BPS Psychology Careers Festival 2022

We will have talks from several BPS members at different stages of their careers from various backgrounds.

You will also be able to explore the world of ‘hidden psychology’ – occupations where psychology is applied.

Main Stage

This is where you’ll find our festival headliners. Come along to hear from our keynote speakers and take the opportunity to learn about the different careers which exist in psychology.

Inspirations Stage

This stage will showcase the many different applications of psychology across a wide variety of career pathways.  If you are looking for some inspiration about what career might be right for you, head to our Inspirations Stage.

Pathways Stage

Dive a bit deeper into specific occupations within psychology; if you are looking to find out how to get into a particular area or want advice on experience, you will enjoy exploring this stage.

CPD Stage

The CPD Stage line-up will include events that support your professional development. If you are thinking about ways to develop your skills and career, then this stage will have something of interest to you.

Local Stage

You will find details of events that may be happening within your local area or at your university.

We will be announcing our local events throughout the coming months. Check the sign-up details carefully because most events may only be open to students and graduates from that particular institution.

Please be aware the BPS cannot be held responsible for the content of events listed here.

Download the full conference programme

Cost

• Members = £10*
• Non-members = £15*
• If costs are a barrier to attending this event, please contact us at [email protected].

* Please note: prices are excluding VAT, which will be added at check-out.

Returning customers (members and non-members)

To register for the event, you will need to sign in using your BPS website login details.

We recently implemented a new membership database (CRM) and if you haven't received your pre-registration email, please contact [email protected] to request a re-send and follow the instructions received.

Once pre-registered on the CRM, use your username and password to log in to register for the event.

New customers (members and non-members)

You will need to create a free account if you are not a returning customer.

Once set up, use your username and password to log in to register for the event.

Joining instructions will be sent to your BPS-registered email address one week and 24 hours before the event.

Webinar link

A link to the webinar will be sent to registered delegates 24 hours before the event.

Main stage: Welcome to the BPS Psychology Careers Festival

Time: 10.00 – 11.30

Join us for the opening of the Psychology Careers Festival and a welcome from our current President, Dr. Nicky Hayes, followed by a keynote address from Dr Maike Neuhaus.

Key note address: Dr Maike Neuhaus

'Occupational or clinical psychology? To this day, these are the most chartered career pathways in psychology. While they might be the most obvious (and prestigious) choices at hand, in this talk, Dr Maike Neuhaus invites you to think again, explore alternative career options, and craft a role suited to your unique strengths and purpose.'

How to sign up: Please use the ‘Book your place now’ button at the top of this page.

Pathways Stage: A Day in the Life of…

Time: 13.00 – 15.30

This session will welcome speakers from several of the chartered roles in psychology.  Each speaker will provide an overview of:

• How they got into the role?
• What a typical day in their role is like.
• Top tips for anyone thinking about a career within that area.

Areas/Speakers confirmed for this session so far are:

• Lorna Mills – Coaching Psychologist
• Dr Ben Marram – Clinical Neuropsychologist
• Dr Victoria Lewis – Educational Psychologist
• Dr Laura McGowan, Professor Gerry Molloy and Dr Lucie Byrne-Davies – Health Psychologists
• Dr Nic Bowes – Forensic Psychologist

There will be time allocated after each speaker/at the end of the session for you to ask questions via the Q&A function.

How to sign up: Please use the ‘Book your place now’ button at the top of this page.

Please note: if costs are a barrier to attending this event please contact us at [email protected].

Pathways Stage: Sport and Exercise Psychology Student/Trainee Development Event

We are pleased to be releasing the recording of this event which was hosted on 30th September 2022 which looked at several different career journeys into becoming a Sports and Exercise Psychologist.  Speakers at this event were:

• Emily Pattinson – Chair of the BPS Division of Sport and Exercise Psychology
• Karl Steptoe – Applied Practitioner
• Debbie Thompson – Trainee Sport and Exercise Psychologist
• Laura Kiemle-Gabbay – Sports Psychologist
• Stephen Smith – Sports Psychologist
• Martin Eubank

Main stage: My Super Mind 2022

Time: 11.00 - 13:30

Careers in psychology isn’t for everyone – Myth!

Psychologists only work in hospitals – Myth!

All psychologists do the same thing – Myth!

