Acorn Recovery Projects is celebrating a major achievement this week after Dr Lisa Ogilvie, a valued member of the Acorn team, was ranked number one in the world for ‘Addiction Recovery’ by Scopus Researcher Discovery.
The ranking places Dr Ogilvie at the very top of global addiction recovery research. The University of Greater Manchester, where she recently completed her PhD, described the news as “a staggering achievement” and highlighted the impact of her work. Alongside her role at Acorn, she is a Visiting Research Fellow in the School of Psychology, teaching students across undergraduate and postgraduate programmes.
Dr Ogilvie’s research explores what helps people build and sustain long‑term recovery, with a strong focus on lived experience. This approach sits at the heart of Acorn’s identity as a Lived Experience Recovery Organisation (LERO), where peer support and real‑world insight shape the way services are delivered.
Her work has already influenced how Acorn designs and develops support across Lancashire and Greater Manchester. It has strengthened trauma‑informed practice, helped refine person‑centred approaches, and ensured that lived experience continues to guide the organisation’s direction.
Speaking while reflecting on the impressive accolade, Dr Ogilvie said: “This achievement reflects the impact of my work in addiction recovery, arising from a sustained contribution to the field over the past four years, informed by lived experience, a strong focus on enhancing recovery outcomes for individuals with substance use disorders, and a targeted response to an underdeveloped and under-researched area of psychological practice.
“I am incredibly proud of this achievement. When I first began volunteering at Acorn, motivated by a desire to improve recovery outcomes for people whose experiences I could relate to through my own lived experience, I could not have imagined where that would lead.
“I’m now fortunate to do work that I genuinely love and find meaningful, work that contributes to the development of addiction treatment services and the wider field of addiction recovery.
“This includes challenging stigma, promoting evidence-based practice, and advocating for a strengths-based approach that prioritises growth and empowerment over an over-reliance on deficit and correction, positioning Acorn as a leading provider in this progressive treatment direction.”
Acorn Recovery Projects has welcomed the news as a proud moment for the organisation and for the wider recovery community. Dr Ogilvie’s achievement reflects the dedication of Acorn’s staff, the strength of its peer‑led approach, and the organisation’s commitment to helping people rebuild their lives with dignity and hope.
