PsychFest

Learn from experts, connect with employers and discover where psychology can take you.
Alumni panel assembled for Psychology week 2024.

PsychFest 2026: Explore, Develop, Lead and Succeed

PsychFest is Leeds Trinity University's annual celebration of Psychology, bringing together students, staff, alumni, employers and guest speakers for a week of learning, inspiration and professional development.

Taking place from Monday 19 to Friday 23 October 2026, PsychFest gives students the opportunity to step beyond the classroom, explore current issues in psychology, develop career-ready skills, expand their professional networks and enhance their academic and personal wellbeing.

Throughout the week, students can take part in:

  • Keynote talks from academics, researchers and industry professionals
  • Interactive workshops exploring contemporary psychology topics
  • Employer and alumni guest speaker sessions
  • Careers, placement and postgraduate study advice
  • Professional skills and employability workshops
  • Student-led presentations and panel discussions
  • Leadership and volunteering showcases
  • Networking opportunities with practitioners and employers
  • Wellbeing and resilience activities
  • Social and community-building events

The programme brings together academics, practitioners, alumni and current students to share their expertise, experiences and career journeys.

 

This year's programme

 

The programme brings together academics, practitioners, alumni and current students to share their expertise, experiences and career journeys.

Daily Themes

Monday – Explore: Current and Emerging Issues in Psychology
Discover the latest developments, research and debates shaping the future of psychology.

Tuesday – Develop: Psychology in Professional Practice
Hear from professionals and employers, explore career pathways and develop skills for future study and employment.

Thursday – Lead: Today's Student, Tomorrow's Leader
Celebrate student voice, leadership, volunteering and the many ways students can make an impact within their communities and future professions.

Friday – Succeed: Psychological, Wellbeing and Academic Success
Focus on wellbeing, resilience, connection and the foundations that help students thrive both academically and personally.

 

Monday 19 November
Session time Session Speaker Room
9:00 - 10:00 PsychFest Pop-ups: Arrive, Explore and Connect   Auditorium
10:00 - 10:10 Welcome Address Shames Maskeen and Declan Jones Auditorium
10:10 - 10:40 Design the University of the Future Fayme Yeates Auditorium
10:40 - 11:00 Keynote: Born in Bradford Lydia Gunning, Chaired by Declan Jones Auditorium
11:05 - 12:00 Algorithms, AI and the Online Generation: How can research keep up? Megan Wood, Chaired by Lisa Webster Auditorium
Beyond the Podcast: Profiling, Prediction and Predation Tony Blockley AG55
Mental Health Beyong the Therapy Room Louisa Peters and Radhika Joshi LC1-42
Nature, Wellbeing and Sustainability Across Cultures: Who Benefits and Who Cares for Nature? Laura De Pretto Mary Hallaway Lecture Theatre
12:00 - 12:55 Lunch
13:00 - 13:55 Gambling and Trading Among University Students: What are the Ristks and How Can Universities Respond? Paul McGivern AG55
Who's in Control? The psychology of appetite and eating disorders Michelle Dalton AG32
Positive actions for promoting your wellbeing Tracey Laverick LC1-29A
14:00 - 15:00 Tinnitus = Congnitive Decline? When Health Headlines Outrun the Evidence James Jackson LC0-16
Poster Presentation Fayme Yeates AG32
Making Psychology Visual: Creating Effective Infographics Lisa Webster AS27
Public Speaking and Presentation Skills Tim Feather LC1-52
15:00 - 15:30 Break
15:30 - 15:55 The PsychFest Quiz: Students vs Staff Shames Maskeen and Declan Jones Mary Hallaway Lecture Theatre
15:55 - 16:00 Closing remarks Shames Maskeen and Declan Jones Mary Hallaway Lecture Theatre
From 16:00 PsychFest: Stay and Share   Mary Hallaway Lecture Theatre
Tuesday 20 November
Session time Session Speaker Room
9:00 - 10:00 Employer Challenge Launch (Level 4 Students Only) Shames Maskeen, Fayme Yeates, Lewis Miles-Berry and Richard Simpson; AG55
10:00 - 10:05 Welcome Address Shames Maskeen and Hannah Ahmed AG55
10:05 - 10:25 Keynote: Exploring Professional Pathways in Psychology Bruce Rainford AG55
10:25 - 11:00 Keynote: Journey to Clinical Psychology Ibreeze Ahmed, Chaired by Hannah Ahmed AG55
11:05 - 11:00 Panel: What is it like to be a Psychologist? Ibreeze Ahmed, Karin Spenser and Bruce Rainford, Chaired by Fayme Yates AG55
12:00 - 13:30 Careers + Placements Fair: Next Steps and Lunch Atrium
13:00 - 13:55 Contemporary Debates in Forensic Psychology Russ Woodfield and Zac Nahouli AG55
Careers in Counselling and Clinical Psychology: Two Perspectives Ibreeze Ahmed and Bruce Rainford AS27
How can campus make health behaviour easier? Ben Morris AF21
14:00 - 14:55 From Research to Practice: Using Evidence from Psychology to Improve Teaching Rachel Conlon-Bose AG55
Three Days in the Life of an Occupational PsychologistL Regional, National and International Practice Bruce Rainford AS27
Bridging the research-practice gap: A Collaborative Approach to Supporting Retired Athletes Helen Heaviside-Brown AF21
15:00 - 15:55 Change is good: Continuous Improvement Mindset Tahera Mayat AS27
Personal and Academic Resilience: Connecting the dots Lisa Webster AF36
Shaping the Future: Managing interpersonal expectancies in Performance settings Helen Heaviside-Brown AF21
Applying for Postgraduate Study Kate Gedling AG55
Why Psychology is important for an internship or graduate scheme Tim Feather AF34
From 16:00 'PsychFest: Stay and Share   AS27
Thursday 22 November
Session time Session Speaker Room
10:00 - 10:10 Welcome Address Shames Maskeen and Lizzi Stafford Auditorium
10:10 - 10:30 Keynote: Making a Difference with Bradford District and Craven Mind Frances Chappelow, Chaired by Lizzi Stafford Auditorium
10:30 - 10:55 Joint Keynote: Volunteering from employers and student perspectives: Lighthouse Futures Trust Shairb Mohammed, Declan Jones and Hannah Ahmed Auditorium
11:00 - 11:55 Alumni panel: The reality of life after graduation Chris Mellor, Frances Chappelow, Will Clark, Uzair Qureshi, Poppy Dean and Ken Etchell, Chaired by Ammarah Pandor Auditorium
12:00 - 12:55 Lunch
13:00 - 13:55 Welcome to Turning Point Jessica Berry, Chaired by Shames Maskeen AS27
Survival and Sucess in your First Year of University Declan Jones AF35
Getting Started in Research: Past Experiences, Current Research, Tips and Tricks Caitlin Fieldhouse AF21
Mental Health Ash Fox AG21
Stress Bucket Andrea Wallman, Chaired by Fayme Yeates AG55
14:00 - 14:55 Panel: Beyond your Degree: Postgraduate Research Pathways Patrick Leonard and Caitlin Fieldhouse, Chaired by Lisa Webster Mary Hallaway Lecture Theatre
14:55 - 15:10 Break
15:10 - 16:00 Debate: Putting AI on Trial Tony Blockley, Paul McGivern, Laura De Pretto, Fayme Yeates, Lisa Webster and Ben Morris, Moderated by Tim Vestner Mary Hallaway Lecture Theatre
16:00 to 16:30 The PsychFest Awards: Celebrating our Psychology Community   Mary Hallaway Lecture Theatre
Friday 23 November
Session time Session Speaker Room
10:00 - 10:10 Welcome Address Fayme Yeates, Declan Jones, Hannah Ahmed and Lizzi Stafford Auditorium
10:10 - 11:00 Keynote: The Mask, the Pressure and the Real Work of Feeling Successful Emma Stirk, Chaired by Fayme Yeates Auditorium
11:00 - 12:30 PsychFest Film Screening   Auditorium
11:00 - 14:30 PsychFest Wellbeing hub   AS27
12:30 - 12:45 PsychFest Gives Back: Soak staff/students with Ice Water   Meet outside Atrium
12:45 - 13:15 Lunch
13:15 - 13:50 Move, Breathe, Reset: Tai Chi Ben Morris AG55
13:50 - 14:25 Mindful Birdwatching Declan Jones Meet in the Atrium
14:30 to 16:00 Sports Day   Meet at the Running Track

