Marianne Erskine-Shaw & Charlotte R. Pennington explored the practical implications of intergroup contact theory, suggesting that direct contact between members of different groups may not always be feasible. She then presented her research, demonstrating the practical and applied efficacy of imagined positive group interactions for prejudice reduction (c.f. Crisp et al., 2008). In all, the Developmental and <strong>Social</strong> Section conference was a vibrant and intellectually stimulating event. The atmosphere at the conference was extremely supportive and some great ideas were shared. It is great to see Sections coming together to provide more versatile and collaborative conferences. Moreover, it was easy to observe that there were many postgraduates presenting at the conference. Indeed, presenting with a variety of people at various stages of their career is beneficial for PG’s and including PG presentations in the core programme, as opposed to assigning a specific day or location for these presentations, is a positive move forward to ensure that the research is disseminated to a wider audience. From the conference, we have both brought back many ideas and thoughts for consideration, which will greatly shape our PhD research. In 2016, the sections will hold individual conferences (SPS in Cardiff and DPS in Belfast). However, we do also hope that in future, sections will come together more often to provide joint conferences as successful as this one! Acknowledgements Marianne would like to thank the <strong>Social</strong> <strong>Psychology</strong> Section for funding her conference attendance and providing an exhibitor stand for PsyPAG. Charlotte thanks the PsyPAG North West Branch who provided a bursary towards her attendance. We would both like to thank Dominic Abrams, Melissa Carpenter and Tania Zittoun for taking park the ‘PsyPAG: Meet the Experts’ event. Correspondence Marianne Erskine-Shaw Edge Hill University. Email: erskinem@edgehill.ac.uk Twitter: @Marianne_eshaw Charlotte R. Pennington Edge Hill University. Email: penninc@edgehill.ac.uk Twitter: @cpennington92 References Abrams, D., Pelletier, J., Van de Vyer, J., Cameron, L. & Lee, E. (2015). Children’s prosocial behavioural intentions toward outgroup members: The effects of intergroup competition, empathy and social perspective taking. British Journal of Developmental <strong>Psychology</strong>, 33(3), 277–294. Crisp, R.J., Stathi, S., Turner, R.N. & Husnu, S. (2009). Imagined intergroup contact: Theory, paradigm and practice. <strong>Social</strong> and Personality <strong>Psychology</strong> Compass, 3, 1–18. Kwok, R. (2014). The British Psychological Society Joint Cognitive <strong>Psychology</strong> Section & Development <strong>Psychology</strong> Section Annual Conference 2013. PsyPAG Quarterly, 91, 53–55. Simms, V., Cragg, L., Gilmore, C., Marlow, N. & Johnson, S. (2013). Mathematics difficulties in children born very pre-term: Current research and future directions. Archives of Disease in Childhood: Fetal and Neonatal edition, 98, 457–463. West, K., Holmes, E. & Hewstone, M. (2011). Enhancing imagined contact to reduce prejudice against people with schizophrenia. Group Processes & Intergroup Relations, 1–22. 54 PsyPAG Quarterly
<strong>Social</strong> Section Annual Conference 2016 31 August – 2 September, The Mercure Holland House, Cardiff Keynote speakers to be announced shortly. www.bps.org.uk/social2016 #spsconf <strong>Issue</strong> 97 December 2015 55
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