The ISSUP Exchange Podcast series explores the evolution in responses to the challenges of substance use from an evidence, quality standards and ethical best practice perspective. From research and training to networking and knowledge-sharing: we help to link it all up and make sure you see the big picture.
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Democratising Evidence with David Patton Pt. 4: The Future of Evidence
Episode 24
Wednesday, July 8, 2026 • Duration 17:11
In this final episode, Professor Goodman Sibeko and Dr David Patton look ahead to the future of addiction science and explore what it would take for lived experience to become a recognised and embedded part of the global evidence base.
David reflects on the structural changes needed to create more inclusive approaches to knowledge production, challenging long-standing assumptions about evidence, academic excellence, and expertise. The conversation explores how institutions can embrace greater diversity, rethink research methods, and create meaningful partnerships that bring together different ways of knowing without reinforcing existing hierarchies.
The episode concludes with practical reflections for researchers, practitioners, and policymakers seeking to build more collaborative, equitable, and person-centred approaches to research, policy, and practice.
Featured Voices
Host – A/Prof. Goodman Sibeko
ISSUP Global Scientific Advisor.
Head of Addiction Psychiatry, University of Cape Town.
Dr David Patton is an Associate Professor in Criminology at the University of Derby whose work focuses on lived experience, participatory research, recovery, and social justice. He leads international initiatives that amplify lived experience voices, including Recovery Atlas and New Central Media, and has over 25 years of experience in higher education.
Time Stamps
[00:00] – Introduction
[00:39] – Reimagining the Future of Evidence
[03:52] – Redefining Knowledge and Evidence
[05:28] – Building More Inclusive Institutions
[06:52] – Expanding the Research Toolbox
[08:57] – Sharing Power in Policy and Practice
[15:11.] – Advice for the Next Generation
[15:47] – Closing Reflections
About the ISSUP Exchange
The ISSUP Exchange podcast series explores the evolution of responses to the challenges of substance use—from research and training to ethics, quality standards and evidence-based practice. We connect the dots so you can see the big picture.
Explore more episodes and join the ISSUP podcast community here>>>
About ISSUP
ISSUP is a global network that unites, connects, and shares knowledge across the substance use prevention, treatment, and recovery support workforce. Our mission is to make our members’ work as effective as possible—by providing access to training, resources, and a vibrant professional community.
Democratising Evidence with David Patton Pt. 3: Participatory Research in Practice
Episode 23
Wednesday, July 8, 2026 • Duration 23:28
In episode three , Professor Goodman Sibeko and Dr David Patton move from theory to practice, exploring how lived experience can be meaningfully embedded throughout the research process. Drawing on examples from participatory projects, David explains how approaches such as PhotoVoice create space for communities to shape research questions, generate knowledge, and influence how findings are understood and shared.
The conversation examines how participatory research differs from traditional qualitative methods, the ethical considerations involved in working alongside communities, and why equity, shared decision-making, and authentic collaboration are essential to meaningful participation. David also reflects on how these approaches are beginning to influence services and policy, while challenging established ideas about power, expertise, and knowledge production.
Featured Voices
Host – A/Prof. Goodman Sibeko
ISSUP Global Scientific Advisor.
Head of Addiction Psychiatry, University of Cape Town.
Dr David Patton is an Associate Professor in Criminology at the University of Derby whose work focuses on lived experience, participatory research, recovery, and social justice. He leads international initiatives that amplify lived experience voices, including Recovery Atlas and New Central Media, and has over 25 years of experience in higher education.
Time Stamps
[00:00] – Introduction
[00:34] – What Is Participatory Research?
[02:07] – PhotoVoice and Community-Led Knowledge
Democratising Evidence with David Patton Pt. 2: What Counts as Evidence?
Episode 22
Wednesday, June 17, 2026 • Duration 36:19
In this episode, Professor Goodman Sibeko and Dr David Patton examine how knowledge is created, valued, and used within addiction science. Drawing on his experience as a researcher and advocate for participatory approaches, David challenges traditional assumptions about who gets to produce evidence and whose voices are recognised as experts.
The conversation explores the historical foundations of scientific knowledge, the limitations of relying on a single way of understanding complex human experiences, and the consequences of excluding lived experience from research and policy discussions. David reflects on the growing interest in co-production, the difference between genuine participation and tokenism, and why sharing power is central to creating more inclusive knowledge.
Through practical examples from his own work, he discusses how lived experience can strengthen research, challenge established narratives, and open new ways of understanding addiction, recovery, and social change.
