About this day
For A level and IB students
Join us at Psychology in Action for an exciting day of informative sessions and inspirational stories that will give your students real insight into psychology beyond the classroom. Our experienced speakers will deliver five engaging sessions that examine the theories and applications of psychology in the modern world.
The day will also include a special session on examination success designed to provide students with the tools that they need to excel. With plenty of opportunities to directly engage with the speakers, this event is sure to help your students realise their potential, and discover how psychology applies to their studies, careers, and daily lives. Book now to secure your places!
Host: Helen Pilcher (Science Writer and Presenter) Exam Session: Rosie Husssain (Director of Teaching and Learning)
“A great opportunity for our students’ ideas about psychology to be stretched and challenged beyond the A-level specification.”
— Lady Eleanor Holles, Autumn 2024 —
Programme & speakers
Dance and the brain Peter Lovatt, Director of Dance Psychology at Movement in Practice
At the Dance Psychology Lab we study everything to do with the psychology of dance and dancers. What’s the link between dancing and the brain? How does dancing change the way we think and solve problems? Why is the way we move linked to our hormonal and genetic makeup? This is the science of dance.
About Dr Peter Lovatt
Peter is a former professional dancer who spent over 25 years working in universities as an academic psychologist interested in the effect that dancing and moving has on people.
What is Psychosis? Katharina Schmack, Neuroscientist and Psychiatrist, Francis Crick Institute and University College London
Psychosis affects 1 in 100 people — but what’s actually happening in the brain? Discover the neuroscience of hallucinations and delusions, and how studying the immune system in psychosis opens the door to better treatments.
About Dr Katharina Schmack
Dr Katharina Schmack is a psychiatrist and neuroscientist at the Francis Crick Institute in London. She studies why some people hear things that aren’t there, and how the immune system might play a surprising role in mental illness.
This Talk May Cause Side Effects Helen Pilcher, Author and Science Communicator
Most people have heard of the placebo effect, but did you know that it has an evil twin? This is a force that conjures side effects, symptoms and ill health. It can be spread by social media and explains how curses can kill. In this talk, neuroscientist Dr Helen Pilcher explores the dark side of the placebo effect and explains what we can do to protect ourselves from it.
About Dr Helen Pilcher
Dr Helen Pilcher is a tea-drinking, biscuit-nibbling science and comedy writer. Her books include Bring Back the King: the Science of De-extinction and Life Changing: How Humans are Altering Life on Earth and This Book May Cause Side Effects.
Serial Killers: Why the Fascination? Ross Bartels, Lecturer in Forensic Psychology, University of Lincoln
Although rare and morbid, people are fascinated with serial killers! But why is this? In this talk, Ross will discuss his research examining people’s interest in serial murderers and the psychological characteristics associated with this dark interest.
About Dr Ross Bartels
Ross is a Senior Lecturer in Forensic Psychology at the University of Lincoln. His research examines the fantasies and beliefs underlying offending, as well as people’s attitudes towards those who’ve offended. He also likes to read minds on the side for fun.