What we’re about
## What we’re about
Join our Whatsapp community to meet others and hear about events first. You’ll also get early access to event tickets.
What is Pub Psychology?
Want to learn about psychology, neuroscience or healthcare while meeting like-minded people in London? Pub psychology offers meetups focused on learning from specialists in their field, while building supportive connections. Whether you're a professional, a student, exploring psychology and related fields as a new career path or simply have a personal interest in the subject matter — you're welcome here.
Why Join?
We’re not just an event — we’re a growing community that believes in collaboration, learning, and opportunity. Come along for an evening of learning from experts in a 'TED style' talk and in-depth Q and A. You'll also get a chance to take part in themed icebreakers and interactive quiz to help you informally meet others.
Topics We Cover:
🧠 Psychology (of course!)
🧠 Neuroscience
💊Healthcare
What to Expect:
✅ Make genuine connections with other like-minded people.
✅ Learn about different psychology, neuroscience and healthcare topics with a new topic explored each month.
✅ Share your knowledge and get help from others
✅ Navigate new career opportunities and gain clarity on the direction you want to head in, support for your studies, collaborate and make new friends.
✅ Enjoy relaxed, informal meetups at a lovely private room in a welcoming pub.
Who’s Hosting?
I’m Adam and I’ll be hosting the events with Hannah. The speakers and topics are different each month. Our venue’s currently at the Star of Kings pub in Kings Cross (a 5 minute walk from the station), in London. You’ll see a separate page for each event so you know what to expect when attending. We offer the events across a number of online platforms. Clicking attending on the meetup page does not reserve your spot for an event - you can only grab tickets on our ticket tailor page here.
Learn something new, meet someone new.🧠
Upcoming events (4)
See all- Pain, addiction & the opioid mystery: The secrets behind what hurtsStar of Kings pub, London
*Important Info* - Tickets can only be bought on our Ticket Tailor page. See further info here: tickettailor.com/events/conn8cting/1809060/r/meetup1
What You’ll Learn:
- What causes pain?
Acute pain is good (stopping us from harming ourselves). But chronic pain like arthritic pain, can be unpleasant and disabling. What drives pain? Why do we need new drugs for pain? And what progress are we making in developing them?
2. Opioids, addiction & pain
When opioid addicts try to go “cold turkey” they suffer from a painful condition. This is a major reason why it’s hard to give up. But what do we really know about opioid-induced pain?
3. What addictions?
Many addictions such as alcohol, smoking or even gambling, can be treated with drugs that block opioid receptors. So are opioids important drivers of many or even all addictions? Where could these opioids come from? What’s the latest thinking in this area?
Plus much, much more!
The Speaker
Professor Peter McNaughton's lab group is based at the Wolfson Centre for Age-Related Diseases at King's College where the group investigates the cellular and molecular basis of sensations. The group's principal interests are in pain, thermal sensation and thermoregulation. Professor McNaughton has initiated two drug development projects, both arising from discoveries in his lab.
He is a Fellow of the Academy of Medical Sciences and previously was Head of the Department of Pharmacology at the University of Cambridge. He has published extensively in Nature, Science, Neuron, EMBO Journal, Journal of Neuroscience, and the Journal of Physiology, amongst others.
*Important Info* - Tickets can only be bought on our Ticket Tailor page. See further info here: tickettailor.com/events/conn8cting/1809060/r/meetup1
The Venue
We have exclusive use of the green room (upstairs) at the Star of Kings pub. Further details about the pub can be found here.
Just a short stroll from Kings Cross station, this pub is known for its selection of craft beers and cocktails. You'll also find a highly recommended selection of burgers to choose from and you'll be close to a number of restaurants nearby.
One of the few traditional pubs in Kings Cross, the Star of Kings boasts a large beer garden and classic arcade games downstairs.FAQs – Pub psychology events
Where can I get tickets?
*Important Info* - Tickets can only be bought on our Ticket Tailor page. See further info here: tickettailor.com/events/conn8cting/1809060/r/meetup1Who attends these events?
This event is open to anyone regardless of religion, race, ethnicity, sexual orientation or gender. All age groups are welcome to attend our events. Whether you're at the start of your career or an experienced practitioner, this is the place for you. You're also welcome to come along if you have a personal interest in the subject matter. The event's ideal for anyone with a personal or professional interest working in (or aspiring to work in) psychology, neuroscience, education, healthcare or related fields. It's a great way to expand your social and professional network.Will you sell tickets on the door?