 

More Than an Event

PsychFest is also an opportunity to strengthen our Psychology community. Students are encouraged not only to attend sessions, but to contribute, share their experiences, lead activities and connect with others across different levels of study and areas of professional practice.

Whether they are just starting their degree, exploring postgraduate opportunities, considering future careers or preparing to enter the workplace, PsychFest helps students broaden their horizons, build confidence and discover where Psychology can take them.

 

Why attend Psychology Week?

PsychFest aims to get our students thinking beyond the classroom – highlighting the transferable skills gained through a Psychology degree and how to build a future-ready career as a modern psychologist.

Reflecting on the inspiring Psychology Week 2025, students attended keynote talks, workshops and networking sessions led by leading academics, practitioners and authors. Guest speakers included:

  • Professor Steve Peters, consultant psychiatrist and author of The Chimp Paradox
  • Justin Rollins, critically acclaimed author
  • Dr Megan Wood, Senior Research Fellow at the Bradford Centre for Health Data Science
  • Zahoor Ahmad, Head of Social Mobility, Inclusion and Belonging at the Co-op Group
  • Dr Rufus May, Consultant Clinical Psychologist
  • Professor Peter Hegarty from The Open University.

Listen to our own staff and students on the benefits of attending PsychFest (formerly Psychology Week).

Previous Psychology Weeks

Each year, our Psychology Weeks allow our students to explore contemporary issues in psychology, build professional skills, enhance their wellbeing, and connect with academics, alumni, and employers.

Alongside inspiring guest speakers, previous events have included:

  • Careers and employability sessions
  • Research showcases and Psychology fairs
  • Academic skills workshops
  • Networking opportunities with professionals and alumni
  • Wellbeing and resilience activities
  • Mindfulness, Tai Chi and creative wellbeing sessions
  • Mindful walks, bird watching, board games and LEGO play
  • Workshops exploring resilience, self-compassion, study skills and personal development

Our 2026 Psychology Wellbeing Week placed a particular focus on psychological health, wellbeing and belonging, helping our students develop confidence, build connections and create positive habits that support both their academic success and personal wellbeing.

These events allow students to broaden their knowledge, strengthen their networks and explore the many career pathways available within psychology.

Psychology team photo with Professor Steve Peters.
The LTU Psychology team with Professor Steve Peters
Image of keynote speaker, Justin Rollins.
Keynote speech from Justin Rollins
Image of students at the Psychology Week Careers Fair.
Psychology students visiting the Psychology Week Careers Fair
Image of our LTU Psychology Society at the Psychology Week Careers Fair.
Psychology students discovering more more about the SU LTU Psychology Society
Colleagues from the School of Psychology take part in a Tai Chi session
Psychology staff and students taking part in a Taoi Chi class