This event will show you the main psychological professions and will give you the opportunity to understand what psychology is and the career pathways offered across the discipline. It will dispel some of the common myths, including that careers options in psychology are limited and only open to certain types of people. 

Throughout the event our engaging and insightful speakers will share their inspirational journeys into the psychological professions. The BPS North West of England Branch have worked to secure speakers who represent the inclusivity and diversity of the discipline and this event seeks to engage young people in the message that psychology is open to all.

Speaking at this event:

• Dr Esmira Ropaj – Clinical Psychologist
• Deborah Olanrewaju – Assistant Psychologist
• Dr Linda Kaye – Founding member and past chair of the BPS Cyberpsychology Section
• Sakib (Saq) Rafique – Award winning Coach
• Luke Jones – Trainee Occupational Psychologist

How to sign up: please us the 'Book your place now' link at the top of the page.  If you are a school, college or sixth form and would like to sign up for a free place to stream to your pupils please email: [email protected].

Pathways Stage: Demystifying Occupational Psychology

Time: 2.00pm – 3.00pm

Join speakers from the BPS Division of Occupational Psychology and find out more about:

• What is occupational psychology?
• Where can occupational psychologists work?

How to sign up: Please use the ‘Book your place now’ button at the top of this page.

Please note: if costs are a barrier to attending this event please contact us at [email protected].

Pathways Stage: Psychological Wellbeing Practitioners

Time: 3.15pm – 4.00pm

Join Sally-Anne Poyser, Mental Health Workforce Development Lead, as she talks about her journey in IAPT as a Psychological Wellbeing Practitioner (PWP).  Sally-Anne will be sharing experiences about:

• What it’s like to be a PWP
• The roles she has been able to progress in to further her career
• Routes of progression for PWPs
• Steps current students and graduates can take to become a PWP.

How to sign up: Please use the ‘Book your place now’ button at the top of this page.

Please note: if costs are a barrier to attending this event please contact us at [email protected].

Inspirations Stage: How Did You Get That Job In…?

Time: 18.00 - 18:45

Interested in a career in psychology, or mental health, but not sure where to start, or how to get on? Our monthly careers chats, interviewing people at different stages of their careers, working in lots of different areas are for you! Come, listen, ask questions and learn.

Join us as we speak to Dr Margo Ononaiye - a Clinical Psychologist by background, Margo is the first Black woman to be promoted to the role of Programme Director on a Doctorate in Clinical Psychology programme in the UK. She is also seconded into a part-time role of EDI Lead for the Psychological Professions Network South East providing a strategic overview to the EDI work that is being done, and needs to be done, within the psychology professions. Margo has an active interest in helping the world of psychology to become more inclusive and representative of the multicultural nation where we live and work.

No sign up is needed for this, please head to our Facebook page on the date and time above to join the live session: https://en-gb.facebook.com/OfficialBPS/.

Inspirations Stage: Beyond Autism

Time: 10.00 – 10.30

Beyond Autism will be here to talk about our Psychology graduate programme. We are home to a broad range of professionals including teachers, behaviour analysts, speech and language therapists and occupational therapists.  Our external professional networks extend even further to include clinical and educational psychologists, mental health practitioners and health professionals.  As part of our dedication to delivering excellence, we have launched a graduate programme to ensure our learners and their families have access to the best quality teaching and professionals.  Through the graduate programme, we hope to train some of the leading education practitioners of the future, whether they become teachers, behaviour analysts, psychologists or therapists. Come along and find out more!

How to sign up: Please use the ‘Book your place now’ button at the top of this page.

Please note: if costs are a barrier to attending this event please contact us at [email protected].

Pathways stage: Your Journey into clinical psychology

Time: 11.00 - 11.30

Join us to hear from clinical psychologists at different stages of their career journey, find out about their career journey so far, the challenges they faced in getting into clinical psychology and any advice they would give to support and inspire your own journey.

Speaking at this event:

• Hari Parekh – Trainee Clinical Psychologist
• Dr Reena Vohora - Consultant Clinical Psychologist, Academic Tutor and Equality, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) Lead
• Dr Nneamaka Ekebuisi – Clinical Psychologist and Clinical Tutor/Lecturer
• Dr Taryn Talbott – Therapies Tutor
• Dr Ben Rogers - Consultant Clinical Psychologist/ Trust Lead for Psychological Interventions

How to sign up: Please use the ‘Book your place now’ button at the top of this page.