No! All our tickets are sold before the event so please don't arrive on the day as you'll be turned away. Pub psychology events are popular and tend to sell-out. Please get a ticket in advance!I’m not sure if I’ll arrive in time after work. Should I still come?
Yes! If you have a ticket, please come whenever you can (ideally before the talk begins). For pub psychology events, talks begin 30 minutes after the scheduled start time. This gives you time to settle in, network with others and grab a drink or food. Please double check the event agenda on Ticket Tailor (the platform we use to sell tickets) as times vary depending on the event.Will I be able to socialise?
Yes! You're welcome to come along if you've simply got a personal interest in the topics. Based on feedback, we’ve also added loads of new opportunities for professional networking. This event's ideal for those with a professional interest working (or aspire to work) in psychology, neuroscience, education, healthcare or related fields. It's a great way to expand your social and professional network. Many people attend alone and please do reach out if you want to be introduced to anyone or need support. For pub psychology events, we recommend arriving early for ice breakers. We’ll have a pub psychology quiz arranged in groups after the expert talk and there’s always a friendly group of us who’ll stay for drinks afterwards.Are you on social media?
Yes - we are! Join our Whatsapp group to hear about the latest events: WhatsApp Group InviteYou can also follow us on Instagram: @Conn8cting
- What causes pain?
- Pub Psychology: Mad and Bad? What you should know about Personality DisordersStar of Kings pub, London
*Important info*. Tickets can only be bought on our Ticket Tailor page. See further info here: tickettailor.com/events/conn8cting/1808804/r/meetup1
The Agenda
18:30 - 19:30 - Arrivals & icebreakers
Arrive, mingle and grab drinks. You'll also get the chance to take part in psychology themed icebreakers designed to help you meet others (optional!)
19:30-20:10 - 'TED style' talk
Learn something new.
20:10 - 20:40 - Q and A
Question time - the chance to ask your questions about this topic and anything else you'd like to know with our expert speaker.
20:40 - 22:00 - Networking
This is a great chance to informally meet our speaker and other likeminded people, continuing conversations, drinks, sharing knowledge and reflecting. This part of the event's ideal for anyone with a professional interest who works (or aspires to work) in psychology, neuroscience, education, healthcare or related fields. It's a great way to expand your social and professional network.
21:30 - 22:00 - Pub psychology quiz and more mingling
Test your knowledge with an interactive pub quiz! In groups, you’ll be answering a few psychology themed questions using your phones**.** This is an ideal way to informally network with new people in your team while competing with others!*Important info*. Tickets can only be bought on our Ticket Tailor page. See further info here: tickettailor.com/events/conn8cting/1808804/r/meetup1
The Talk
1. What are personality disorders?
‘Personality disorder’ (PD) might be the most controversial & subjective of current psychiatric diagnoses. It’s about a pattern of behaviour & inner experience going against cultural norms which are persistent, pervasive, and pathological. But what does this mean for the person or those around them? These experiences are ‘clustered’ around certain specific diagnoses such as ‘antisocial personality disorder’.
2. Why are personality disorders controversial?
Are people with this diagnosis ‘mad, bad or deviant’? And if either of the latter two, does this have anything to do with psychiatry or medicine at all?
Why have highly stigmatising titles (‘borderline’, ‘narcissistic’, ‘schizoid’) re-entered modern discourse in an unhelpful way? Is there a convincing link between symptoms and diagnoses themselves?
3. What’s happening now?
The last 10-15 years have seen a huge groundswell of engagement by people given the ‘personality disorder’ title.
In 2019 the WHO International Classification of Diseases (ICD-11) restructured the way PD was classified into a system of severity & a new diagnosis of ‘complex post-traumatic stress disorder’. Has this caused a crisis within the definition & clinical work?
4. What can be done?
Is psychiatry being asked to solve a social problem of people who don’t easily ‘fit’ into our communities & are often marginalised or ostracised? Is the ‘solution’ medicine, talking therapy or something else?Tickets can only be bought on our Ticket Tailor page. See further info here: tickettailor.com/events/conn8cting/1808804/r/meetup1
The Speaker
Professor Mark Freestone is Chief Education and Training Officer and Dean of Postgraduate Studies at The Tavistock and Portman NHS Foundation Trust, and Honorary Professor of Mental Health at the Centre of Psychiatry and Mental Health, Queen Mary University of London.
