Recently, members of the ICM team attended the annual Association of Teachers of Psychology (ATP) International Conference hosted at the University of Winchester. Bringing together educators, subject experts, and assessment specialists from around the globe, this three-day event provided an invaluable platform to explore contemporary research, practical classroom strategies, and the evolving landscape of psychology education.
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We were also proud to be an official event sponsor, providing the official ATP conference tote bags carried by delegates throughout the weekend!
Opening Keynote | University of Winchester
Dr David Giles, one of the UK’s foremost media psychologists, delivered a captivating opening session on parasocial relationships—the one-sided emotional and cognitive connections people form with celebrities, influencers, and fictional characters.
Building on his seminal 2002 paper (cited over 2,000 times), Dr Giles explored theoretical models explaining why these virtual relationships feel profoundly real and how they influence modern identity, behaviour, and online community interactions.
Key takeaway for educators: As digital interactions dictate modern life, understanding media psychology, digital fandom, and online fame is vital for contemporary social psychology education.
The Tim Gregson-Williams Memorial Keynote | Birkbeck, University of London
Award-winning cognitive neuroscientist Dr Daniel Yon (author of A Trick of the Mind: How the Brain Invents Your Reality) presented a radical view of human perception.
Dr Yon demonstrated how the brain acts like a "skullbound scientist," using past experiences to construct theories and predict reality. This process directly impacts how we form beliefs about ourselves and others. He outlined how seeing perception through this predictive model revolutionises our understanding of mental health, neurodiversity, and decision-making in an uncertain world.
Key takeaway for educators: Blending biological psychology with experimental neuroscience provides learners with actionable tools to evaluate mental wellbeing, perception, and human behaviour.
At ICM, we bring these modern insights directly into our qualifications. Discover how our Level 2 Award in Psychology (RQF) helps your students explore biological and social psychology in a modern way! Read about the qualification here
