News and Events

Sunday 23 February 2020, 09:00-16:30

Forum Exploration Lab 1, The Forum, Streatham Campus, University of Exeter

The aim of this workshop is for year 12 students to learn about psychological research methods from active researchers from the Department of Psychology at the University of Exeter.

How much will it cost?

There is a £20 registration fee for the workshop. This event is organised by the School Research Consortium and are supported by the University of Exeter’s Widening Participation agenda. If your school is eligible for this scheme all fees will be waived. Please ask your teacher if your school is eligible under this scheme, and contact us for the waiver code.

How do I book a place?

Students are invited to book their place on this event by visiting the University of Exeter Online Store. For any further information, please contact j.cowan@exeter.ac.uk. 

Summer Workshop, Wednesday July 20th 2016, 09:00-17:00
School of Psychology, University of Exeter

The aim of this series of workshops is to provide technical knowledge, skills and support to EPQ students allowing them to develop independently within a structured framework of actual on-going psychological research. It is our goal that students are given the opportunity to independently develop their own research knowledge and skills, to actively engage in the research process including generation of theory-driven research questions, data collection and quantitative data analysis and in the communicating of their results.

The Summer Workshop at the University of Exeter is the first of three workshops and will focus on practical ways to manage and plan the project, including the use of library resources and how to tackle writing a literature review. Subsequent workshops in the autumn and spring terms will focus on data collection, data analysis and communication skills.

This event is organised by the Exeter Psychology School Research Consortium, supported by the University of Exeter’s Widening Participation agenda and suitable for the AQA, Edexcel, OCR and WJEC examination boards.

Overview of the Summer Workshop

Pre-course requirements:

• To register before the course (completing an on-line student profile)
• Submit the first on-line task.

Session 1: Welcome & Planning your project

1. This session explores time management and planning techniques (including keeping a research log), as well as helping students to adopt a realistic timeline for their project.

Session 2: Research skills

1. Use library resources and bibliographic aids in conducting a systematic literature review (access to the on-line library at Exeter University, ‘Smart Reading’, ‘Referencing, Not Plagiarising’).
2. The practicalities and ethics of socially sensitive research (covering issues that are likely to be encountered working in schools and with young people; time management, professional relationships, and academic honesty).

Lunch and guided tour of University campus by Student Ambassadors from the Department of Psychology

Session 3: Research methods

1. Selection and use of different research methods for different specific research questions: qualitative versus quantitative.
2. Introduction to questionnaire design (including questionnaires used in current CAN projects).
3. Developing and conducting semi-structured interviews.

Session 4: An introduction to the CAN group’s on-going projects.

1. Introduction to the Child and Adolescent Neuropsychology group (Dr Anna Adlam)
2. Presentations on the different on-going research projects

How much will it cost?

There is a £30 registration fee for the Y12 Exploring Psychology Day and a £30 registration fee for the Technical training for the EPQ for Psychologists workshops.

This event (and other activities) are organised by the CAN School Research Consortium and are supported by the University of Exeter’s Widening Participation agenda. If your school is eligible for this scheme all fees will be waivered. Please ask your teacher if your school is recognised by the University of Exeter as eligible under this scheme.

How do I book a place?

Students are invited to book their place on this event or the Y12 Explore Psychology Workshop by visiting the University of Exeter Online Store.

Please note: Due to the limited number of places, no more than two students from each school will be accepted for this workshop. Please ask your Psychology Teacher if anyone else has registered otherwise your payment will be refunded.

For any further information, please contact our team: CAN-edu@exeter.ac.uk.

Finding us

• Directions to the University by road, rail, and air.
• Campus maps showing where we are on the campus.

Tuesday 19^th July, 2016 09:00-17:00

Washington Singer room 219, Streatham Campus, Exeter University, UK.

Overview

This day long course will give Y12 students a taste of what it is like to study psychology at university through a series of specialist lectures, group discussion seminars, and project work with the opportunity to meet leading experts in their field. Each session will have a theme that centres around core areas of psychology that are studied during the final year of A-level. Advice will also be given on applying to universities and writing personal statements.

This is a unique opportunity to learn about the different subject areas in psychology, current research that academics are conducting, as well as finding out where a psychology degree could take you.

Speakers include:

Dr Natalia Lawrence (University of Exeter, Department of Psychology) “Compulsive behaviour and mood disorders: Why do some people lose control over their behaviour and emotions?”

Professor Tasmin Ford (University of Exeter Medical School) “How do we measure mental health in young people?”

