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Transition year students investigate real-world issues at PsychSlam

29 Apr 2026

• Misinformation, false conspiracy theories and the impact of technology on young people's health were among the topics explored through the lens of applied psychology.
• PsychSlam aims to showcase the breadth of applied psychology to students while equipping them with valuable insight into everyday behaviour, relationships, and real-world challenges.

More than 80 Transition Year students from across Munster took part in PsychSlam 2026, the annual psychology and science communication competition hosted by UCC School of Applied Psychology.

Now in its eleventh year, PsychSlam gives students the opportunity to explore psychology both as an academic subject and a practical tool for understanding people, behaviour, and the challenges facing society. This year鈥檚 event focused on how psychology can help us understand people鈥檚 social relationships, their interactions with technology and information, and how these may impact mental health and wellbeing.

This year鈥檚 PsychSlam was sponsored by , the Research Ireland Centre for Software.

鈥淭oday鈥檚 competition reflects weeks of curiosity, teamwork, and creativity. Our Transition Year students have gone beyond learning psychological concepts in the classroom. They have challenged ideas, communicated evidence clearly, and connected psychology to issues that matter in everyday life. For some students, it may spark an interest in studying psychology at university, while for others it offers a new way of understanding everyday life, relationships, and the challenges people face,鈥� Dr Marica Cassarino, UCC School of Applied Psychology, said.

Throughout the day, student teams presented their projects on stage, exploring topics ranging from the benefits of mindfulness to the psychology of altruism and teenagers鈥� engagement with mental health misinformation online.

Winners and highlights included:

• First place: Loretto Secondary School, Kilkenny, presenting on 鈥楬ow do we fight misinformation?鈥�

• Second place: Scoil Mhuire gan Sm谩l (SMGS) Blarney, with 鈥楬ow can we stop the spread of false conspiracy theories?鈥�

• Third place: Sacred Heart Sec School, Clonakilty, with 鈥榃hat does binge-watching do to your health?鈥�

Public Choice Awards:

• St Aloysius College, Carrigtwohill 鈥楬ow do interface "dark patterns" trick people to do things?鈥嬧��
• Ballincollig Community School, 鈥楽hould parents use punishments and rewards to encourage good enough behaviour in their children?鈥�
• Col谩iste na Toirbhirte, Bandon, 鈥楢 good scare: why do we enjoy scary stories鈥�

Mentorship for student success

Since launching in 2015, PsychSlam has engaged more than 1,300 Transition Year students, helping them develop skills in teamwork, research, critical thinking, and science communication. The competition also gives participants the chance to work alongside UCC psychologists, researchers, and undergraduate mentors from UCC鈥檚 BA in Applied Psychology (CK120). and UCC鈥檚 BA in Psychology and Computing (CK121)

UCC students play an important role in supporting the TY teams, guiding them through the research process and helping bring their ideas to life. It is a collaborative experience that benefits both groups by giving younger students early exposure to university-level learning, while helping undergraduates build mentoring, leadership, and communication skills.

This year鈥檚 PsychSlam organising team included the School of Applied Psychology鈥檚 staff members Dr Marica Cassarino, Tadgh Connery, Dr Kim Keating, Dr Daniel O'Callaghan, Catherine Sullivan, Dr John Twomey.

For more information visit the about PsychSlam page.