Featured Voices
Host – A/Prof. Goodman Sibeko
ISSUP Global Scientific Advisor.
Head of Addiction Psychiatry, University of Cape Town.
Dr David Patton is an Associate Professor in Criminology at the University of Derby whose work focuses on lived experience, participatory research, recovery, and social justice. He leads international initiatives that amplify lived experience voices, including Recovery Atlas and New Central Media, and has over 25 years of experience in higher education.
Time Stamps
[00:00] – Introduction
Democratising Evidence with David Patton Pt. 1: From Experience to Leadership
Episode 21
Thursday, June 4, 2026 • Duration 33:42
Professor Goodman Sibeko speaks with Dr David Patton about the experiences that shaped his journey into criminology, recovery research, and the movement to centre lived experience in knowledge production.
David reflects on growing up in a community marked by inequality, the people who helped shape his path, and the turning points that led him into academia. He discusses how these experiences influenced the questions he asks as a researcher and his commitment to ensuring that research reflects the realities of the people it seeks to understand.
The conversation also explores participation, representation, and the challenges of bringing lived experience into academic spaces, setting the foundation for the discussions that follow throughout the series.
Featured Voices
Host – A/Prof. Goodman Sibeko
ISSUP Global Scientific Advisor.
Head of Addiction Psychiatry, University of Cape Town.
Dr David Patton is an Associate Professor in Criminology at the University of Derby whose work focuses on lived experience, participatory research, recovery, and social justice. He leads international initiatives that amplify lived experience voices, including Recovery Atlas and New Central Media, and has over 25 years of experience in higher education.
Time Stamps
[00:00] – Introduction
[03:05] – A Boundary Spanner Between Worlds
[04:09] – Growing Up Inside Inequality
Prevention Unpacked with Dr. Zili Sloboda Pt.4: Vision, Legacy & The Future of Prevention
Episode 16
Wednesday, February 18, 2026 • Duration 19:59
In the final episode of Prevention Unpacked with Dr. Zili Sloboda: Vision, Legacy & The Future of Prevention, the conversation looks ahead and brings the series full circle.
Drawing on decades of global experience, Dr. Zili Sloboda shares her vision for where prevention must go over the next 10 to 20 years. She reflects on what it would mean for prevention to be fully recognised as a profession, embedded across health, education, and social systems, and guided by a true culture of prevention rather than short-term solutions.
The episode explores emerging frontiers shaping the future of the field, including digital environments, climate change, misinformation, neuroscience, and equity. Dr. Sloboda speaks candidly about the need for stronger integration between research and practice, new training pathways, and leadership grounded in respect, listening, and collaboration.
As the conversation turns to legacy, Dr. Sloboda reflects on the moments that have mattered most in her career, the role of global networks such as ISSUP and ICUDDR, and what gives her hope for the next generation of prevention professionals. The series closes with a powerful reminder that prevention is not a static outcome, but a living, evolving process carried forward by people, partnerships, and shared purpose.
Featured Voices
Host – A/Prof. Goodman Sibeko
ISSUP Global Scientific Advisor.
Head of Addiction Psychiatry, University of Cape Town.
Dr Zili Sloboda is a global leader in prevention science whose work has shaped evidence-based prevention practice worldwide.
Prevention Unpacked with Dr. Zili Sloboda Pt.3: Workforce, Capacity & Global Development
Episode 15
Wednesday, February 11, 2026 • Duration 20:13
In this third episode of Prevention Unpacked with Dr. Zili Sloboda, the focus shifts from science to the people who make prevention possible.
Dr. Sloboda reflects on why workforce development has become central to the future of prevention, and why evidence alone is never enough without skilled, supported professionals to put it into practice. She speaks candidly about the competencies that matter most in prevention work, from care and humility to monitoring, feedback, and fidelity in implementation.
The conversation explores how prevention has moved toward professionalisation through shared standards, training frameworks, and global networks, including the role of the Universal Prevention Curriculum in creating a common language across regions. Dr. Sloboda also shares lessons from delivering training in diverse cultural contexts, what prevention professionals around the world have in common, and where gaps in training and research still exist.
This episode also tackles the harder questions: how to sustain and retain the prevention workforce, why career pathways remain underdeveloped, and what still keeps Dr. Sloboda concerned about the future of the field. It closes with a forward-looking reflection on online and blended learning, youth engagement, and what gives her hope for the next generation of prevention professionals.