With a background in Sociology, Professor Freestone’s work focuses on public and forensic mental health – including research into the efficacy of treatments for those with mental health problems, specifically those at risk of violence or becoming victims of violence. He has consulted on forensic mental health issues for NHS England and the London Violence Reduction Programme, as well as for films and television shows, including the hit BBC drama series, Killing Eve and the recent HBO/BBC black comedy Rain Dogs . In 2020, he published a book based on his research and experiences in psychopathy, Making a Psychopath: My Journey into 7 Dangerous minds.The Venue
We have exclusive use of the green room (upstairs) at the Star of Kings pub. Further details about the pub can be found here.
Just a short stroll from Kings Cross station, this pub is known for its selection of craft beers and cocktails. You'll also find a highly recommended selection of burgers to choose from and you'll be close to a number of restaurants nearby.
One of the few traditional pubs in Kings Cross, the Star of Kings boasts a large beer garden and classic arcade games downstairs.FAQs – Pub psychology events
Where can I get tickets?
Tickets can only be bought on our Ticket Tailor page. See further info here: tickettailor.com/events/conn8cting/1808804/r/meetup1Who attends these events?
This event is open to anyone regardless of religion, race, ethnicity, sexual orientation or gender. This event is open to anyone regardless of religion, race, ethnicity, sexual orientation or gender. All age groups are welcome to attend our events. Whether you're at the start of your career or an experienced practitioner, this is the place for you. You're also welcome to come along if you have a personal interest in the subject matter. The event's ideal for anyone with a personal or professional interest working in (or aspiring to work in) psychology, neuroscience, education, healthcare or related fields. It's a great way to expand your social and professional network.Will you sell tickets on the door?
No! All our tickets are sold before the event so please don't arrive on the day as you'll be turned away. Pub psychology events are popular and tend to sell-out. Please get a ticket in advance!I’m not sure if I’ll arrive in time after work. Should I still come?
Yes! If you have a ticket, please come whenever you can (ideally before the talk begins). For pub psychology events, talks begin 30 minutes after the scheduled start time. This gives you time to settle in, network with others and grab a drink or food. Please double check the event agenda on Ticket Tailor (the platform we use to sell tickets) as times vary depending on the event.Will I be able to socialise?
Yes! You're welcome to come along if you've simply got a personal interest in the topics. Based on feedback, we’ve also added loads of new opportunities for professional networking. This event's ideal for those with a professional interest working (or aspire to work) in psychology, neuroscience, education, healthcare or related fields. It's a great way to expand your social and professional network. Many people attend alone and please do reach out if you want to be introduced to anyone or need support. For pub psychology events, we recommend arriving early for ice breakers. We’ll have a pub psychology quiz arranged in groups after the expert talk and there’s always a friendly group of us who’ll stay for drinks afterwards.Are you on social media?
Yes - we are! Join our Whatsapp group to hear about the latest events: WhatsApp Group Invite
You can also follow us on Instagram: @Conn8cting*Important info*. Tickets can only be bought on our Ticket Tailor page. See further info here: tickettailor.com/events/conn8cting/1808804/r/meetup1
About us
Want to learn about psychology, neuroscience and healthcare while meeting like-minded people in London? You're in the right place. Exclusive educational talks and mingling events for young professionals with curious minds.
Our talks cover every topic you can think of. From the psychology of laughter, happiness, decision-making and dreams to regret, psychosis, narcissism, drugs and psychopaths. You'll learn interesting stuff delivered by experts, in-person.
Conn8cting 'TED style' talks are designed for you if you have a professional or personal interest in the topics and want to meet likeminded people.Learn something new, meet someone new.🧠
- What did Netflix's 'Adolescence' get wrong? Incels, Misogyny & Mental HealthStar of Kings pub, London
To note: As the topic of the below talk is particularly high profile, we expect tickets to sell-out once widely advertised.
*Important info*. Tickets can only be bought on our Ticket Tailor page. See further info here: tickettailor.com/events/conn8cting/1826774/r/meetup1
What you'll learn
Understanding the Landscape
- How did the incel identity begin and how has it changed over time? Get a clear understanding of its supportive origins to modern online misogyny. Understand how online spaces shape this change.
