UMAIA Psychology PhD Forum 2027: Methods, Research & Impact

The Forum is open to:

• PhD students in Psychology (including international and Erasmus students);
• Early-career researchers (up to two years after completing their PhD);
• Master's students;
• Supervisors and faculty members;
• Members of research centres and academic institutions.

Participants may attend as presenting authors or as attendees. Abstract submission is open to PhD students and early-career researchers. Workshops may also be open to Master's students, subject to availability and registration limits.

Participation is free of charge, but registration is mandatory. Registration opens March 2027.

The UMAIA Psychology PhD Forum 2027 invites PhD students and early-career researchers (up to two years after completing their PhD) to submit abstracts for oral or poster presentations.

Submissions are welcome at any stage of research development. The Forum aims to provide a supportive and constructive environment for discussing doctoral research and developing scientific communication skills.

Submissions may include:

• Research proposals;
• Work in progress;
• Preliminary findings;
• Theoretical or empirical studies;
• Systematic, scoping, or narrative reviews;
• Methodological studies;
• Qualitative, quantitative, or mixed-methods research;
• Submitted or published research.

Authors may submit work in, but not limited to, the following areas:

• Clinical and Health Psychology
• Forensic and Legal Psychology
• Educational and Developmental Psychology
• Social and Community Psychology
• Work, Organisational and Personnel Psychology
• Neuropsychology and Cognitive Psychology
• Psychological Assessment and Psychometrics
• Psychotherapy and Psychological Interventions
• Digital Mental Health and Technology-Based Interventions
• Trauma, Violence and Victimisation
• Justice, Risk and Rehabilitation
• Research Methods in Psychology
• Qualitative, Quantitative and Mixed Methods
• Open Science, Ethics and Research Integrity
• Other topics in Psychology

• Maximum length: 250 words
• Language: English
• Keywords: 3 to 6
• Preferred format (oral or poster) must be indicated at submission. The Scientific and Organising Committees may adjust the final format according to programme capacity.
• Abstracts must be submitted through the official submission form.

Oral presentations

Each presentation will have a 15-minute slot, including discussion. Exact timings will be confirmed in the final programme. Sessions will be organised by thematic area whenever possible. Depending on the number of accepted abstracts, parallel sessions may run in different rooms, each with a dedicated moderator.

Poster presentations

Posters must be in A0 portrait format. Presenters are responsible for printing and bringing their own posters. Posters will be presented during an Extended Coffee Break & Poster Session, where presenters will give a brief 2–3-minute pitch of their research, followed by discussion with evaluators and participants. If a large number of posters is accepted, they may be divided into groups across two poster sessions.

All presentations, subsequent discussions, and supporting materials (including slides and posters) must be in English.

Prizes will be awarded for the Best Oral Presentation and the Best Poster. Presentations will be evaluated by members of the Scientific Committee.

Certificates will be issued to all registered participants: certificates of attendance, and certificates of oral or poster presentation for presenting authors.

The programme will include keynote lectures and hands-on workshops designed to strengthen methodological, scientific writing, and research planning skills. Speakers and workshop topics will be announced soon. Places in workshops are limited, and workshop registration will open together with event registration.

Registration opens March 2027.

• Abstract submission: 1 December 2026 – 15 January 2027
• Notification of acceptance: from 15 February 2027
• Registration (presenters and attendees): March 2027
• Preliminary programme: 1 April 2027
• Final programme: 20 April 2027

Abstract submission opens 1 December 2026. Abstract submission does not replace registration.

Registration is mandatory for all participants, including presenting authors. Registration opens March 2027.

For any enquiries, please contact PsychologyPhDForum2027@umaia.pt. 

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For travel, accommodation, and other practical information, please see the participant guide.

Photographs and videos may be taken during the event for institutional communication purposes.