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Celebrating 60 years of Applied Psychology at University College Cork
- UCC marked six decades of Applied Psychology with a conference highlighting the field’s contributions to society.
- The conference explored how UCC applied psychology research is improving mental health, countering misinformation, and improving healthy ageing.
- The event underlined psychology’s role in shaping solutions to current and future global issues.
From improving mental health and healthy ageing to tackling misinformation and emerging technologies, applied psychology is driving solutions to today’s toughest challenges. This real-world impact of applied psychology was at the centre of a conference marking 60 years of Applied Psychology at University College Cork (UCC).
Hosted by the School of Applied Psychology, the event brought together industry leaders, collaborators, researchers, students, and a vibrant community of psychologists to celebrate past achievements and explore future directions.
The event explored the School of Applied Psychology’s impact and innovation across a wide range of areas, including Children, Healthy Ageing and Development, Mental Health and Wellbeing, Collective Social Futures, and People and Technology.
Professor Chris McCusker, Head of the School of Applied Psychology in UCC College of Arts, Celtic Studies and Social Sciences, said: “In this, our 60th year, we celebrate the innovation and impact of our research programmes and the many successes of our students over the decades. We also honour one of our most influential leaders, Professor John McCarthy, on his retirement, and acknowledge his enormous contributions to the School and the discipline.”
“This anniversary was not only an opportunity to celebrate, but also to reflect on how psychology can help address the social challenges of our time. We hope the conversations sparked here will inspire new collaborations and networks that build on our legacy and shape the future,” Professor McCusker said.
A highlight of the conference was the keynote lecture, Designing with responsibility? Activating empathy and compassion in more-than human worlds, delivered by Dr Rachel Clarke, Advances in Experience-Centred Human Computer Interaction, University of the Arts, London. Dr Clarke was joined in conversation by Professor John McCarthy, Retiring Chair of Applied Psychology at UCC, reflecting on decades of contribution and future opportunities for the field.
The conference highlighted recent successes, showcasing the School’s research impact on pressing issues such as conspiracy theories, deepfakes, and women’s health. It also celebrated major achievements in securing competitive funding, including recent European research awards.
Alongside research excellence, the event recognised the breadth of student opportunities — from the Applied Psychology BA and the Psychology and Computing BA to doctoral studies — and celebrated the achievements of undergraduate and postgraduate students and researchers.
Hear some of students' stories in this video:
Attendees also had the opportunity to engage with a series of narrative posters that showcased the depth of research, outreach, and activity within the School of Applied Psychology.
The conference was both a celebration of past achievements and a forward-looking platform for dialogue on how applied psychology can continue to respond to pressing societal challenges.