Clinical and Psychological Dimensions
- What are the core psychological issues often found among incel-identifying individuals? Why do a disproportionate number of these individuals have depression, social anxiety, trauma and neurodivergence?
Risk Management and Engagement
- What strategies work and don't work to support these individuals? How can you identify red flags for violence or self-harm? And why might digital literacy and empathy be key tools?
Critical and Ethical Reflection
- What are the real risks of not challenging incel narratives? What could you do to balance empathy with the need to challenge harmful beliefs?
Join our Whatsapp group to hear about the latest events
The Venue
We have exclusive use of the green room (upstairs) at the Star of Kings pub. Further details about the pub can be found here.
Just a short stroll from Kings Cross station, this pub is known for its selection of craft beers and cocktails. You'll also find a highly recommended selection of burgers to choose from and you'll be close to a number of restaurants nearby.
One of the few traditional pubs in Kings Cross, the Star of Kings boasts a large beer garden and classic arcade games downstairs.FAQs – Pub psychology events
Where can I get tickets?
*Important info*. Tickets can only be bought on our Ticket Tailor page. See further info here: tickettailor.com/events/conn8cting/1826774/r/meetup1
Who attends these events?
This event is open to anyone regardless of religion, race, ethnicity, sexual orientation or gender. All age groups are welcome to attend our events. Whether you're at the start of your career or an experienced practitioner, this is the place for you. Many attendees have a professional interest working (or aspiring to work) in psychology, neuroscience, healthcare, counselling, wellness and wellbeing, education or related fields. You're also welcome to come along if you have a personal interest in the subject matter. This is an ideal way to expand your social and professional network.Will you sell tickets on the door?
No! All our tickets are sold before the event so please don't arrive on the day as you'll be turned away. Pub psychology events are popular and tend to sell-out. Please get a ticket in advance!I’m not sure if I’ll arrive in time after work. Should I still come?
Yes! If you have a ticket, please come whenever you can (ideally before the talk begins). For pub psychology events, talks begin 30 minutes after the scheduled start time. This gives you time to settle in, network with others and grab a drink or food. Please double check the event agenda on Ticket Tailor (the platform we use to sell tickets) as times vary depending on the event.Will I be able to socialise?
Yes! You're welcome to come along if you've simply got a personal interest in the topics. Based on feedback, we’ve also added loads of new opportunities for professional networking. This event's ideal for those with a professional interest working (or aspire to work) in psychology, neuroscience, education, healthcare or related fields. It's a great way to expand your social and professional network. Many people attend alone and please do reach out if you want to be introduced to anyone or need support. For pub psychology events, we recommend arriving early for ice breakers. We’ll have a pub psychology quiz arranged in groups after the expert talk and there’s always a friendly group of us who’ll stay for drinks afterwards.Are you on social media?
Yes - we are! Join our Whatsapp group to hear about the latest events: WhatsApp Group Invite
You can also follow us on Instagram: @Conn8cting*Important info*. Tickets can only be bought on our Ticket Tailor page. See further info here: tickettailor.com/events/conn8cting/1826774/r/meetup1
- How you can solve a crime - the psychology behind decision makingStar of Kings pub, London
*Important info*. Tickets can only be bought on our Ticket Tailor page. See further info here: tickettailor.com/events/conn8cting/1826822/r/meetup1
The Agenda
18:30-19:30 - Arrivals & structured networking/ice-breakers
Arrive, mingle and grab drinks. You'll have more time than ever before to meet others. You'll be moving between tables in small groups discussing intriguing discussion/ice-breaker questions (optional). If you want to meet like-minded young professionals you're welcome to join. This part of the event's ideal for anyone who works (or aspires to work) in psychology, neuroscience, education, healthcare or related fields. We'll also have an interactive pub psychology quiz in groups using your mobile phone.
19:30-20:10- 'TED style' talk
Learn something new. You'll get printed handouts from the Powerpoint slides.
20:10 - 20:40 - Q and A
Question time - the chance to ask your questions about this topic and anything else you'd like to know with our expert speaker.
