Emerging Minds in a Changing World – UPCA Students’ Research Summit

The UPCA Student Research Summit – Emerging Minds in a Changing World – is a one-day celebration of creativity, inquiry, and connection within the counselling and psychotherapy research community. This annual event brings together trainee and newly accredited practitioners to showcase the innovation and dedication that are shaping the next generation of research in our field.

Designed to foster learning, dialogue, and collaboration, the summit invites student-led research presentations and workshops. Participants will have the opportunity to share their ideas, explore diverse methodologies, and engage with both peers and established researchers in an inclusive, stimulating environment.

Event Highlights

Keynote Presentations from Leading Researchers and Practitioners

Our keynote speakers are all respected leaders in their specialist areas, each actively contributing to the growth of the research community through their own projects, research teams, and student mentorship. Together, they will guide participants through essential themes and frontiers in counselling and psychotherapy research:

• Oktober Evennett – Opening & Closing Remarks

Chair of Council for UPCA, Oktober will open and close the summit, setting a reflective and visionary tone for the day.

• Dr Faisal Mahmood – How to Choose a Research Subject

An experienced researcher and educator, Faisal will share practical insights into developing and refining research questions that align with professional curiosity and academic rigour.

• Dr Dwight Turner – Creativity in Research

A renowned scholar known for his work on intersectionality and diversity, Dwight will inspire participants to embrace creativity, authenticity, and innovation in their research approaches.

• Professor Gary Winship – Future Vision for Research / Ethics for Autoethnography

A leading voice in psychotherapy research, Gary will explore the ethical and methodological considerations shaping the future of qualitative inquiry.

• Phil Goss – IPA and TA

A specialist in interpretative phenomenological analysis and transactional analysis, Phil will offer a rich exploration of how these methods can illuminate personal and relational meaning in research.

• Heike Myers – Reflexivity in Research

Heike brings her expertise in reflexivity and supervision to support students in understanding the researcher’s position and its impact on inquiry.

Student Workshops

Interactive sessions led by students will run in parallel breakout rooms throughout the day, offering an opportunity to share projects, exchange feedback, and engage in peer-to-peer learning.

Round Tables and Debates

Dynamic discussions with keynote speakers and course leaders will explore pressing questions in research ethics, methodology, and the evolving role of the practitioner-researcher. Expect stimulating debate and thoughtful reflection.

Why Attend

Participants will:

• Gain insights into current and emerging research methodologies.
• Develop confidence in presenting and discussing their own work.
• Experience a sense of belonging within a vibrant community of researchers.
• Leave inspired to take their learning forward into practice and further study.

Call for Abstracts

We invite abstract submissions for student-led presentations and workshops. This is a valuable opportunity to share your research journey, exchange ideas, and contribute to a growing dialogue on the future of psychotherapy and counselling research.

RECORDING

This conference will be recorded and the recordings are included in the live admission tickets. This will be useful for colleagues who are not able to attend the event live and also for those who attend the event live and want to watch it again.

ZOOM

This event will be hosted on the Zoom meeting platform where we will use our cameras and microphones to interact with each other as a group.

TICKETS

The Ticket price for this conference is £20.00. The ticket provides access to the LIVE event on Zoom & the conference Recording.

CPD CERTIFICATE

After attending the LIVE conference, your CPD certificate will be emailed to you.

If you watch the event on catch-up, you can download your certificate from Onlinevents CPD Library.

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At Onlinevents, we and the presenters we collaborate with are committed to working in a way that aligns with the ethical codes and frameworks of our respective professional organisations. We expect all colleagues attending our events to uphold the ethical principles of their professional membership.

If you are not a member of a professional organisation, we ask that you participate in a way that is both authentic and respectful, fostering a space of mutual learning and professional engagement.

By registering for this event, you agree to be present and interact in a manner that reflects these principles.