First #GFN25 speaker announced - and it’s our Michael Russell Orator…

We know that you’ve been eagerly anticipating the lineup for this year’s Global Forum on Nicotine. Without further ado, we’re delighted to reveal that this year’s Michael Russell Oration will be given by Dr. Arielle Selya!



Dr Selya is a Senior Scientist at Pinney Associates, and has established herself as a leading analyst of academic research in the field of tobacco harm reduction and the study of safer nicotine products. Bringing her wealth of experience to the table, Arielle will unpick the complex web of cause and effect driving nicotine research, from the hurdles facing researchers seeking out grant applications, to the politics of academic publishing.



Titled ‘The State of Academic Research on Nicotine: Flaws, Incentive Structures, and Opportunities’, Arielle’s Oration will also explore why, despite decades of consumer use of safer nicotine products, there remain repeated critical flaws in the literature about them.

Good public health communication requires a firm basis of reliable and reproducible science. When this is lacking, misinformation and miscommunication arise. In keeping with our conference theme, 'Challenging Perceptions - Effective Communication for Tobacco Harm Reduction', Arielle will help guide us through some of the ways in which we can help ensure that the core pillars of good science are reflected in both the creation and promotion of academic research in our field.

Watch Arielle in action!

For a sneak peak at what you can look forward to in this year’s Michael Russell Oration, check out Arielle’s star appearances at previous Global Forum on Nicotine events and over at GFN TV! In 2024 Arielle and Clive Bates co-hosted the GFN24 panel discussion “Rating the evidence: good and bad science” in which the best and the worst of the academic literature on safer nicotine products from the previous year was dissected. You can watch the full panel discussion right here! Last year Arielle also joined Brent Stafford for GFN Interviews on GFN TV to debunk some of the most prevalent myths and misconceptions that still surround the use of safer nicotine products, including the notorious gateway effect.



The Michael Russell Oration is an annual event, delivered to honour the work and memory of Professor Michael Russell, a pioneer in the study of smoking behaviour, clinical interventions and public policy action, who died in 2009. You can rewatch your favourite Michael Russell Orations from previous editions of the Global Forum on Nicotine over on the GFN website (where, coincidentally, you can keep track of the latest programme updates all in one place!).

Have you started work on your GFN Science Lab submissions?

This year GFN Science Lab is returning to showcase the academic successes of new and established scientists in the GFN community, but we need your help to make it a success! Create a five minute video outlining your latest research exploring tobacco harm reduction and safer nicotine products and be in with a chance of presenting your science in-person at GFN Science Lab, live at GFN25 in Warsaw! Take a look at last year’s superb GFN Science Lab submissions for more inspiration, and check out the official GFN Science Lab page for more information.

See you next time!

The GFN25 Team

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