Science & Psychology

Cara Flanagan: Science – what’s the point?

Science is at the core of psychology – the scientific study of behaviour. It is also at the core of your A level exams. You could actually gain a pass mark in A level Psychology on just research methods content alone. So it makes sense to learn to love research methods and to love the process of science – that’s what this conference is all about.

Cara is known for her numerous Psychology textbooks – at last count well over 50 of them for the different exam boards and also specialist texts on research methods. She taught for 20 years (maths, computing and psychology) and was a senior examiner for AQA Psychology A level.

Mike Cardwell: The challenges and benefits of socially sensitive research

Research is not considered ‘socially sensitive’ just because of the topics under investigation, but because of the likelihood that a study might generate a threat to the people being studied or the researchers themselves. Being aware of these threats and knowing how to deal with them creates opportunities to study behaviours that would otherwise be ignored, or groups that would otherwise be marginalised. In this talk, Mike looks at the nature of socially sensitive research illustrated by topics such as domestic violence, prostitution and bereavement.

Mike has recently retired as a Senior Lecturer at Bath Spa University, where he specialised in social psychology with a special interest in peace and conflict. He is a prolific author of Psychology textbooks and a former Chief Examiner for AQA Psychology A level.

Dr Lucie Clements: Dancing – Science and performance

Do you think arts and sciences require different thinking? Many students feel they have to choose between pursuing creative subjects and scientific subjects, but did you know that the same psychological skills and thinking are used in both?

We will try some live experiments, where you can learn how psychologists use dance to understand the mind and behaviour.

Lucie’s first passion was ballet and she trained to be a professional dancer. She did a degree and further studies in psychology and now lectures in psychology and dance science. As a psychologist she teaches dancers around the world about the role of science in performance.

Prof Chris French: The psychology of belief in conspiracies

This talk will present an overview of the psychology of belief in conspiracies. Unfounded conspiracies can have serious and damaging consequences for society. Why are conspiracy theories so popular? Why are some people more susceptible to conspiratorial thinking than others? Psychology can provide some answers.

Chris French is Emeritus Professor of Psychology at Goldsmiths, University of London. His main current area of research is the psychology of paranormal beliefs and anomalous experiences. He frequently appears on radio and television casting a sceptical eye over paranormal claims.

Oliver Meech: Magic – it’s all about psychology

The secret to magic is that it’s not about fooling the eyes, it’s about bamboozling the brain. Every trick is a real-world psychology experiment, offering surprising insights into the way we think and act. With enthusiasm, humour and interactive elements, Oliver takes you on a jaw-dropping, eye-opening tour of our amazing brains.

Oliver is a magician, speaker and writer. He has lectured at the Magic Circle, the world’s most prestigious magic society, and studied Psychology at Oxford University. Now he combines magic and psychology in critically-acclaimed shows, talks and books.

Andrew Newton: Hypnosis – is it real?

For many people hypnosis is viewed as anything but scientific. However, the job of science is to provide evidence-based explanations for observable phenomena.

The lecture will include a demonstration of hypnosis, during which you can observe what happens and ask questions afterwards to apply science to what you have observed.

Andrew is one of the world’s leading authorities on hypnosis, addressing audiences in the UK, America, Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, Norway, Sweden and India. He is a member of the Royal Society of Medicine and Senior trainer in Hypnosis at Europe’s leading Hypnotherapy training school in Oslo, Norway.