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School of Psychology
DCU Glasnevin Campus

School of Psychology host new instalment of successful conference

DCU Glasnevin Campus
In recent years, the School of Psychology has enjoyed great success hosting events bringing together the academic and professional communities under the theme of 'The Future of Psychology.' This year's event, entitled "The Future of Psychology: Community, Industry, and Professional Perspectives" and co-ordinated by Dr Daragh McCashin, built on previous editions.

The event brought together experts from academia, professional, and community sectors for the two-day conference examining the evolving landscape of psychological practice and research.

The conference fell across June 19-20 at the Alice Reeves (H) Building on DCU's Glasnevin Campus, with each day focusing on distinct but interconnected themes.

Thursday's "Industry & Interaction" sessions tackled one of the profession's most pressing contemporary issues: the intersection of generative AI and mental health. Dr. John Francis Leader, a psychologist and cognitive scientist serving as Board Member and Mental Health Liaison for the European Federation of Psychologists' Associations, delivered the opening keynote. A panel discussion featuring Professor Tomás Ward, AIB Chair of Data Analytics at DCU's School of Computing, explored how far the field should embrace these emerging technologies.

The afternoon shifted to career pathways in psychology, with practitioners including Dr. Michelle Howard from HSE Spark Innovation Programme and Emma Tyrrell, a Chartered Forensic Psychologist, discussing both traditional and emerging professional routes.

The second day focused on "Community & Professional" concerns, opening with Dr. Áine Travers's research on partner violence in LGBTQ+ communities. The day concluded with a panel on adolescence in Ireland, examining online and offline risks facing young people today. Speakers include Professor Noeline Blackwell from the Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission and Dr. Joseph Morning from spunout.

Both days featured poster sessions showcasing current research from DCU's School of Psychology.