Local Stage: Me, my Psychology degree and where it's taken me [Aberystwyth Students only]

Time: 13:00 - 15:00

Come and find out where your Psychology degree can take you. Hear from some of our graduates and their lives since leaving Aber and ask questions about preparing for life after your degree.

Please note: this event is only open to Aberystwyth University Students and Graduates only

How to sign up: Go straight to Medrus Mawr, 1 – 3pm (no booking required)

Local Stage: Psychology Career Pathway Talk - Educational Psychology [University of Dundee]

Time: 14.00 – 15.00

This session will provide an overview and insight into the role of an Educational Psychologist and the Stage 1 (Msc Educational Psychology) & Stage 2 qualification process in Scotland. We will have the MSc Educational Psychology Lecturing Team and current trainees delivering this event.

This University of Dundee has kindly opened this even to anyone who might be interested in studying in Scotland to become an Educational Psychologist.

You don’t need to sign up for this event, just access it live via this link.

Local Stage: Careers In Psychology: CEASE Remedi - Working with Domestic Abuse [University of Derby Students Only]

Time: 14:30 - 15:30

This talk will introduce students to work in a Domestic Abuse charity. Students will hear about the work of Remedi UK which uses restorative approaches to help the people accessing their services to be the people they can and want to be. Students will find out more about working with restorative justice, particularly in relation to domestic abuse. The talk will be delivered by one of our Psychology graduates, and how she went from student to working in this important role.

This event is open to University of Derby Students only.

Local Stage: Getting Shortlisted [University of Huddersfield Students Only]

Time: 15.00 – 16.30

Jobs, graduate schemes and further study all have their own timelines for applications - all of which start now! Come along to this session for advice on when and how to apply. And you’ll want to catch an employer or admission’s tutor’s attention with your CV and cover letter, or application form, so this session will provide you with tools and advice on how to make the most of your Psychology degree and experience to help you stand out from the crowd.

Please note: this event is open to University of Huddersfield students only]

How to sign up: All current University of Huddersfield Psychology students will automatically receive an invitation email from Jenny Retzler with information on how to join. Psychology graduates from the University of Huddersfield only who would like to attend can request an invitation by contacting Jenny on [email protected].

Pathways Stage: Division of Counselling Psychology Scotland – Inspiring Careers Event

Time: 18.00 - 20.00

Inspiring Careers is an event held annually by DCoP Scotland and it offers attendees the chance to hear from Counselling Psychologists within different career settings – NHS; private; academic; portfolio; 3rd sector. Recently we have added a current DPsych student to the panel as this has proved popular with attendees. Once the panel explains their journey and their work, attendees can ask the panel questions.

How to sign up: For more information and to sign up to this event please visit: https://www.bps.org.uk/event/inspiring-careers.

Inspirations stage: Applied Areas of Psychology

Time: 10.30am – 1.15pm.

Join us for an event exploring various different inspirational areas where psychology can be applied. Hear from speakers who will showcase some of the ways they use psychology across a variety of different sectors in many different job roles. Each speaker will provide an overview of the following;

• Their day in the life of…
• How they trained.
• How having psychological knowledge/a psychology degree benefits their role.
• What they love most about the role.
• What they find the most challenging about the role.
• Top tips for getting into the field.

Areas and Speakers confirmed are as follows:

