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Re: Pre-Qual Community Psych: thinking more, speaking more, doing more My apologies if the event (PQG conference) has come of some surprise to members of this mailing list or those we haven’t managed to reach first hand, who have had to hear of the event from others or through the discussions around its intentions or content within the discussions here. In setting up the conference, as with many of our events, we try to link in with the relevant specialist groups or faculties within the DCP. On this occasion, and in answer to Mark Burton’s query, I can confirm that I had contacted the Community Section to have some input in shaping the conference and putting forward any speakers or workshops. We started conversations back in September through a Community Section committee member, who took the proposed conference forward to the committee back in October I think. Alongside this, we used some of our links from hosting a conference on critical psychology from the year before and established relationships with other groups (e.g. Psychologists Against Austerity, East Midlands Group). I note Thomas Allan’s concerns about ‘watering down’ and in highlighting that the question of ‘certain types of psychology’s involvement in politics, media and community’ may not be suffice. I can understand this, but at the same time, I feel that it is important that we (the Pre-qual group) come from a place of relative uncertainty around some of these issues. That we make it okay for us and our members to ask, perhaps naively, whether clinical psychology has a place in these arenas. We represent a large and diverse group of members, from undergraduate level through to trainee status, and so if we can produce a context in which it is okay to ask these questions, to open up dialogue and new ways of thinking and acting, within the remit of our current practice, then this cannot be a negative thing. For pre-qual to then witness those individuals or groups who go beyond that remit, can open up debate and challenge the dominant discourses and practices found within and outside of our profession. In general, the day is set as an opportunity to consider community psychology and its principles – rather than offer a mould of how to be, or route of how to become, a community psychologist. Indeed, we even end the day with a panel discussion around what competencies would be needed or could be developed within clinical training, and so welcomes the idea of attendees (and trainees) considering their own personal and professional development in the context of many of the issues highlighted by community psychology approaches. On this note, I would welcome any questions you would like asked of the panel to be forwarded on to me – naturally, we’ll need these within the remit of developing competencies whilst on training, but it would be great to have questions from outside of the DCP membership too. James Randall-James, Co-chair of Pre-Qualification Group (DCP) ___________________________________ The list is jointly managed by David Fryer [log in to unmask] and Grant Jeffrey [log in to unmask], either of whom are able to deal with queries. To unsubscribe or to change your details on this COMMUNITYPSYCHUK list, visit the website: http://www.jiscmail.ac.uk/cgi-bin/webadmin?A0=COMMUNITYPSYCHUK