Gillian Hill reports on the University of Buckingham‘s Psychology Pop-up Lab which made its debut at MK Innovates Science Festival, held in Milton Keynes Shopping Centre on 7th/8th July. 

With a theme of Puzzles, Pain & Positivity, our research hubs (CREATE, Psychology of Educational Development, Centre for Health and Relationships and Emotion and Lifespan Relationships) were out and about with lots of interactive activities to engage the public with our work.

Cryptic sleuths!

Over the two days there were 372 visitors to our stand, and visitors gave the Pop-up Lab:

•    8 out of 10 for enjoyment
•    9 out of ten for learning
•    8.5 out of 10 for initiating an interest in Psychology

Visitors enjoyed puzzles such as Connect 4, and an introduction to Cryptic Crossword solving…

A painful encounter with the law!

… plus ‘shocking’ demonstrations of pain (literally delivering electric shocks to willing volunteers). It was all perfectly legal, as the Thames Valley Police were happy to confirm!

Many happy visitors departed with their own creations – Brain Hats!

If the brain fits…wear it!

The day allowed us to share our science with the general public. It also gave valuable outreach experience to our amazing volunteers ranging from a work experience A-level student, to our wonderful Undergraduate and Postgraduate students.

Our visitors’ feedback

The lab is scheduled to pop up next at the University Duck Race, taking place on the River Ouse in Buckingham on Wednesday 9 August from 12.00pm – 2.00pm. This is a Town & Gown event – so do come along and join in!

The Pop-up Lab is supported by two funding grants: a British Psychological Society, Division of Health Psychology Engagement Grant (awarded to Dr. Katherine Finlay) and a University of Buckingham Dennison Research Grant (awarded to Dr. Gillian Hill).

If you would like to help at an event, or have an idea for a good location to share our science do contact gillian.hill@buckingham.ac.uk You can also find out more by following us on Twitter (@UB_Psyc or the hubs @createpsy and @chr_buckingham).