Ouch! Why Feedback Hurts – And How To Get The Most From It

We all receive feedback, in job interviews and applications, at work, in education and training - but even when feedback is intended to help us, it can be difficult to hear. Why can a few words stay with us for days? Why does criticism sometimes feel so personal? And, importantly, how can we become better at processing feedback and using it to move forward?

Join Professor Naomi Winstone, an internationally recognised expert in the psychology of feedback, and Executive Coach Inga Crouch for a unique, interactive event exploring what research tells us about how we receive, interpret and respond to feedback – and how we can use it to build confidence, learn and grow.

Combining cutting-edge research with practical coaching expertise, Naomi and Inga will explore why feedback can sometimes feel threatening or discouraging and introduce simple, evidence-informed strategies to help you move from an emotional reaction towards constructive action. 

You'll have the opportunity to take part in activities, discussions and real-life feedback scenarios, as well as explore the How Feedback Feels exhibition, featuring people's experiences of receiving feedback. You'll also learn about the free 'Feedback Empower Tools' website. If you'd like to submit an anonymous feedback story to be discussed on the day, please do so here.

This event is for you if you are:

• applying for jobs, education, apprenticeships or training and want to make better use of feedback
• studying, training or starting out in your career
• receiving feedback, reviews or appraisals as part of your work
• supporting, managing, teaching or coaching others
• simply interested in understanding why feedback affects us the way it does

No previous knowledge is needed. Suitable for 15+ years. Refreshments available, parking nearby.

Read more about the research underpinning this event, here: 

Democratising Feedback Literacy: Adapting the DEFT Toolkit for Distance Education | University of Surrey

Feedback to the future: Building skills for work and lifelong learning | University of Surrey

This event is part of the ESRC Festival of Social Science - Please review the University of Surrey's Privacy Notice regarding events here.

View all our University of Surrey FREE public engagement events on our box office here: Buy tickets – University of Surrey