Psychology Postgraduate Conference 2025

The Psychology Postgraduate Conference, the highlight of the Psychology postgraduate year, showcased some of the diverse research themes being studied here at Buckingham.

Charlotte Carry opened with an update on her first study on the effects of AI on creativity, followed by Lucie Ilbury who is exploring sensitivity, creativity, and wellbeing. Lisa Ruggles explained her findings from her study on self-compassion and perfectionism in relation to adolescent menstruation and physical activity, while Lisa Pye explained her progress on her topic of identity challenges in chronic pelvic pain. Megan Hogg discussed her findings on the influence of sexually explicit online material on adolescents’ sexual attitudes and behaviour, and Morgan-Ann Tidy finished the day with her presentation on what her work into violent video game playing is telling us about how this genre of gaming affects resilience and wellbeing.

Reflecting on their year’s conference, Charlotte said:

“Spending the day sharing our progress as well as a bring-and-share lunch (tea and biscuits kindly donated by the new Dean, Professor Harin Sellahewa) was an opportunity for students and staff to socialise and celebrate the diverse and innovative psychological research being done here in the School of Psychology. Such conferences are academically vital for the postgraduate community: they foster knowledge exchange, allow staff to provide constructive feedback, and encourage interdisciplinary dialogue between students in addition to honing presentation skills.”

The conference was collaboratively organised by staff and students with special thanks to Dr Helen Clegg, Lisa Pye, and Lisa Ruggles.

We look forward to SPARK 2026, School of Psychology Annual Research Konference (forgive the artistic licence in spelling!).