Featured Voices
Host – A/Prof. Goodman Sibeko
ISSUP Global Scientific Advisor.
Head of Addiction Psychiatry, University of Cape Town.
Dr Zili Sloboda is a global leader in prevention science whose work has shaped evidence-based prevention practice worldwide.
Prevention Unpacked with Dr. Zili Sloboda Pt.2: Science, Translation & the Evolution of Prevention
Episode 14
Friday, January 23, 2026 • Duration 21:25
In this episode of Prevention Unpacked with Dr. Zili Sloboda, the conversation turns to how prevention science actually became a field.
Dr. Sloboda reflects on the early days, when prevention was often dismissed as vague or unmeasurable, and traces how theory, rigorous research, and cross-disciplinary work helped give the field credibility. She explains why prevention is more than information sharing, how learning and development shape what works at different ages, and why community context matters just as much as evidence.
The discussion also digs into the harder part of the work: translating research into real-world practice. From siloed funding systems to policymaker impatience for quick results, Dr. Sloboda speaks candidly about why prevention struggles to gain traction and what still needs to change to build a genuine culture of prevention.
This episode is a grounded look at where prevention science came from, what it has achieved, and why the work is far from finished.
Featured Voices
Host – A/Prof. Goodman Sibeko
ISSUP Global Scientific Advisor.
Head of Addiction Psychiatry, University of Cape Town.
Dr Zili Sloboda is a global leader in prevention science whose work has shaped evidence-based prevention practice worldwide.
Time Stamps
[00:00] – Introduction
[00:42.] – What Prevention Science Really Means
[03:48] – Why Theory, Rigor, and Learning Matter
Prevention Unpacked with Dr. Zili Sloboda Pt.1: The Journey and Vision
Episode 13
Wednesday, January 14, 2026 • Duration 27:37
In this first episode of Prevention Unpacked, Associate Professor Goodman Sibeko speaks with Dr. Zili Sloboda about the early experiences that shaped her life and career. The conversation traces her childhood in New York, her exposure to international cultures, and the personal influences that sparked her interest in people, behaviour, and social systems.
Dr. Sloboda reflects on her academic path through sociology, public health, and epidemiology, sharing how her early work in medical settings and substance use research shaped her thinking about prevention. She describes the mentors, moments, and turning points that guided her toward a lifelong commitment to understanding behaviour and preventing harm before it begins.
This opening episode traces the origins of a career that would later shape prevention science, beginning not with research, but with curiosity, people, and a lifelong interest in how lives unfold.
Featured Voices
Host – A/Prof. Goodman Sibeko
ISSUP Global Scientific Advisor.
Head of Addiction Psychiatry, University of Cape Town.
Dr Zili Sloboda is a global leader in prevention science whose work has shaped evidence-based prevention practice worldwide.
Time Stamps
[00:00] – Introduction
[01:52] – Childhood, Early Life, And International Influences
[05:59] – How Prevention Science Developed As A Field
[14:49] – Motivation and Impact in the Field
Workplace Prevention in Practice Pt.4: Building Resilient and Healthy Work Environments
Episode 12
Wednesday, November 26, 2025 • Duration 16:09
In this final episode, Associate Professors Goodman Sibeko and Nadine Harker shift the focus from individual-level responses to the organisational systems that shape wellbeing at work. The conversation looks at how workplaces can create environments that reduce stressors and promote healthier behaviours before problems escalate.
Prof. Harker highlights the role of leadership commitment, ongoing wellness initiatives, and policies that prioritise prevention rather than once-off interventions. She also discusses challenges such as cost, organisational culture, and the need for clear pathways for referral and reintegration when employees return from treatment.
A reflective close to the series, drawing together key lessons for organisations, policymakers, and practitioners working to embed prevention in real-world settings.
Featured Voices
Host – A/Prof. Goodman Sibeko
ISSUP Global Scientific Advisor.
Head of Addiction Psychiatry, University of Cape Town.
Specialist Scientist in the Alcohol, Tobacco and other Drug Research Unit of the South African Medical Research Council.
Time Stamps
[00:00] – Introduction
[00:39] – What Resilience Means Today
[01:46] – Designing Healthy Work Environments
[02:05] – Social Capital and Team-Based Prevention
[05:30] – Micro Interactions and Leadership Modeling
Workplace Prevention in Practice Pt.3: Policy, Ethics, and Compliance in Workplace Prevention
Episode 11
Wednesday, November 12, 2025 • Duration 16:11
In this episode, Associate Professors Goodman Sibeko and Nadine Harker unpack how workplaces can uphold legal and ethical standards while promoting mental health and preventing substance use.