20:40 - 22:00 - Networking mingle
Informally meet our speaker and other likeminded people, continuing conversations, drinks, sharing knowledge and reflections. Whether you've got a personal or professional interest, anyone who wants to connect with young professionals is welcome to join! This is a great way to expand your social and professional network.*Important info*. Tickets can only be bought on our Ticket Tailor page. See further info here: tickettailor.com/events/conn8cting/1826822/r/meetup1
The Talk
How do you make decisions?
How do you make decisions based on complex evidence? How does an investigator decide what lines of enquiry to pursue and what information to gather? How does a juror decide the guilt of a defendant, faced with a large body of conflicting information? How can you assess whether you're doing a good job, or being misled by faulty reasoning?
The psychology of decision-making
We have an amazing capacity to make sense of the world but we all have the inevitable biases that arise due to our limited cognitive resources.
Why do we have an ability for generating stories from sparse data but also struggle at evaluating these stories against the evidence, sometimes letting a compelling story trump the truth?
Better decisions
Using classic legal cases to show the dangers of over-simplified reasoning and cognitive biases, you'll understand different ways for learning and improving & tools to help you make better judgements.The Speaker
David Lagnado
David Lagnado is a cognitive psychologist and professor at the University College London. His research focuses on the psychological processes that underlie human learning, reasoning and decision-making. A major theme is the central role played by causal models in cognition. David investigates how people learn causal models from uncertain data, and how they use these models to draw inferences and make decisions. David has extended this work to legal decision-making, showing that people use their causal knowledge to organise evidence and make decisions. Another key theme is the interplay between causal thinking and judgements of responsibility. David examines how people use causal models to attribute credit and blame in moral and legal contexts.
Tickets can only be bought on our Ticket Tailor page. See further info here: tickettailor.com/events/conn8cting/1826822/r/meetup1
The Venue
We have exclusive use of the green room (upstairs) at the Star of Kings pub. Further details about the pub can be found here.
Just a short stroll from Kings Cross station, this pub is known for its selection of craft beers and cocktails. You'll also find a highly recommended selection of burgers to choose from and you'll be close to a number of restaurants nearby.
One of the few traditional pubs in Kings Cross, the Star of Kings boasts a large beer garden and classic arcade games downstairs.#FAQs – Pub psychology events
Where can I get tickets?
*Important info*. Tickets can only be bought on our Ticket Tailor page. See further info here: tickettailor.com/events/conn8cting/1826822/r/meetup1Who attends these events?
This event is open to anyone regardless of religion, race, ethnicity, sexual orientation or gender. All age groups are welcome to attend our events. Whether you're at the start of your career or an experienced practitioner, this is the place for you. Many attendees have a professional interest working (or aspiring to work) in psychology, neuroscience, healthcare, counselling, wellness and wellbeing, education or related fields. You're also welcome to come along if you have a personal interest in the subject matter. This is an ideal way to expand your social and professional network.Will you sell tickets on the door?
No! All our tickets are sold before the event so please don't arrive on the day as you'll be turned away. Pub psychology events are popular and tend to sell-out. Please get a ticket in advance!I’m not sure if I’ll arrive in time after work. Should I still come?
Yes! If you have a ticket, please come whenever you can (ideally before the talk begins). For pub psychology events, talks begin 30 minutes after the scheduled start time. This gives you time to settle in, network with others and grab a drink or food. Please double check the event agenda on Ticket Tailor (the platform we use to sell tickets) as times vary depending on the event.Will I be able to socialise?
Yes! You're welcome to come along if you've simply got a personal interest in the topics. Based on feedback, we’ve also added loads of new opportunities for professional networking. This event's ideal for those with a professional interest working (or aspire to work) in psychology, neuroscience, education, healthcare or related fields. It's a great way to expand your social and professional network. Many people attend alone and please do reach out if you want to be introduced to anyone or need support. For pub psychology events, we recommend arriving early for ice breakers. We’ll have a pub psychology quiz arranged in groups after the expert talk and there’s always a friendly group of us who’ll stay for drinks afterwards.Are you on social media?
Yes - we are! Join our Whatsapp group to hear about the latest events: WhatsApp Group Invite
You can also follow us on Instagram: @Conn8cting*Important info*. Tickets can only be bought on our Ticket Tailor page. See further info here: tickettailor.com/events/conn8cting/1826822/r/meetup1
