Psychologists assemble

This autumn's 'Psych at the mic' event is a student takeover with a more relaxed format (no microphones!). We know that the idea of networking in a room full of strangers can feel awkward but knowing what the event will look and feel like can help, so below is our guide and top tips for an enjoyable night.  

Register for the event for free on the BPS website.

What to expect

5:30-6pm Arrivals 
•    The event is being hosted at the Museum of Making in Derby; we will be in the entrance space/Civic Hall on the ground floor and the venue is fully accessible. 
•    We'll give you a name badge when you arrive, you can let us know your name and pronouns.
•    Let the committee know if you have any additional needs for the evening, for example, we can arrange to have 'silent clapping' if this will be helpful. 
•    Grab a drink.

Never been to the museum of making? Check out what the civic hall looks like.

6-6:30 pm 
•    You'll sit at a table with four to six other students and psychologists in the East Midlands.
•    Say hello to the people on your table and talk about your research - each table will have someone to facilitate the conversation, you get a maximum of 5 minutes to introduce your research. 
•    Feel free to use our fidget toys.

6:30-7pm 
We'll encourage you to get up and move around, look at posters that students have brought along or come and chat to the committee about opportunities to get involved. 

We will close the event at 7pm

This is a low-pressure networking event
Don't worry if you don't want to talk about your own research or studies. Just let your table facilitator know or use the tables 'I'm here to listen!' sign if you just want to say hello and leave it at that. 

Prompts: Need some inspiration on what to say? Here are some questions you could think of answering, choose two or three to share with the table, we'll have a copy of this list on each table too. 
•    Your name and the institution or workplace where you are doing your research or learning.
•    Tell us the working title of your research / or the name of the course you are on.
•    Population – which population does your research look at? 
•    Theory – Mention any key theories that your research uses.
•    Motivation – what inspired you to study psychology? 
•    Who would you like to connect with?

Dust off your posters - if you've presented your research in the last 12 months we'd love to see your poster, bring it along if it will help you share your research with the room.

FAQs

I'm not a student, can I come along? 
Yes! we'd love to see you, however the 5 min slots will be prioritised for us to hear about student research 

I can't make the Derby event? Can I join online? 
This event is face to face only, but we will arrange a separate online networking session in 2025. 

Can I help out on the night? 
Yes, let our team know when you arrive if you'd like to facilitate a table, we want this to be a student-led event. Members of our committee will also be available to talk about ways to get involved in branch activities. 

Can I bring a friend? 
Yes, please complete the registration form for every attendee so we know how many people to expect.