Prof. Harker discusses what makes a workplace policy both lawful and humane, stressing that alignment with national legislation must go hand in hand with fairness and inclusion. She also underscores the value of collaboration, bringing HR teams, trade unions, and leadership into the same conversation from the outset.
Their discussion moves beyond policy design to the practical realities of putting it into action: how managers can overcome financial and cultural barriers, and why reintegration and aftercare are essential for employees returning from treatment.
Featured Voices
Host – A/Prof. Goodman Sibeko
ISSUP Global Scientific Advisor.
Head of Addiction Psychiatry, University of Cape Town.
Specialist Scientist in the Alcohol, Tobacco and other Drug Research Unit of the South African Medical Research Council.
Time Stamps
[00:00] – Introduction
[00:44] – Aligning Workplace Policy with National Frameworks
[03:20] – Inclusive Policy Development and Representation
[05:26] – Balancing Compliance, Ethics, and Support
[07:27] – Commitment and Universal Prevention Strategies
[05:07] – What Images Can Reveal
[08:40] – Beyond Traditional Research Methods
[11:26] – How Participatory Research Differs from Qualitative Research
[12:59] – Ethics, Equity, and Shared Responsibility
[18:42] – From Research to Policy and Service Design
[22:11] – Closing Reflections
About the ISSUP Exchange
The ISSUP Exchange podcast series explores the evolution of responses to the challenges of substance use—from research and training to ethics, quality standards and evidence-based practice. We connect the dots so you can see the big picture.
Explore more episodes and join the ISSUP podcast community here>>>
About ISSUP
ISSUP is a global network that unites, connects, and shares knowledge across the substance use prevention, treatment, and recovery support workforce. Our mission is to make our members’ work as effective as possible—by providing access to training, resources, and a vibrant professional community.
[00:41] – What Do We Mean by Evidence?
[06:02] – Challenging Traditional Ways of Knowing
[10:23] – Lived Experience as a Form of Knowledge
[16:20] – Beyond Tokenism: The Reality of Co-Production
[18:48] – When Voices Are Excluded
[23:18] – Building Capacity and Leadership
[28:21] – More Than Anecdotes
[33:50] – Relationships, Trust, and the Future of Knowledge Production
[35:33] – Closing Reflections
About the ISSUP Exchange
The ISSUP Exchange podcast series explores the evolution of responses to the challenges of substance use—from research and training to ethics, quality standards and evidence-based practice. We connect the dots so you can see the big picture.
Explore more episodes and join the ISSUP podcast community here>>>
About ISSUP
ISSUP is a global network that unites, connects, and shares knowledge across the substance use prevention, treatment, and recovery support workforce. Our mission is to make our members’ work as effective as possible—by providing access to training, resources, and a vibrant professional community.
[09:53] – The People Who Shaped the Journey
[12:00] – Finding Criminology and Addiction Research
[18:31] – Lived Experience, Voice, and Participation
[24:33] – Questioning Traditional Knowledge Production
[29:27] – Bringing Lived Experience into Academic Spaces
[32:53] – Closing Reflections
About the ISSUP Exchange
The ISSUP Exchange podcast series explores the evolution of responses to the challenges of substance use—from research and training to ethics, quality standards and evidence-based practice. We connect the dots so you can see the big picture.
Explore more episodes and join the ISSUP podcast community here>>>
About ISSUP
ISSUP is a global network that unites, connects, and shares knowledge across the substance use prevention, treatment, and recovery support workforce. Our mission is to make our members’ work as effective as possible—by providing access to training, resources, and a vibrant professional community.
Time Stamps
[00:00] – Introduction
[00:35] – The Future of Prevention Over the Next 10–20 Years
[02:22] – Integrating Prevention into Health and Social Systems
[04:46] – Emerging Challenges: Digital Change, Climate, and Equity
[06:45] – Leadership Philosophy in Global Prevention Work
[09:41] – Professional Collaboration and Field Connectivity
[12:03] – Advice for Early and Mid-Career Prevention Professionals
[15:10] – Career Reflections and Defining Achievements
[18:08] – Hope for the Future of Prevention
[19:09] – Closing Reflections
About the ISSUP Exchange
The ISSUP Exchange podcast series explores the evolution of responses to the challenges of substance use—from research and training to ethics, quality standards and evidence-based practice. We connect the dots so you can see the big picture.
