"The pandemic has reminded us of our interdependence. There is nothing like losing something one took for granted to make one recognize one’s dependence on it. Loneliness kills and the absence of support exaggerates the impact of trauma. This presentation will focus on understanding the potential devastating impact of adversity on young minds from a primarily a developmental social science perspective with a bit of neuroscience thrown in for good measure. In what ways can an understanding of epistemic trust, mentalisation and attachment offer insight into the current situation and how might we apply this to our work when offering short term interventions to high numbers of clients seeking help?"

"There is much debate about the increase in diagnostic categories of mental health conditions. Is this helpful? Are we over medicalising everyday experiences? How are these contentious issues surrounding mental health being addressed in the Higher Education sector? Does the Higher Education sector offer a recovery model or are we in danger of offering a model that encourages and fosters dependency? The student movement are requesting trigger warnings on what is considered activating material and the facility of safe spaces for vulnerable students if this happens. Is this helpful and what might the benefits be to educational institutions offering students this provision?"

This year’s event saw Oliver delivering a 30 minute talk focusing on his critical analysis to the Human Genome Project - a global collaborative research program aimed at improving scientific understanding of genes and their relationship to explain human behaviour.

This was followed by a 30-45 minute panel debate involving fellow academics and experts.

The debate featured:

• Prof. Kathryn Ecclestone - Professor of Education at UoS, research and special interest in critique of the growing trends towards a 'therapuetic education'.

• Prof. Tim Kendall - Medical Director, Sheffield Health and Social Care NHS Foundation Trust and visiting Professor at University College London.

• Prof. Pete Sudbery - Roper Chair of Genetics, publications and research on molecular biology at UoS.

"The last decade has seen a meteoric rise in online social networking, more recently accompanied by smart mobile devices that aid and abet its ubiquity. While most adults or “digital immigrants” have either exuberantly or reluctantly caught on, the younger generation of “digital natives” have grown up saturated in a soup of online relating. How might online social networking be affecting the relational dynamics of natives and immigrants alike? Psychotherapist and cultural theorist Aaron Balick, drawing on his experience as a clinician and media specialist, will apply a depth psychology approach to understanding the the personal and cultural consequences of our new digital environment."

Powerpoint slides