Networking and conference case study: ‘Psychology and the Other’ conference

Event overview

The ‘Psychology and the Other’ two-day conference, jointly organised by Northeastern University London (NU London), Northeastern University Boston (NU Boston), and Boston College, brought together over 200 attendees, including leading academics, professionals, and students from various fields, to explore the intersections of psychology, spirituality, and the body-mind connection.

Topics ranged from the role of spirituality in mental health to the physiological underpinnings of psychological processes and experience, offering attendees a holistic view of the human experience. The conference featured keynote speakers from diverse disciplines and countries, including the United States.

In addition to presenting their research, students from NU London played a vital role in the execution of the event. They volunteered to manage various logistical aspects of the conference, including space setup, administrative tasks, attendee registration, room organisation, and supporting the catering services. Their involvement ensured the smooth running of the event.

Student contributions to the conference

In addition to presenting their research, students from NU London played a vital role in the execution of the event. They volunteered to manage various logistical aspects of the conference, including space setup, administrative tasks, attendee registration, room organisation, and supporting the catering services. Their involvement ensured the smooth running of the event.

How did students learn?

Students honed their transferable skills, especially those that are in high demand by employers, such as teamwork, creative thinking, problem-solving, and communication. There were regular opportunities for reflection to help students analyse the experience and consider its value for their own personal and professional development.

Key benefits for students:

• active student participation from NU London and NU Boston was a key component of the conference; in a two-hour session, students presented their literature review analyses through posters (one student was accepted to contribute with an oral presentation in the body-mind forum)
• the session was designed to foster academic growth by encouraging students to interact with attendees and academics, answer questions, and discuss their findings
• this experience was invaluable in improving students’ communication skills and deepening their understanding of psychology’s interdisciplinary nature, creating enthusiasm for the field
• students enhanced their critical thinking by considering different perspectives on their research
• the poster session also served as a networking platform, enabling students to connect with professionals from the US and other countries, potentially leading to future collaborations and career opportunities
• students gained firsthand experience in event management and teamwork

Student perspective

“The ‘Psychology and the Other’ conference at NU London was profound and inspiring. The presentations were of the highest quality and I felt especially privileged to contribute myself, particularly as an undergraduate student. The weekend was flawlessly organised, ran smoothly and was thoroughly enjoyable”

Charlie Levett, Philosophy student

Faculty perspective

“I am incredibly proud of our students’ engagement and contributions to the ‘Psychology and the Other’ conference. Their enthusiasm and active participation enriched the event, particularly during the poster session, where they applied academic knowledge in a real-world context, boosting their confidence and professional skills. The networking opportunities further broadened their perspectives in the field.”

Dr Bianca Serwinski, Head of Psychology at NU Londons