With support from the Centre for Learning and Teaching and the ‘Students as Producers’ grant, I had the incredible opportunity to attend the European Association of Social Psychology (EASP) Summer School 2024 in Košice, Slovakia.
During the summer school, I participated in the workshop “Cognitions and Environmental Impact” alongside fellow social psychology PhD students from various parts of the world. This workshop was particularly enlightening as we delved into the latest developments in the field of environmental psychology. We developed and presented our group project on “The Displacement of Responsibility in Fast Fashion: A Mental Model Approach.” The idea was to use the mental model approach to visualize how different stakeholders in fast fashion perceive their own and others’ responsibility for causing negative environmental impacts.
Alongside the main workshop, we had several roundtables focused on professional development, which were highly beneficial. It was particularly inspiring to see the organizers and professors, many of whom attended the summer school about 10 years ago, now passing their knowledge and experience to the next generation of researchers. Their mentorship was invaluable.
The EASP Summer School provided a fantastic opportunity to connect with fellow social psychology PhD students from all over the world. The diverse backgrounds and experiences of the participants enriched our discussions and broadened our perspectives. The organizers also planned various social activities, which helped foster a sense of community among the attendees. These connections have the potential to evolve into long-term collaborations, further enhancing our research endeavours. This trip also marked my first visit to an EU country, and I took the opportunity to explore the beautiful city of Košice and learn about Slovakia’s history.
I highly recommend the EASP Summer School to other social psychology PhD students. The event has a wonderful atmosphere and offers numerous opportunities for collaboration. The organizers plan various activities, and the colleagues are incredibly supportive. This experience has been invaluable to my professional development. I am incredibly grateful to the Centre for Learning and Teaching for enabling me to attend the summer school, present my work, and meet so many amazing people.
Student Post by: Bihui Jin, PhD Research Programme in Psychology, Department of Psychology
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