Looking back to last year’s Open Psychology Research Centre Event

The Centre Advisory Board is an international group of critical friends of the Open Psychology Research Centre. When they gather with us at The Open University on an Annual Basis, it is often the moment when we do most to celebrate and take stock of our research culture here in the School of Psychology & Counselling.

In 2023, the Advisory Board visited the OU over July 10^th-11^th. Following their meeting with some of our PhD students last year, they were keen to see how we were making them more central to the School’s research culture. On the afternoon of 10th July four PhD students gave fantastic presentations showcasing their research. The stimulating talks were informative for the advisory board also beneficial for the students.

PhD student Magi Young said of her presentation “This was probably the most useful thing I have attended since joining The Open University.  I presented for 10 minutes on ‘the golden nugget’ of my PhD in front of the Centre Advisory Board … as well as Open University psychology academics….it made me really focus my thinking and was incredibly helpful in shaping my research particularly just after my upgrade. Nina Fellows, another PhD presenter said “Preparing for the presentation got me thinking critically about how to explain my research in a straightforward and efficient way, which was a really useful challenge after many months of reading and writing in private… I made some connections that just wouldn’t have happened online…. I totally recommend these events to other PhD students who need to practice their presentation skills and want to make meaningful connections within the faculty.”

On the morning of 11^th July there were a series of talks from researchers in the School of Psychology & Counselling who were leading external grants in the School. The afternoon showcased work lead by Professor Paul Stenner on “Making a meaning in crisis”–that was the focus of a large bid to the Leverhulme Trust. Members of the Centre Advisory Board acted as discussants throughout the day which was introduced by Professor Kevin Shakesheff, Pro Vice Chancellor, Research and Innovation. The next Centre Advisory Board meeting takes place on 15^th May 2024 and looks to be as interesting as the one last year.