Are you doing social or behavioural science research on the experiences of people who choose extreme and challenging environments? Do you have experience of (or are you planning) activities in high-risk settings? Are you responsible for the well-being of people sent to difficult and challenging places?
If so, we invite you to join us on 15th February at a conference organised by University of Manchester (UoM) and Manchester Metropolitan University (MMU) on social and behavioural science in extreme and adventurous settings.
During the one-day event, we will discuss research on factors that can influence safety, performance, and health and wellbeing in challenging and demanding contexts. The content will be relevant in a range of extreme activities, including climbing, mountaineering, caving, long-distance sailing, fieldwork, space exploration, and adventure sports.
The conference will include presentations and discussions across a range of disciplines, from psychology, physiology and sports science to history, anthropology and geography. Keynote presentations include:
History of heroism and bravery in exploration
Psychological resilience and selection of astronauts
Coping with stress in high-risk settings
Methods for understanding the psychological demands of extreme deployments
Conflict resolution in isolated and remote environments
Self care in humanitarian response teams
Trauma, adversity and growth
We will also hear from a number of excellent early-career researchers who are conducting important new studies in this area.
The conference is designed to be relevant for both academic and practitioner audiences. Presentations and workshops will be underpinned by a sound evidence-base but delivered with the end-user in mind.
A full conference programme will be released prior to the event
Get involved
If you would like to share your own research fitting broadly into the topic area, there will be a dedicated session for flash poster presentations. In order to share your research as a flash presentation, please register for the conference and then send a short abstract (150 words) to Nathan.smith@manchester.ac.uk before the close of play on Friday February the 1st. We will be in touch shortly thereafter to confirm. Your abstract should include an introduction to the work, an overview of findings and the relevance of the research to the people you think will use it.
Registration
Please follow the link to register via Eventbrite.
Catering and refreshements
We are asking for a small fee of £15 to cover the cost of refreshements and lunch on the day. A payment link will be sent out in advance of the conference and it will also be possible to pay at the point of registration on the day.
Funding
The conference is supported by an Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC) Impact Acceleration Award. Internal support has been provided by UoM and MMU.
Speakers
Dr Max Jones
Role: Senior Lecturer (Modern British History)
Organisation: University of Manchester
Professor Gro Sandal
Role: Professor of Psychology
Organisation: University of Bergen
Professor Marc Jones
Role: Professor of Psychology
Organisation: Manchester Metropolitan University
Professor Andy McCann
Role: Visiting Professor
Organisation: Manchester Metropolitan University
Professor Emma Barrett, OBE
Role: Professor of Psychology, Security and Trust
Organisation: University of Manchester
Anders Kjaergaard
Role: Military Psychologist
Organisation: Danish Defences and former member of Sirius Patrol
Jesper Corneliussen
Role: Military Psychologist
Organisation: Danish Defences and former member of Sirius Patrol
Dr Amy Hughes, MBE
Role: Clinical Academic Lecturer in Emergency Response
Organisation: University of Manchester
Dr Laura Blackie
Role: Assistant Professor
Organisation: University of Nottingham
