Researchers from the University of Edinburgh and Salford are looking for organisations who can help them learn from people aged 18-24 about their digital lives, money and gambling.
Betting, shopping, slots, crypto, trading, investments, loot boxes, bingo, predication markets, meme coins, crash games, skins portfolios, raffles, prize draws, side hustles – and more. All involve money, and taking a chance to get a reward – but are they gambling?
From gaming and sports to shopping and financial apps, gambling can show up in unexpected places. And all of this is targeted at young adults. The researchers want to learn from young people what they make of all this as they enter adulthood.
What in it for your organisation: £100 shopping voucher and credit for your contribution
What’s in it for the young adults: £25 shopping voucher and a line for their CV. Young people can choose to be anonymous or have their name included as a contributor
Who do the researchers want to speak with: Anyone aged 18-24. They do not need to have any experience in any specific activities. The researchers want a wide range of young adults to share a day in their digital lives and what they see and do online – including where money and gambling comes into it. Whether that’s just seeing a promotion, hearing about it from friends, or getting involved, occasionally or regularly.
What’s involved: There are two activities we need help with, through October, November and December 2026.
Host a workshop
If you have an existing group of young adults, it would be great if you could help get 8-10 people along for a 1.5 hour in-person workshop, at a time that works for them. The researchers could come to you or organise a venue at the University of Salford. This will be a relaxed, informal group discussion where young adults map out what they do usually do online. The researchers would run the session, but your staff or support workers are welcome to be there too.
Promote the opportunity to take part in a short online interview
Distribute information via your networks to young adults who might be interested in taking part in a half hour chat with a researcher about what they do online. A flyer, social media content and hard copy (if you need it) can be provided. It is up to the young people to follow the link/QR code and fill in the screening survey, and the research team take it from there.
This research is being conducted by the University of Edinburgh and University of Salford, with support from the Health and Social Care Alliance of Scotland and Greater Manchester Combined Authority. It is funded by UKRI.
Contact: C.F.Wyllie@sms.ed.ac.uk
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