• Welcome from Mia Pal - Mia is the Chair of North West Branch and Founder and Director of the private practice In Cognition UK ; trained as a neurolinguistics psychotherapist and clinical hypnotherapist, senior consultant on security, threat and risk, with over ten years’ experience in designing trauma informed protocols in highly emotionally charged environments.
• Sarah Watson from the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy - Sarah is a BACP Senior Accredited CYP Psychotherapist and a Cognitive Behavioural Therapist.
• Dr Dawn Branley-Bell, CPsychol - Dr Dawn Branley-Bell is a Chartered Psychologist, Medical Research Foundation Fellow and Senior Research Fellow at Northumbria University. Her research interests include online communities and links to health and wellbeing, remote healthcare support, eating disorders, explainable AI, and cybersecurity. Dr Branley-Bell will talking about what it's like to work within the exciting field of Cyberpsychology and discussing the journey that her career has taken to date.
• Emma Craddock, Korina Antoniades, and Katherine Rothman from the Association for Dance Movement Psychotherapy - Emma Craddock, Korina Antoniades, and Katherine Rothman are Dance Movement Psychotherapists. Emma works within an independent therapeutic fostering agency and supports foster parents in understanding trauma and therapeutic parenting. Korina works in mainstream primary education and is also part of an Early Years Inclusion Programme (NIPA). Katherine works with adults in the community (mainstream and learning disability services) for an NHS Trust.)
• Dr Daniel Jolley CPsychol - Dr Daniel Jolley is an Assistant Professor in Social Psychology at the University of Nottingham. His research explores the psychology of conspiracy theories, where he is interested in understanding why millions of people find conspiracy theories so appealing.
• Sindi Mvubu from The Frontline - Sindi currently works as a senior social worker in a childrens safeguarding team at Shropshire Council. Sindi started the frontline two year fast-track social work program in 2019 finishing with a masters degree in Social Work. Sindi studied at the University of Bedfordshire and gained a BSc in Psychology, Counselling and Therapies and an MSc in Health Psychology.
• Lloyd Emeka - Lloyd embarked on a career in the advertising industry after graduating with a masters' degree in Marketing from Aston Business School. He spent thirteen years working in the sector before returning to academia to pursue a second career in Psychology, and has subsequently completed two postgraduate degrees including a masters' degree in Applied Sport Psychology.
• Dr Simon Bowyer - Simon is a Registered Chartered Occupational Psychologist and the current Chair of the BPS Defence and Security Psychology section. Simon has over 20 years of experience in conducting applied research and providing evidence based advice with organisations performing mission-critical functions. He has previously worked on projects relating to topics such as assessment and selection of Armed Forces personnel, retention within the UK Armed Forces, organisational change, impacts of new technological systems on people and organisations, and understanding the role of people in cyber systems.

There is also time allocated at the end of the session for you to ask questions via the Q&A function.

How to sign up: Please use the ‘Book your place now’ button at the top of this page.

Please note: if costs are a barrier to attending this event please contact us at [email protected].

Pathways Stage: What are BPS Qualifications?

Time: 13.30 – 14.00

Join the BPS Qualifications and Assessment and Awards teams to find out about pathways to Chartered Membership available through BPS Qualifications.  Sarah and her team are responsible for delivering the Society’s doctoral level qualifications, which are an alternative to a University-based programme leading to eligibility for Chartered membership and HCPC registration.  Speaking at this event is:

• Sarah Worthington – Professional Development Delivery Manager
• Ayshea King – Assessment and Awards Lead

How to sign up: Please use the ‘Book your place now’ button at the top of this page.

Please note: if costs are a barrier to attending this event please contact us at [email protected].

Main Stage: Perspectives on Work Experience

Time: 14.00 – 15.00

This session will explore what is work experience and why it might be beneficial in your career journey. We will be joined by a panel who will provide different perspectives on work experience and hoping to inspire you to think about what experience you may want to try.  You will hear the perspectives from:

• A work experience provider – Open Door Charity
• An Admissions Tutor – Dr Neil Millar, Clinical Practice Director
• A current student – Ellie Duncan, Chair of the BPS Student Committee

How to sign up: Please use the ‘Book your place now’ button at the top of this page.

Please note: if costs are a barrier to attending this event please contact us at [email protected].

CPD Stage: CPD, the what’s and the whys

Time: 10.30 – 10:50

Join the BPS Careers Team as we consider what does Continuing Professional Development (CPD) mean and how might it benefit your career.

How to sign up: Please use the ‘Book your place now’ button at the top of this page.

Please note: if costs are a barrier to attending this event please contact us at [email protected].

CPD Stage: Stress Busting Workout

Time: 11.00 – 12.00

In any career where you need to contain the anxieties of others, it’s really important to have the tools and techniques with which you can manage your own. It’s time to learn to be well!

Key takeaways:  Practical ways to

• Recognise and manage low-level stress
• Create a buffer to the negative effects of stress
• Identify personal goals to flourish

When offered, such tools not only tend to enhance longevity of clinical intervention, but also build a sense of self-efficacy in the client persisting after therapy ends (Duckworth et al 2004).

This session will be delivered by Dr Audrey Tang and is ideal for anyone wanting to develop themselves.

How to sign up: Please use the ‘Book your place now’ button at the top of this page.

Please note: if costs are a barrier to attending this event please contact us at [email protected].

