Each year, the School of Psychology at the University of Aberdeen welcomes senior secondary pupils to a free day of talks, interactive workshops and conversations with staff and current students. The conference offers a lively introduction to psychology, whether pupils are considering studying it or are simply curious. No prior knowledge is needed.
2026: The Science of Being Human
This year’s conference features a keynote on how we respond to human faces and faces created using AI, six interactive workshop topics and a roundtable with staff and current students. Pupils can take part in up to four workshops.
Keynote
What Makes Us Look Human? The Psychology of AI Face Perception
10:15 - Dr Clare Sutherland, School of Psychology, University of Aberdeen
Dr Clare Sutherland will explore how we respond to human faces and faces created using AI, and what this reveals about how we interpret other people.
Get hands-on with psychology
Join our interactive workshops that let pupils explore different areas of psychology. The six workshop topics are:
- Illusions of the Mind: Perception, Attention, and Reality
Try activities that reveal how perception and attention can shape what we experience.
- Brains at Work: Applying Psychology to Everyday Contexts
Explore how psychological research can help explain everyday experiences and behaviour.
- Inside Clinical Psychology: What do they do and how do I get there?
Find out what clinical psychologists do and how people can pursue this area of psychology.
- Mind on the Stand: Psychology in the Courtroom
Explore how psychology can help us understand evidence and decision-making in legal settings.
- Discovering You: The Psychology of Personality
Find out how psychologists study personality and individual differences.
- Cognitive shortcuts: What’s in a label?
Consider how labels can shape the way we think about and respond to people.
Ask us anything about studying psychology
At the roundtable, you can put your questions directly to University of Aberdeen staff members and current psychology students. Find out what studying psychology is really like, what students enjoy about their course and what you might want to consider as you decide what to do after school.
Schedule
|
TIME |
ACTIVITY |
|
9:30 |
Arrival and registration |
|
10:00 |
Opening remarks |
|
10:15 |
Keynote: “What Makes Us Look Human? The Psychology of AI Face Perception” |
|
11:00 |
Morning workshop sessions |
|
12:00 |
Lunch break |
|
13:00 |
Roundtable: questions and answers with psychology staff and students |
|
14:00 |
Afternoon workshop sessions |
|
15:00 |
Closing remarks |
Information for teachers
This free event is for final-year secondary school pupils considering their next steps after school. No prior knowledge of psychology is needed.
Venue: King’s College Conference Centre, University of Aberdeen.
Arrival: Please arrive between 9:30 and 10:00 for registration. Opening remarks begin at 10:00. Schools are welcome to arrive earlier to look around the campus.
Workshops: Workshop sessions run more than once during the day, so pupils can choose different topics and take part in up to four workshops.
Lunch: A space will be available for pupils in the Students’ Union Building. Pupils may bring a packed lunch. Food outlets are available on campus, and shops including the Co-op and Tesco are about a five-minute walk away.
Travel and parking: Bus and coach drop-off and pick-up points include the MacRobert Building, the Science Teaching Hub, Elphinstone Road, High Street and the bus turning circle at the Sir Duncan Rice Library. Please contact the School if you need advice on which point to use. Car parking is limited and must be arranged in advance; contact us with the staff member’s name and vehicle registration to request a visitor permit.
Registration: Information about the 2027 conference will be added here when available.
Questions: jacqui.hutchison@abdn.ac.uk
Curious about psychology? Join us and explore where it could take you.