Pub Psychology: What did Netflix's 'Adolescence' get wrong? Incels, misogyny & mental health

About us 

Want to learn about psychology, neuroscience and healthcare while meeting like-minded people in London? You're in the right place. Exclusive educational talks and mingling events for young professionals. Conn8cting 'TED style' talks are ideal for anyone with a professional or personal interest in the topics and want to meet likeminded people.

Our talks cover every topic you can think of. From the psychology of laughter, happiness, decision-making and dreams to regret, psychosis, narcissism, drugs and psychopaths. You'll learn interesting stuff delivered by experts, in-person.

Learn something new, meet someone new.🧠

The Agenda

18:30 - 19:00 - Arrivals & icebreakers

Arrive, mingle and grab drinks. You'll also get the chance to take part in psychology themed icebreakers designed to help you meet others (optional!)

19:00-19:30 - Dr Damon Parsons - 'TED style' talk

Learn something new.

19:30 - 19:55 - Q and A

Question time - the chance to ask your questions about this topic and anything else you'd like to know with our expert speaker. 

20:00 - 21:00 - Mingling/Networking

Informally meet our speaker and other likeminded people, continuing conversations, drinks, sharing knowledge and reflecting. Whether you've got a personal or professional interest, anyone who wants to connect with young professionals is welcome to join! This is a great way to expand your social and professional network. This part of the event's ideal for anyone who works (or aspires to work) in psychology, neuroscience, education, healthcare or related fields. 

21:00 - 22:00 - Pub psychology quiz and more mingling

Test your knowledge with an interactive pub quiz. In groups, you’ll be answering a few psychology themed questions using  mobile phones. This is a great way to informally meet new people in your team while competing with others! 


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The Talk 

In this talk you'll learn:

• Who are incels really?
  What are the common misconceptions when you talk about incels? Has the hit Netflix show 'Adolescence' accurately portrayed this issue or does it miss the point? Why are teachers so concerned about the negative influence of online personalities like Andrew Tate on young boys? An overview of the history and evolution of the incel community, key beliefs shaping their worldview, relevant stats and demographics.

• Why incels matter 
  A look at the disproportionately high rates of depression, anxiety, suicidality, and autism-spectrum traits found within incel spaces — and why this matters for you. 

• What can you do to help?
  Insight into therapeutic and relational approaches that may be effective in engaging with individuals in or at risk of incel identification — along with cautionary notes on what not to do.

Plus much, much more!                                                                                                                              

The Speaker

Dr Damon Parsons

Dr Damon Parsons is a forensic psychiatrist at Broadmoor Hospital - the oldest high-security psychiatric hospital in England. Dr Parsons serves as a ward doctor and honorary research fellow. He has a longstanding academic and clinical interest in the intersection between mental health and the digital world.

Dr Parsons is the founder of CEAR (Cyberpsychiatry Education Awareness Research), an initiative dedicated to understanding how online environments shape mental illness, identity, and behaviour. His work is informed by both clinical expertise and lived experience. 

He has been a vocal advocate for the development of cyber-psychiatry as a distinct sub-field. His research has addressed topics including online radicalisation, incel ideology and the impact of influencers such as Andrew Tate.

Dr Parsons has delivered talks and training sessions for a wide range of national and international bodies, including the American Psychiatric Association, the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), and the UK’s National Crime Agency (NCA). 

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The Venue

We'll be in the 'green room' (upstairs) at the Star of Kings pub - just a 5 minute walk from Kings Cross train/tube station. Further details about the pub can be found here.    

This pub has a lovely array of craft beers, cocktails and soft drinks. The pub recently updated its menu to include a range of burgers from award-winning 'Filthy Buns'. You'll also be a short stroll from a number of restaurants around Kings Cross.  

One of the few traditional pubs in Kings Cross, the Star of Kings boasts a large beer garden and classic arcade games downstairs. 

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FAQs – Pub psychology events

Who attends these events? 

This event is open to anyone regardless of religion, race, ethnicity, sexual orientation or gender. We welcome a range of age ranges - most attendees are in their 20s and 30s. The idea is to learn about psychology, neuroscience and healthcare from experts, while meeting likeminded people. Come along if you have an interest in the subject matter and want to meet others - all young professionals are welcome. Many attendees have a professional interest working (or aspire to work) in psychology, neuroscience, education, healthcare or related fields. Others simply have a personal interest in the topics. This is an ideal way to expand your social and professional network.

Will you sell tickets on the door? 

No! All our tickets are sold before the event so please don't arrive on the day without a ticket as you'll be turned away. Pub psychology events are popular and tend to sell-out. Please get a ticket in advance! 

I’m not sure if I’ll arrive in time after work. Should I still come? 

Yes! If you have a ticket, please come whenever you can (ideally before the talk begins). For pub psychology events, talks begin 30 minutes after the scheduled start time. This gives you time to settle in, network with others and grab a drink or food. Please double check the event agenda on Ticket Tailor (the platform we use to sell tickets) as times vary depending on the event.

Will I be able to socialise?

Yes! You're welcome to come along if you've got a personal or professional interest and/or want to meet new people. Based on feedback, we’ve added loads of new opportunities for mingling. Many people attend alone and please do reach out if you want to be introduced to anyone or need support. For pub psychology events, we recommend arriving early for ice breakers. We’ll have a pub psychology quiz arranged in groups after the expert talk and there’s always a friendly group of us who’ll stay for drinks afterwards.

Are you on social media? 

Yes - we are! Join our Whatsapp group to hear about the latest events: WhatsApp Group Invite 

You can also follow us on Instagram: @Conn8cting