Explore more episodes and join the ISSUP podcast community here>>>
About ISSUP
ISSUP is a global network that unites, connects, and shares knowledge across the substance use prevention, treatment, and recovery support workforce. Our mission is to make our members’ work as effective as possible—by providing access to training, resources, and a vibrant professional community.
Time Stamps
[00:00] – Introduction
[00:40] – Why Workforce Development Matters in Prevention
[01:13] – What Makes a Strong Prevention Professional
[03:25] – Building Professional Identity in Prevention
[05:29] – The Universal Prevention Curriculum and Closing Gaps
[08:24] – Lessons from Training Across Regions and Cultures
[10:14] –Barriers to Sustaining the Prevention Workforce
[13:49] – Online and Blended Learning for Workforce Development
[17:45] – Closing Reflections
About the ISSUP Exchange
The ISSUP Exchange podcast series explores the evolution of responses to the challenges of substance use—from research and training to ethics, quality standards and evidence-based practice. We connect the dots so you can see the big picture.
Explore more episodes and join the ISSUP podcast community here>>>
About ISSUP
ISSUP is a global network that unites, connects, and shares knowledge across the substance use prevention, treatment, and recovery support workforce. Our mission is to make our members’ work as effective as possible—by providing access to training, resources, and a vibrant professional community.
[06:29] – How Prevention Science Gained Credibility
[09:07] – Key Milestones That Shaped the Field
[11:25] –Turning Research into Real-World Prevention
[15:01] – Culture, Belief, and Communicating Why Prevention Works
[17:02] - Universal Principles and Adapting to Local Contexts
[18:50] – Global Reflections and the Future of Prevention Science
About the ISSUP Exchange
The ISSUP Exchange podcast series explores the evolution of responses to the challenges of substance use—from research and training to ethics, quality standards and evidence-based practice. We connect the dots so you can see the big picture.
Explore more episodes and join the ISSUP podcast community here>>>
About ISSUP
ISSUP is a global network that unites, connects, and shares knowledge across the substance use prevention, treatment, and recovery support workforce. Our mission is to make our members’ work as effective as possible—by providing access to training, resources, and a vibrant professional community.
[19:52] – Learning from Challenges and Leading with Humility
[22:38] – Lessons from Defining Moments and Leadership Experiences
[24:39] –Real-World Experience in Advisory Roles
[26:41] – Closing Reflections
About the ISSUP Exchange
The ISSUP Exchange podcast series explores the evolution of responses to the challenges of substance use—from research and training to ethics, quality standards and evidence-based practice. We connect the dots so you can see the big picture.
Explore more episodes and join the ISSUP podcast community here>>>
About ISSUP
ISSUP is a global network that unites, connects, and shares knowledge across the substance use prevention, treatment, and recovery support workforce. Our mission is to make our members’ work as effective as possible—by providing access to training, resources, and a vibrant professional community.
[10:33] – Workplace Assessment and Practical Next Steps
[11:03] – Wellness Days, Screening, and Ongoing Programmes
[14:12] –Measuring Success and Low-Hanging Metrics
[15:15] – Closing Reflections
About the ISSUP Exchange
The ISSUP Exchange podcast series explores the evolution of responses to the challenges of substance use—from research and training to ethics, quality standards and evidence-based practice. We connect the dots so you can see the big picture.
Explore more episodes and join the ISSUP podcast community here>>>
About ISSUP
ISSUP is a global network that unites, connects, and shares knowledge across the substance use prevention, treatment, and recovery support workforce. Our mission is to make our members’ work as effective as possible—by providing access to training, resources, and a vibrant professional community.
[11:19] – Implementation Barriers and the “Illness vs. Wellness” Mindset
[14:05] – Substance Use, Workplace Safety, and Reintegration
[15:25] – Closing Reflections
About the ISSUP Exchange
The ISSUP Exchange podcast series explores the evolution of responses to the challenges of substance use—from research and training to ethics, quality standards and evidence-based practice. We connect the dots so you can see the big picture.
Explore more episodes and join the ISSUP podcast community here>>>
About ISSUP
ISSUP is a global network that unites, connects, and shares knowledge across the substance use prevention, treatment, and recovery support workforce. Our mission is to make our members’ work as effective as possible—by providing access to training, resources, and a vibrant professional community.
