Psych!York – public engagement success
Posted on 28 June 2016
Psych!York was part of the University of York’s Festival of Ideas and took place in the Guildhall in the centre of York. The day was a huge success, attracting over 350 visitors, including the mayor. Psych!York comprised 12 interactive exhibits, as well as visual illusions, psychology- and brain-themed colouring in for children, information about signing up as a PEEBS participant, and discounts on 20 psychology-related books from Waterstones, Coney Street. Visitors took part in demonstrations designed by over 15 members of the department on topics ranging from body perception and language learning to live EEG recordings and sleep research. The demonstrators were supported by volunteers from the undergraduate and MSc programs who helped to ensure the day ran smoothly.
Prior to the day itself, demonstrators and other members of the ECR community had the chance to take part in a public engagement training day run by Helga from the University’s RDT team. As a result, the day provided not just hands on public engagement experience, but also training, and materials which can be reused by demonstrators and their lab groups in the future.
Psych!York was organised and run entirely by members of our ECR community, led by James Strachan, Charlotte Murphy and Kay Ritchie. The day was supported by funding from the University’s Graduate School Association and from YuFund.