33rd PsyPAG Conference makes first visit to Huddersfield

Hudds psychology postgrads’ successful bid to host major conference

A GROUP of psychology postgraduates from the University of Huddersfield has successfully submitted a bid to host a prestigious three-day conference on campus.

The 33rd PsyPAG (Psychology Postgraduate Affairs Group) Conference, funded by the Research Board of the British Psychological Society, is the only event of its kind dedicated to supporting postgraduates in the field of psychology where researchers can meet one another, network, share ideas and collaborate on research.

It will take place on campus between 24-27 July 2018 and will be the conference’s first ever visit to Huddersfield in its entire 33-year history.

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Members of the conference committee (l-r) Richard Baron, Becky Scott and Tim Dlamini Members of the conference committee (l-r) Richard Baron, Becky Scott and Tim Dlamini

The 43-page bid was led by PhD students and the PsyPAG 2018 Conference Committee, Becky Scott (Conference Committee Chair), Donna Elliot, Tim Dlamini, Tianna Myers, Richard Baron, Sarah Ward, Matt Pears and Chris Moeller.  The bid’s preparation was months in the making as they had to submit the entire conference proceedings and all additional details including travel arrangements, social events and details of accommodation in the area.

The event has attracted a strong line-up of keynote speakers including the University’s Professor Nigel King, Professor Viv Burr and Professor Daniel Boduszek and an early career keynote speech from Dr Claire Wilson, from the University of West Scotland.               

Several workshops are also planned that will look at topics such as social network analysis in health care, exploring the experiences of women who identify as bisexual in a monogamous relationship and the shifting identity from undergraduate to postgraduate study. 

There will be a workshop turned ‘walk-shop’ delivered by Dr Alex J Bridger to introduce delegates to the idea of walking as a research method and Dr Joanna Brooks will explore the growing interest within qualitative psychology research with the use of visual methods to supplement the more traditional collection of interviews and observations.

Delegates will also have the chance to explore a variety of Virtual Reality (VR) simulations and games including one demonstrating comprehensive surgical training.

“In putting together this bid,” said Becky, “we hope to represent Psychology as a broad and diverse, yet interdisciplinary area.  In many ways, this represents the research backgrounds of those involved in the bid – ranging from Cognitive Psychology to Critical Psychology.”

  • For more information on the conference, go to www.psypag2018.com or follow the conference on twitter at @PsyPAG2018.