CPD Stage: NHS Return to Practice Programme

Time: 12.15 – 12.45

Natasha is a HCPC registered Physiotherapist, with 18 years health care experience. She graduated from Birmingham University in 2004 with BSc Physiotherapy, completed her MSc in Health Sciences at Keele University in 2012 and shortly after this an independent prescribing qualification.

"After qualifying I spent a couple of years on general rotations to gain a breadth experience. I then specialised in Musculoskeletal, initially Rheumatology, where I led the Physiotherapy service. In 2010, Natasha worked as a Physiotherapist Advanced Clinical Practitioner and Clinical team leader; my work included supporting the set up of the First Contact Practitioner roles. In 2019, I was success in gaining a secondment with Health Education England Midlands and East of England regions, focusing on establishing AHP councils and apprenticeships. I am very much looking forward to explaining how the Health Education England Return to Practice Programme can support Practitioner Psychologists to return to the register."

How to sign up: Please use the ‘Book your place now’ button at the top of this page.

Please note: if costs are a barrier to attending this event please contact us at [email protected].

Inspirations Stage: Serco - Training to become a Forensic Psychologist

Time: 14.00 – 15.00

Richard Crisp and Zoe Solomon from Serco will be talking about their experience of training to become forensic psychologists, particularly in Serco and the private prison service. They will cover the different ways to qualify as a forensic psychologist and the settings forensic psychologists work in. There will also be time allowed at the end for any questions which the audience might have.

How to sign up: Please use the ‘Book your place now’ button at the top of this page.

Please note: if costs are a barrier to attending this event please contact us at [email protected].

Inspirations Stage: College of Policing

Time: 10.00 – 10.45

The College of Policing is the professional body for policing in England and Wales. We work to support the police service by promoting policing excellence with the aim to reduce crime and keep people safe.

 Join Luke Jones (trainee Occupational Psychologist) and Louise Meade who will provide an insight as to how the College’s Occupational Psychology Community apply psychology to the police service and how this impacts policing on a national level. They will also provide information on our upcoming recruitment campaign.

They have exciting opportunities upcoming for individuals who are looking to begin a career in occupational psychology, as well as opportunities for those who already have experience as an occupational psychology practitioner. The session will be great for anyone who has an interest in how occupational psychology is applied to the world of policing. 

How to sign up: Please use the ‘Book your place now’ button at the top of this page.

Please note: if costs are a barrier to attending this event please contact us at [email protected].

Pathways Stage: Is Counselling Psychology for me?

Time: 12.00 – 13.00

Are you a psychology student who might be interested in considering a career in counselling psychology?

This is a free event which has been set up to inform and encourage aspiring counselling psychology applicants who identify as belonging to an underrepresented group who are interested in a career in counselling psychology.

Learning outcomes:

• What is counselling psychology?
• Working as a counselling psychologist
• Reflections on the application and interview process

The speakers will be Dr Dashnye Daloye, Dr Miltos Hadjiosif and Ben Amponsah.

How to sign up: Please use the ‘Book your place now’ button at the top of this page.

Please note: if costs are a barrier to attending this event please contact us at [email protected].

Inspirations Stage: Applied Behavioural Scientist

Time: 13.15 – 14.00

Join our guest speaker Lily Thompson. I'm an Applied Behavioural Scientist at Social Machines, and I hold a BSc in Psychology (Bangor University) and an MSc in Human Evolution and Behaviour (University College London).

Social Machines is a small research and innovation company that specialises in behaviour change and social influence. At the moment, we primarily focus on conducting research for clients in a cybersecurity context, but we also work on projects focusing on organisational culture and media literacy.

My role within the company is to lead the delivery of our projects to an excellent standard, ensuring that our clients and partners receive high-quality information about their questions of interest.

How to sign up: Please use the ‘Book your place now’ button at the top of this page.

Please note: if costs are a barrier to attending this event please contact us at [email protected].

Main Stage: Psychology Careers Festival… What Next?

Time: 14.00 – 14.30

Join James and Natalie from the BPS Careers Team as we discuss some of the main points which have arisen thought the week.  If you missed any sessions throughout the week we will be providing a recap of some key themes and we will also be providing you with some practical tips on action planning.

How to sign up: Please use the ‘Book your place now’ button at the top of this page.

Please note: if costs are a barrier to attending this event please contact us at [email protected].