The purpose of the Psychhike is to allow Postgraduate students and staff time away from the School to present their research, learn from external academics and get some fresh air in the Mourne Mountains.

The 24 delegates were delighted to welcome Dr Raymond Reynolds from the University of Birmingham as key note speaker.  Dr Reynold’s talk addressed the effects of head-referenced vestibular feedback on motor output.  The team were also joined by Dr Johann Issartel and his student, Jennifer Kavanagh from DCU, who presented their research on balance bike and motor development

Attendees were encouraged to deliver 15 minute presentations which allowed for feedback on their research areas and presentation skills, along with opening up opportunities for future collaboration.  

One potential collaboration arising from PsychHike is between Dr Mihalis Doumas and Dr Reynolds on age differences in proprioception and ankle stiffness in balance control.

In addition to the presentations, two academic staff members from the School of Psychology, Dr Kate Woodcock and Dr Mihalis Doumas conducted a practical workshop on obtaining grants post-PhD and the process of viva voce.

Karolina Urbanska said: “As an organiser of this year’s PsychHike, I wish to express my gratitude to School of Psychology and Graduate School for their generous funding provided towards the organisation and running of this year’s meeting in the Mourne Mountains. The conference was well received by all who attended and created a relaxed atmosphere to enable us to present what we have been up to in the past year. Although the conference was originally organised by the Experimental Psychology Journal Club, the scope of the conference expanded in the past couple of years and this year we heard talks from across all fields of psychology. I am very pleased with all the positive feedback I received regarding the conference, and there’s a general enthusiasm about the next year’s meeting”.

To learn more about our postgraduate research opportunities click here