Under the theme “Past, Present and Future of Psychology”, the event offered two days of reflection, knowledge sharing and dialogue among different generations of the academic community.
The 2026 edition carried particular significance as it was organised, for the first time, by the FEP-UCP Students’ Union (AE FEP-UCP), which took on the coordination of one of the most relevant moments in the faculty’s academic life.
An event built by the student community
The organisation of the 21st edition of “Psychology Days” represented a transitional and milestone moment for the Students’ Union, marked by the commitment to honour the legacy of previous editions while introducing new ideas and a renewed vision for the event.According to Beatriz Valongo, President of AE FEP-UCP, “Psychology Days 2026” were experienced as a true reunion of the academic community.
“Psychology Days 2026 is one of those events that stays close to the heart, a true and emotional reunion of our community at FEP-UCP. Over two days we felt the heartbeat of Psychology that unites us: we revisited the past with gratitude, lived the present with intensity and dreamed of the future with hope,” she said.
For the student, the level of participation and the atmosphere throughout the event demonstrated the strength of the community spirit that characterises the faculty. “The deep conversations, the exchanges between students, alumni and lecturers, and the enthusiasm during the breaks showed that we are united by the same purpose: to continue building this profession with dedication and a strong sense of responsibility,” she added.
Reflection on aggression, mental health and student participation
The first day opened with the inaugural session, featuring contributions from Beatriz Valongo, representing AE FEP-UCP, and Raquel Matos, Director of FEP-UCP.This was followed by two sessions dedicated to central themes in contemporary Psychology. Catarina Ribeiro, lecturer at the faculty, delivered the talk “Psychology of the Aggressor and the Victim”, encouraging reflection on the psychological processes underlying dynamics of aggression and experiences of victimisation. Later in the morning, lecturer Adélia Monarca, joined by guest speaker Joel Teixeira from “Team 24”, led the session “Mental Health at Work”, focusing on current challenges to psychological well-being in workplace settings.
In the afternoon, one of the most well-attended moments of the programme took place: the FEP-UCP Talks, an initiative that gave students the opportunity to present topics of personal and academic interest. The presentations reflected the diversity of perspectives within the student community and created a space for sharing, communication of knowledge and debate.
Dialogue between generations and professional pathways
The second day maintained the spirit of sharing and academic exchange, with strong participation from FEP-UCP alumni.The session “Perspectives in Psychology: a conversation on different areas” brought together alumni Sofia Machado, Francisca Miranda, Diogo Resende, Mariana Pinote Moreira and Beatriz Martins, who shared their professional experiences across different areas of Psychology, illustrating the wide variety of pathways available after completing academic training.
This was followed by a presentation from alumna Raquel Lira, focused on transitions into professional practice and on the ethical and technical challenges associated with the profession.
The afternoon also included the session “Learning with purpose inside and beyond the classroom: authenticity, development and community”, led by lecturer Luísa Mota Ribeiro, and concluded with the round table “Who is right? Three generations in debate”, which brought together lecturer Vânia Sousa Lima, alumna Carmina Rei and student Pedro Ribeiro in an intergenerational dialogue on experiences, challenges and perspectives within Psychology.
The event closed with a convivial dinner among lecturers, students and alumni, reinforcing the bonds between different generations of the academic community.
The Students’ Union’s assessment
For Sara Moreira, responsible for the Communication Department of AE FEP-UCP, the 2026 edition was especially meaningful as it was the first to be organised entirely by the Students’ Union.“Taking on this responsibility was both a challenge and a privilege, particularly because this is an event that is already part of the identity of our academic community. Having followed the entire preparation process closely, and being directly involved in the event’s communication, it was especially rewarding to see how the community responded to the initiative,” she said.
According to Beatriz Valongo, responsibility was felt from the very beginning of the preparation process. “There was a fear that we might not live up to the legacy of previous editions, but also a strong desire to prove that students can lead with dedication and a genuine sense of community,” she explained.
For the President of AE FEP-UCP, seeing the auditorium full and the active participation throughout the two days confirmed the impact of the initiative. “When everything ended and we saw conversations flowing, reunions between alumni and students and the enthusiasm of everyone present, we realised it was all worthwhile. It was a demanding challenge, but also deeply rewarding,” she concluded.
A space for meeting and building the future
Psychology Days 2026 reaffirmed their role as a central moment of gathering and reflection for the FEP-UCP community.The strong participation and involvement of different generations reinforced the importance of this initiative as a space for dialogue, learning and the collective shaping of the future of Psychology within the faculty.