Dr Anna Adlam (University of Exeter, Department of Psychology) “Can cognitive psychology models help us to understand and treat depression?”

Satellite Teacher CPD Workshop:

The aim of this workshop is to discuss supporting super-curricular learning for highly able students, to discuss ways of assisting students in completing an EPQ in psychology, to provide advice on supporting students who are applying to highly selective institutions, and to present ways of developing classroom teaching from research projects.

How much will it cost?

There is a £30 registration fee for the Y12 Exploring Psychology Day and a £30 registration fee for the Technical training for the EPQ for Psychologists workshops.

This event (and other activities) are organised by the CAN School Research Consortium and are supported by the University of Exeter’s Widening Participation agenda. If your school is eligible for this scheme all fees will be waivered. Please ask your teacher if your school is recognised by the University of Exeter as eligible under this scheme.

How do I book a place?

Students are invited to book their place on this event or the Technical training for the Extended Project Qualification for Psychologists by visiting the University of Exeter Online Store.

For any further information, please contact our team: CAN-edu@exeter.ac.uk.

Finding us

• Directions to the University by road, rail, and air
• Campus maps showing where we are on the campus

• Download the Paediatric Neurocognitive Interventions workshop outcomes (.pdf)

Workshop presentations:

• Anna Adlam & Het Roberts: Neuropsychological Interventions for Children and You
• Brahm Norwich: What can Lesson Study offer interprofessional collabora8on to su
• Catherine Gallop: Intro to CYP-IAPT and Transforma6on: Core Aims and Values (.p
• Ayla Humphrey & Suzanna Watson: The Cambridge Centre for Paediatric Neuropsycho
• Julie Mytton: Care pathways for children and young people with head injuries (.
• Tamsin Ford - Supporting Teachers and Children in Schools (.pdf)
• Richard Tomlinson: Neuropsychological Interventions Implications for service de

Free workshop: Thursday 25^th June 2015 09:00-17:00

Washington Singer room 219, Streatham Campus, Exeter University, U.K.

This workshop will be the first in a series of three that will focus on the development of an adoption, implementation, and maintenance plan of neuropsychological interventions for paediatric acquired brain injury in the NHS and educational contexts.

The workshop will involve input from commissioners, educational providers, clinical service leads, parents, researchers, and charities.

Overview

In the UK a child injures their brain every 30 minutes. Paediatric acquired brain injury (pABI) can affect cognition, emotion, and behaviour, which can impair the child’s ability to cope with everyday life and gain future independence. Despite these long-term difficulties, children with pABI do not automatically receive specialist education, often returning to mainstream schools with little or no additional support. Furthermore, although some specialist NHS services do exist in the UK, children are often discharged from services before any neuropsychological effects of pABI manifest themselves (e.g., some cognitive functions mature later in childhood, causing difficulties to present years after injury).

Aims

1. Facilitate engagement between key stakeholders involved in local and national clinical and educational provision.
2. Identify examples of best practice, and develop a collaborative strategic plan for the delivery of neuropsychological interventions in the South West.
3. Establish a collaborative network of key stakeholders to contribute to the development and implementation of such a plan, and a platform for future work.
4. Provide a platform for all delegates to enhance their understanding and contribution to local and national clinical and educational policies.

Outcomes

1. A platform and network to inform and influence local and national clinical and educational policies for Children and Young People, particularly those with pABI.
2. Identified areas for strategic clinical-research and education-research.
3. Professional development opportunity for delegates interested in understanding and contributing to local and national clinical and educational policies.
4. A report to share with the NHS England and other national policy-makers, with specific guidance on adoption, implementation, and maintenance plan of neuropsychological interventions in the NHS and educational context.

Detailed programme will be available soon.

For any further information, please contact Dr Anna Adlam and the team: a.r.adlam@exeter.ac.uk.

For directions and travel information to help plan your journey please see www.exeter.ac.uk/mooddisorders/location.

Event organisers

Dr Anna Adlam^a, Dr Catherine Gallop^a, Dr Het Roberts^a, Professor Tamsin Ford^b, Professor Brahm Norwich^c, Dr Richard Tomlinson^d, and Anna Mouser^e.

a Psychology, University of Exeter, U.K.
b University of Exeter Medical School, U.K.
c Graduate School of Education, University of Exeter, U.K.
d Community Child Health & Acute Paediatrics, Royal Devon and Exeter NHS Foundation Trust.
e British Psychological Society, Division of Neuropsychology Policy Officer.

