The Kava Coalition (KC) is pleased to announce that Dr. Simon Gellar—a leading researcher on the consumption and economy of kava, as well as of cultural norms and substance policies more broadly—has officially joined KC as an expert spokesperson.
"Our social perceptions of kava—whether in Europe, North America, or the South Pacific—are complex, diverse and sometimes misunderstood in a negative manner," Dr. Gellar said. "Unfortunately, the EU and UK rules governing kava’s sale and consumption reflect that reality. Through my research, I have given voice to everyday consumers, and now, by joining KC, I hope to amplify their voices further."
Dr. Simon Gellar is a lecturer in Criminology at the University of Kent, where he has worked since 2021. His research seeks to understand novel psychoactive substances and their relative benefits and harms, alongside the lived experience of consumers, to inform more precise drug policy in the U.K. and internationally. Specific to kava, his research challenges the prohibition of its sale in the U.K. and untangles misconceptions about the plant from a cross-cultural perspective.
"As Dr. Gellar notes, the reality of safe kava consumption is not reflected in our general discourse, nor in many countries' substance policies," said Matthew Lowe, Executive Director of the Kava Coalition. "This is a failure of governance that, with Dr. Gellar’s counsel, we at Kava Coalition are now better equipped to correct."
Dr. Gellar recently completed a cross-cultural study of kava consumption in the U.K., U.S., and Vanuatu. It found that its consumption holds profound cultural significance in Vanuatu, where kava has been ingrained in social and ceremonial practices for centuries. In the U.K. and U.S., meanwhile, lacking such historical context, consumers tend to adopt kava as an alternative to conventional medicine or alcohol. It further demonstrates the benefits of trade in Kava between these countries, particularly emerging south pacific economies which experiencing positive social mobility via the demand of Kava from western countries. The study also explains reports linking kava consumption to liver damage, which have been dismissed through discourse with those who consume kava daily.
"Elixir of the South Pacific or Harmful Muddy Water: Examining the Consumption of Kava from a Cross-Cultural Perspective and the Lived Experience of Macro-Level Social Processes" is slated to publish, and disseminate through peer-reviewed channels, later this year.
About the Kava Coalition
Kava Coalition (KC) is a global alliance of kava consumers, experts, and industry leaders committed to advancing kava education, advocacy, and choice. Through educational initiatives and community engagement, KC promotes awareness and appreciation for kava’s traditional practices and cultural significance. Simultaneously, KC advocates for modern regulation that reflects current scientific knowledge, ensuring consumer safety and product integrity.
