AI, radicalisation & influencers: How does the web change your behaviour?

Pub Psychology: Drinks, talk & networking.

Understanding the Landscape

Understand how and why digital environments shape your identity, emotions and behaviour. What happens in a single internet minute? And what impact can this have on you? Why might you act differently online to the 'true' version of yourself? You'll delve into key cyberpsychiatric concepts while learning how gangs, harassers, stalkers and conspiracy theories thrive online.

Psychological Dimensions

How are digital platforms built to engage, persuade and keep you returning for more? You'll be able to explain how platforms influence your attention, mood, belief formation, and behavioural reinforcement. Why might this be a deeper problem in the information age? And what can you do about it?

AI, radicalisation & online influencers

Identify emerging digital-related mental health risks. How can people can go from online curiosity to violence? Why might you get attached/dependant on online influencers or AI relationships? And is AI the next generation in mental illness? You'll also delve into increased online vulnerability from at-risk groups including young people, autistic individuals and those with severe mental illness.

Intervention

You'll get practical, non-judgemental approaches to understand how digital systems work and manage healthier, safer online behaviour. Learn about assessment and intervention, integrating digital behaviour into clinical and safeguarding practice.

Get a season ticket - your guaranteed spot (just 25 available) for the winter/spring pub psychology series

The Speaker

Dr Damon Parsons

Dr Damon Parsons is a forensic psychiatrist at Broadmoor Hospital - England's oldest high-security psychiatric hospital. Dr Parsons serves as a ward doctor and honorary research fellow. He has a longstanding academic and clinical interest in the intersection between mental health and the digital world.

Dr Parsons is the founder of CEAR (Cyberpsychiatry Education Awareness Research), an initiative dedicated to understanding how online environments shape mental illness, identity, and behaviour. His work is informed by both clinical expertise and lived experience.

He has been a vocal advocate for the development of cyber-psychiatry as a distinct sub-field. His research has addressed topics including online radicalisation, incel ideology and the impact of influencers such as Andrew Tate.

Dr Parsons has delivered talks and training sessions for a wide range of national and international bodies, including the American Psychiatric Association, the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), and the UK’s National Crime Agency (NCA).

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The Agenda

18:30-19:30 - Arrivals & structured networking/ice-breakers

Arrive, mingle and grab drinks. You'll have more time than ever before to meet others. You'll be moving between tables in small groups discussing intriguing discussion/ice-breaker questions (optional). If you want to meet like-minded professionals you're welcome to join. This part of the event's ideal for anyone who works (or aspires to work) in psychology, neuroscience, education, healthcare or related fields.

19:30-20:20- 'TED style' talk

Learn something new. You'll get printed handouts from the Powerpoint slides. Ticket holders will get a recording of the talk after the event (subject to agreement from the speaker/capacity in our team).

20:10 - 20:40 - Q and A

Question time - the chance to ask your questions about this topic and anything else you'd like to know with our expert speaker.

20:40 - 22:00 - Networking mingle

Informally meet our speaker and other likeminded people, continuing conversations, drinks, sharing knowledge and reflections. Whether you've got a personal or professional interest, anyone who wants to connect with young professionals is welcome to join! This is a great way to expand your social and professional network.

Get a season ticket - your guaranteed spot (just 25 available) for the winter/spring pub psychology series

The Venue

You'll have exclusive use of the private 'Green Room' (upstairs) at the Star of Kings pub - just a 5 minute walk from Kings Cross train/tube station. Further details about the pub can be found here.

This pub has a lovely array of craft beers, cocktails and soft drinks. The pub recently updated its menu to include a range of burgers from award-winning 'Filthy Buns'. You'll also be a short stroll from a number of restaurants around Kings Cross.

One of the few traditional pubs in Kings Cross, the Star of Kings boasts a large beer garden and classic arcade games downstairs.

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FAQs – Pub psychology events

Who attends these events?

This event is open to anyone regardless of religion, race, ethnicity, sexual orientation or gender. Many attendees have a professional interest working (or aspiring to work) in psychology, neuroscience, healthcare, counselling, wellness and wellbeing, education or related fields. You're also welcome to come along if you have a personal interest in the subject matter. This is an ideal way to expand your social and professional network..

Will you sell tickets on the door?

No! All our tickets are sold before the event so please don't arrive on the day without a ticket as you'll be turned away. Pub psychology events are popular and tend to sell-out. Please get a ticket in advance!

I’m not sure if I’ll arrive in time after work. Should I still come?

Yes! If you have a ticket, please come whenever you can (ideally before the talk begins). For pub psychology events, most talks begin 1 hour after the scheduled start time. This gives you time to settle in, network with others and grab a drink or food. Please double check the event agenda on Ticket Tailor (the platform we use to sell tickets) as times vary depending on the event.

Will I be able to network?

Yes! You're welcome to come along if you've got a personal or professional interest and/or want to meet new people. Based on feedback, we’ve added loads of new opportunities for mingling. Many people attend alone and please do reach out if you want to be introduced to anyone or need support. For pub psychology events, we recommend arriving early for ice breakers. We’ll also have a pub psychology quiz arranged in groups and there’s always a friendly group of us who’ll stay for drinks afterwards.

Can I come just for the talk?

Absolutely! If you'd prefer to come along for just the expert 'TED style' talk (skipping the networking/mingling bits) you're more than welcome to arrive later and before the talk begins. Please keep in mind all seats are unreserved.

Are you on social media?

Yes - we are! Join our Whatsapp group to hear about the latest events: WhatsApp Group Invite

You can also follow us on Instagram: @Conn8cting

How can I get tickets for more than one event? Is there a deal?

You can get a season ticket. This guarantees your spot for each event in the series (just 25 available) and is the best value option.

About us

Want to learn about psychology, neuroscience and healthcare while meeting like-minded people in London? You're in the right place. Exclusive educational talks and mingling events for young professionals. Conn8cting 'TED style' talks are ideal for anyone with a professional or personal interest in the topics and want to meet likeminded people.

Our talks cover every topic you can think of. From the psychology of laughter, happiness, decision-making and regret to psychosis, narcissism, incels, drugs and psychopaths. You'll learn interesting stuff delivered by experts, in-person.

Learn something new, meet someone new.🧠