4th February 2015, 4pm Room 219 Washington Singer

SPACES ARE LIMITED - TO BOOK A SPACE PLEASE CONACT info@ukabif.org.uk

James tells his story of surviving a traumatic brain injury

A man who suffered a traumatic brain injury (TBI) will describe his incredible experience and the challenges faced by himself and others at a special event at the University of Exeter on February 4.

James Piercy will be joined at the talk by Professor Huw Williams of Psychology to discuss the wider impacts of brain injury on society.

James was involved in a serious road traffic accident in January 2011 when a nail punctured the tyre of the car he was traveling in, causing it to leave the road and hit a tree at around 50 mph. As well as a fractured rib and scarred spleen and kidney, he suffered a severe injury to his brain and spent nearly two months in hospital. 

He will be telling his story and hopes that others can learn from his difficult experience. He said: “My head injury was classed as ‘very severe’ and my recovery has been described as 'phenomenal’ – I owe my life to a lot of people, some great science and more than a little luck.”

James will take the audience on a journey which promises to be funny, shocking and sometimes emotional. There will also be a chance to find out about the monitoring and treatment of head injury, discussion of how much we really know about our brains and the impact of this 'hidden disability'.

Professor Williams is a neuropsychologist who works on projects to improve neurorehabilitation for people with brain injury. He will give an overview of the challenges faced by people with TBI, and the need for better services to support them.

The talk, entitled “What’s going on in his head?” will be taking place from 4 – 6pm, Wednesday 4th February in Room 219, Washington Singer Building, University of Exeter, EX4 4QG.

Those wishing to attend must book a place through Chloe Hayward by contacting info@ukabif.org.uk or 0845 6080788.

James Piercy works for the Cardiff-based science communication company Science Made Simple Ltd and developed the talk as a way of getting back to work. He has received support from the Wellcome Trust.

The event has been planned with the advice and support of three leading brain injury charities: The United Kingdom Acquired Brain Injury Forum

Sports concussion: impact and management

Professor Huw Williams and colleagues will be working with the Exeter Chiefs Rugby Club to improve safety and management of the impact of injuries during head trauma.
Coverage included University press release, Exeter Chiefs, Western Morning News, ITV and others.

New Centre for Research Ageing and Cognitive Health

Professor Linda Clare has joined the University of Exeter and will lead the new Centre for Research in Ageing and Cognitive Health. The centre aims to improve the lives of people with dementia. Its research focuses on two main themes: maintaining mental fitness and well-being in later life, and living well with age-related cognitive disability and dementia.

Coverage included University press release, Western Morning News and others.

Premature Deaths from traumatic brain injuries

Professor Huw Williams took part in a briefing into the effects of traumatic brain injuries based upon his research investigating the long-term impacts and what it can mean for patients.

Coverage included BBC News, The Guardian and The Telegraph amongst others.

Traumatic brain injury in young offenders

Research by Williams, Cordan, Mewse, Tonks and Burgess (2010) found that young offenders have an increased rate of Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI), and that TBI is associated with more convictions with greater violence.

This research has appeared on the BBC news website, on a BBC Radio 4 programme called All in the Mind and in Time Magazine.

These findings have also been mentioned by organisations with an interest in brain injury, including Headway and The United Kingdom Acquired Brain Injury Forum (UKABIF).

Huw Williams will join other academics and practitioners to give evidence as part of the committee inquiry into ‘Brain injury and the criminal justice system’  and explain what can be done to identify and treat offenders with traumatic brain injuries (TBI) and reduce reconviction rates in Scotland. This was covered by the University of Exeter, Daily Record, The Courier, Press and Journal and The Herald Scotland. 

Huw Williams is working with the Disabilities Trust and Youth Justice Board to place Link Workers into Young Offender Institutions. They support staff in assessment of TBI, and then provide advice to staff and offer one to one support to the person identified as having a TBI.

Her Majesty’s Inspectorate of Prisons (HMIP) – which oversees the running of prisons and wellbeing of prisoners in the UK - recently reported on how important provision of such services are for staff in relation to managing behavioural problems. Read the report (Report on an unannounced inspection of  HMYOI Hindley by HM Chief Inspector of Prisons 3 – 14 March 2014).

Research collaboration with Somerset Care

The University's Psychology School has forged research links with Somerset Care. An award for "Outstanding Dementia Research" made at the first ever National Dementia Care Awards in November 2010 recognised the progressive programme of research from this unique partnership.