Psychology in Action: DGPs Summer School Brings Young Researchers to Siegen
How can psychological research help address the major societal challenges of our time? What responsibilities do psychologists bear in politics, education, health, and society? This year’s Summer School of the German Psychological Society (DGPs), held at the University of Siegen, addressed these questions. Under the theme “Psychology in Action: Translation, Responsibility, and Impact in Times of Radical Change,” more than 70 students, doctoral candidates, and postdocs from across Germany, as well as from Austria and Switzerland, gathered in Siegen. Among other things, they are launching a publication project together.
The researchers were welcomed at the opening ceremony by Siegen’s mayor, Tristan Vitt. “Mental health is an important issue and crucial to how our society will develop in the future. I am therefore very pleased that you are conducting psychological research here in Siegen,” said Vitt.
In her opening address, DGPs President Prof. Dr. Eva-Lotta Brakemeier emphasized that taking on responsibility in the face of societal crises is a fundamental mission of psychology: “In light of the multiple crises of our time, psychology has much to contribute. However, we should not merely comment from the sidelines, but rather use our scientific expertise to help shape the future of our society where it is being decided. The question is: How do we get onto the field—and how can we join the game?”
For three days, participants discussed with renowned scholars from various fields of psychology how research findings can be translated into practice. Lectures, workshops, and discussion sessions offered a variety of opportunities to learn about current research, contribute one’s own ideas, and network with colleagues. A highlight was the panel discussion titled “Taking Responsibility—Can, Should, or Must Psychology Become More Political?” Scholars discussed with representatives from politics and professional practice the role of psychology in societal transformation processes and how scientific expertise can be more effectively integrated into political decision-making processes.
The Summer School went beyond academic exchange. Building on the event, an English-language “Topical Issue” of the Zeitschrift für Psychologie was launched on the topic “Psychology in Action: Translation and Responsibility in Times of Crisis.” Researchers from Germany and abroad are invited to submit contributions (for more information, visit: https://doi.org/10.1027/2151-2604/a000627). In addition, the Summer School participants are collaborating on a scholarly article for this special issue—a project that has already been prepared during several joint working sessions in Siegen.
The conference in Siegen also provided the setting for a meeting between the leaders of the DGPs’ specialized groups and the Executive Board of the German Psychological Society. During this meeting, current developments in science policy and perspectives for the further development of the professional association were discussed.
The Summer School was organized by Dr. Matthias Sperl of the University of Siegen together with Prof. Dr. Eva-Lotta Brakemeier and Luisa Baumgärtner, chair of the “Students in the DGPs” working group. Sperl concluded on an optimistic note: “The Summer School has impressively demonstrated how much can be achieved when different perspectives come together and young researchers jointly take responsibility for the future of psychology and our society.”
