Scottish Psychology Conference: A resounding success

By Dr Katrina Forbes-McKay, Psychology Lecturer, School of Law and Social Sciences - 16 September 2024

“You don’t have to be great to start, but you do have to start to be great”, said Zig Ziglar.

It was an honour and a privilege to organise the British Psychological Society (BPS) Scottish Branch Postgraduate Conference! I was pretty nervous about organising it, but careful planning and a dedicated team turned our vision into a reality.

Welcoming enthusiastic delegates

The initial worry that no one would come quickly faded as the delegates poured in from all over Scotland. The buzz and enthusiasm was brilliant as the students picked up their BPS goody bags. I met many new faces and finally connected in person with individuals I had known online for months, all of us part of the vibrant Psychology community in Scotland.

Celebrating our student presenters

Congratulations to our talented student presenters. Their enthusiasm and willingness to share their work was commendable. As stated in my opening remarks, “you don’t have to be great to start, but you do have to start to be great”. For many, this was the start of their academic journey and an opportunity to share their work in a friendly and supportive environment. The diversity and quality of research presented were exceptional and the day was filled with insightful talks, collaboration, discussion and networking. The future of Psychology is indeed bright.

Inspiring keynotes

We were thrilled to have Professor Rhona Flin deliver an inspiring and insightful keynote on safety at the sharp end, and Nara Morrison wrapped things up with a fascinating talk on imposter syndrome. Their insights really hit home for many of us. Their expertise added immense value to the conference, and we were very grateful for their participation.

Showcasing our beautiful campus

Hosting this event on our beautiful riverside campus was a delight – especially with the sun shining! It was a great opportunity to showcase what Robert Gordon University has to offer and to put RGU on the BPS map. The positive feedback I received afterwards was overwhelming, but behind every successful event is a hardworking team. I’m immensely grateful to the Psychology Team at RGU for their time, expertise and energy. Special thanks also to Professor Sarah Pedersen and Dr Sarah Sivers for their support on the day.

Looking ahead

Thank you to everyone who participated and supported the BPS Scottish Branch Postgraduate Conference. Your enthusiasm and dedication made it an unforgettable experience.