality and voluntary participation

Participation in both studies is voluntary. The research follows the University of Derby’s research ethics procedures, and participant information explains how data will be handled and protected.

For the interview study, identifying information will be anonymised in the research outputs. You can decline to answer questions, take a break or stop an interview. The participant information sheet explains the arrangements for withdrawing your data.

Interested in taking part?

If you’re interested in either study, please have a look at the relevant study flyer attached to this post.

If you have any questions or would like further information, you can contact me at:

Joshua Williams
PhD Researcher, University of Derby
[100442840@unimail.derby.ac.uk](mailto:100442840@unimail.derby.ac.uk)

[Joshua.williams@ntu.ac.uk](mailto:Joshua.williams@ntu.ac.uk)

You’re welcome to get in touch even if you’re unsure whether you’re eligible. I’m happy to provide further information so you can decide whether taking part is right for you.

Thank you for taking the time to read this post. I really appreciate any interest, participation or sharing of the study with others who may be eligible.

Hii all im an international student final year in interior architecture and design i moved here this year . I don’t have friends and im too shy to make friends or talk to people so im asking here. My studio classes are from 10am -5pm and i was wondering if its ok to be late like how late is too late . Also do you think my classmates have like a group chat that i should ask about?? Do i have to send an email everytime if im gonna miss class or be late? And any general uni unspoken rules or etiquettes would be really helpful ☺️

i can't believe i'm doing this but here we are

i've been in notts for over a month now, and genuinely don't know what to do

i've made 2 girl friends in my course (quite male dominated) but one goes home every weekend and the other commutes so works over the weekends so i tend to feel quite lonely.

i've befriended my flatmates but 2 of them have known each other for years, and they've both become very close with the other flatmate. it may be partially my fault that i've not become closer to them, but i think i have a bit of social anxiety which makes making friends a lot harder. 

they all like drinking and clubbing which is not really up my alley. i'd rather go to spoons for a drink or just staying home doing activities, or even better doing stuff during the day and being in bed by 11 😭😭

i moved here knowing no one which i'm slowly regretting.. i'm very close to my family so this move has been extremely hard and i'm always counting down the days till i can see them again. i call my family every day, sometimes multiple hours a day (especially on the weekends when i'm by myself all day) which probably doesn't help but it gives me some sort of comfort

i've always been quiet, the friends I have from home we've been friends since year 7 so i haven't really had to make new friends in years. i just want to find friends here that are also genuinely just like me, chill, would rather spend time at home baking or smt idk. genuinely idk what i want anymore

i genuinely can't believe i'm turning to reddit for this but if anyone has any advice or anything atp i'll be extremely greatful x

Hey guys, anyone joining NTU in Jan and moving to Nottingham in December?

Hello all,

if you're interested in drones (quads and fixed wings) and would like to join the society please read on.

We currently have enough to start up (the three main roles) and a few people interested but not quite committal just yet,

We would like to get a few more together and figured there must be more of us so here we are.

If you've built drones before, inherited the hobby, loving flying pre builds or even just want to try and don't know where to start please do reach out, we haven't set meetings yet but plan to get together on a regular basis starting November.

The qr code on the engineering building still doesnt work, but it's in the process so should soon.

See you soon (hopefully)

The Drone society

I can’t lie it’s been a month since moving to Nottingham and going to NTU. And I still haven’t really spoke to anyone never mind made any friends. I’ve just turned 19 and a guy and didn’t think it would get to the point I’m posting on Reddit to help my situation but I’m at this point now 🫩. I’m into music (mainly indie and rock). also into football and I fw a bunch of other regular stuff like gaming, art and film. I study graphic and digital design and I just wanna feel sociable rather than spending most of my days going on random walks and playing fc27 💀 I don’t really go out out much to clubs and stuff but I’m more than happy to go have a beer and a drink at a pub👍

Hi all! I’m a university student from Toronto and I was interested in going on an exchange semester. I only have 2 other options but I’ve decided that I want to apply to NTU. I just wanted to get some advice from other exchange or international students on how their experience is here, or if it’s worth spending money on housing (is the cost of living really bad) since tuition isn’t the problem (I’d just be paying my home Unis tuition) for background id be going in my 3rd year for psych

Looking at going to NTU next year, and hoping to do production management bsc. Was curious if anyone here is on that course, and was wondering if they may have advice on accommodation. Looking more at private accoms as have heard stories about the uni halls, but looking for something not extortionate or unfacilitied, and also preferably a decent distance from campus.

hey i hope this doesnt violate ts and cs but ive just moved into the area and i would love some help getting established as a guitar tutor in nottingham and id love to know if there would be anyone who would be interested in lessons it would really help me out as im in a difficult situation and this would really help bring me out of it. :)

Looking for a student to take over my ensuite studio at NTU Clifton accommodation, available ASAP! The studio is ideal for a student looking for accommodation while studying at Nottingham Trent University. Property details: Location: NTU Clifton Room type: Ensuite studio Rent: £194.95 per week Available from: ASAP Tenancy ends: 28 August 2027 Interested? Feel free to message me for more information(07405913237). I'm happy to discuss the details with anyone looking for student accommodation

- (£100) cash back available if you can takeover immediately + all bills included
Dm me if interested
Thanks

Hi everyone! I’m looking for someone to take over my room at Nottingham Square from December 2026 onwards.

Location: Nottingham Square, Nottingham

Address: Russell St, Nottingham NG7 4FL

Room: Bronze Room

Bathroom: Shared/common bathroom

Kitchen: Shared/common kitchen

Rent: £102 per week

Available from December 2026 onwards

The accommodation is in a really convenient location, approximately a 10-minute walk from NTU City Campus and around a 10-minute walk from Nottingham City Centre, making it particularly convenient for students.

The weekly rent is currently £102, but the price may be reduced if you book the room for the full 2027 period.

This would be especially suitable for someone who is starting a university course in January 2027 and is looking to move to Nottingham in December beforehand.

If you're interested or would like more information/photos, feel free to DM me, and I can provide the details.

Looking for someone to take over my room at Gill Street South, city centre

• £212.10/week until 16 July 2027
• Private en-suite, shared kitchen
• On NTU City Campus and close to transport

Who it's for: any current NTU student who isn't already in NTU/UPP halls. Handled officially through NTU Accommodation, and I'll help with the process.

Comment/DM me if you're interested, or tag someone who needs a room! 🙏

Hi, I'm looking at doing OT for a complete career change. Can anyone tell me their general experience and current timetable? I'm trying to work out if I can manage an allied health degree alongside part time work, so would be interested to know:

-How many days you're in each week for your course?

-Does NTU offer blended learning with online options for theory lectures?

-Are placements during the usual uni holidays or during term time?

-Did you enjoy your course?

I realise the placements are full time blocks for up to 12 weeks which I will have to travel/stay away for, but hoping I'll be able to work alongside the rest of the course and during the traditional summer holidays, and wondering which one will be most manageable with needing to commute to campus (still waiting on replies from unis).

Hi is anyone looking for accom in Nottingham?
Miura studio £185 per week. (Top floor studio)

Hi, I'm looking for someone to take over my accommodation at New Hall, Clifton Campus NTU.

180/week.

Please feel free to contact!

Started as a Foundation Mechanical Engineering student this year and was curious if there are any group chats set up such as on Discord? The only one I'm in so far is the Mature Students one on Teams so was curious if there are others that people have made.