The Forum For Growth.
Professional development, Driven by the practitioner community.
We have a simple mission. To act as a forum where practitioners and applied professionals can explore international knowledge and local best-practice to develop the psychology, well-being, and human performance industry in the region.
Approved by the British Psychological Society for the purposes of Continuing Professional Development (CPD).
Contributing to the Growth, Skill and Knowledge of Psychology in the GCC and MENA Regions
IPCD was inspired by a grassroots movement amongst the regional psychology community in 2013. We realized that while there is ongoing growth in the number of psychologists working in various sectors within the UAE, yet there were only a few professional development opportunities specifically catering to our field.
The picture was even less clear when looking at psychology practice in our neighboring countries. Something needed to be done to bring the psychology community together, to promote best practice discussions, and to provide high-quality and focused learning opportunities from international experts.
And the rest is IPCD history!
OUR TEAM
Dr. Alia Al Serkal
Alia has over a decade of experience in applied psychology, working with a variety of organisations in aviation and telecoms.
A firm believer in psychometric testing, she specialises in identifying and developing organisational talent. She has been on the IPCD committee since its inception.
Dr. Cakil Agnew
Cakil’s research focuses on exploring safety in organizations and the impact of leadership on work performance in high-risk industries. She is an Associate Professor of Psychology at Heriot-Watt University Dubai and the Programme Director for the Independent Distance Learning MSc Business Psychology. After receiving her Ph.D., she worked as a postdoctoral research fellow in the University of Aberdeen’s Industrial Psychology Research Centre before joining Heriot-Watt University.
Dr. Kirin Hilliar
Kirin’s industry experience has traversed across forensic, clinical and organizational spheres. She is an Assistant Professor of Psychology at Heriot-Watt University Dubai, and also works part-time as a Psychologist in private practice in Dubai.
Haya Al Assaf
Haya specialises in the integration of forensic psychology, social cognition, law, and policy. Currently pursuing a PhD at University College London, she also serves as an associate in the risk, forensic, and compliance practice at Ankura Consulting. Haya's expertise spans multiple disciplines, reflecting her dedication to understanding the intricate connections between psychology, society, and the legal system.
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Akshita Dewan
Akshita is a psychological therapist accredited by the British Psychological Society. Post attaining her Masters from Queen Mary University of London, she is now working as an Organisation Behavioral Consultant, integrating psychometrics and human behaviour with technology. To further serve her passion to heal and make an impact in society, she also works as a therapist, providing counseling sessions mainly inclusive of her specializations of art therapy and CBT techniques.
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IPCD has coordinated special rates for conference delegates. Please see the list of hotel partners below. To book, please contact the hotel directly, saying that you are a guest of IPCD taking place at Heriot-Watt University on February 22 - 23, 2025.
Accommodation Options
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Core Details
What are the dates of IPCD 2025? IPCD 2025 will take place over the weekend (Saturday-Sunday) of February 22 - 23, 2025.
Is IPCD 2025 a hybrid conference, or fully in-person? IPCD 2025 is a fully in-person conference.
What is the theme of IPCD 2025? The theme for IPCD 2025 is "Change." This theme underscores the dynamic and ever-evolving nature of our world, emphasizing the critical role of psychology in navigating and understanding these shifts. Change is a constant force that shapes our societies, influences our behaviors, and impacts our mental well-being. The IPCD 2025 conference will explore the multifaceted dimensions of change, focusing on how psychological practices can adapt and thrive amidst these transformations. The discussions will cover a broad spectrum of changes, including technological advancements, societal shifts, individual transitions and global challenges. IPCD 2025 aims to foster a collaborative environment where professionals can share insights, research, and innovative practices to address the complexities of change.
What language(s) is the conference being conducted in? IPCD is a conference conducted in English. We do not provide simultaneous translations in any other languages.
Where is IPCD 2025 taking place? The Heriot-Watt University Dubai Campus, in Dubai Knowledge Park, Dubai, UAE. You can find the location pin by scrolling down to the bottom of this webpage.
Is there parking available? Yes. Attendees at IPCD can park in the Heriot-Watt University Dubai basement parking for free on the weekend of the conference. There are two entry points to the basement parking. See the buttons to your right. Otherwise, Dubai RTA street parking around the campus is paid on Saturdays, and free on Sundays.
Can I access the venue via public transport? Yes. Heriot-Watt University Dubai in Dubai Knowledge Park is well-serviced by bus services, tram (closest station is Knowledge Village tram station) and metro (closest station is Dubai Internet City metro station). You can access information about Dubai’s public transport options and routes at rta.ae (hyperlink)
Submissions
What do I do if I want to deliver a presentation, panel discussion, poster or workshop at IPCD 2025? To deliver a presentation, panel discussion, present your poster or conduct a workshop at IPCD 2025, please submit your proposal on the SUBMISSIONS page and email IPCD@hw.ac.uk
What is the deadline for submissions? Submission Deadline is Friday, 15th November 2024 at 11:59 PM GST
Are all submissions automatically included into the conference agenda? No, acceptance is competitive and assessed by our review committee based on the quality of the submission, the expertise of the speaker(s), and the relevance of your proposed topic to our conference theme. To get a sense of the types of submissions we have accepted in the past, take a look at our Book of Proceedings from past conferences on our RESOURCES page.
When will I be notified if my submission is accepted to be included in the conference agenda? All applicants will be notified as to whether their submission was accepted or not by Friday, 6th December 2024
If my submission is accepted, does the conference pay for any of my expenses? No, all speakers are responsible for their own UAE entry visas, flights and accommodation (though our hotel partners near campus offer discounted rates for IPCD speakers and delegates). The IPCD committee can provide a letter of support, or letter confirming your acceptance in the conference agenda, if this is required by your organization or for visa purposes.
What benefits do I get as a Speaker? You will get a discounted registration fee to attend the conference (this fee will be outlined to accepted Speakers), as well as a certificate of recognition acknowledging you as a Speaker at the conference. Speakers will be able to attend the full two days of the conference, and will be awarded the maximum CPD points for attendance.
What do I need to do if my submission is accepted? Accepted Speakers will be asked to finalize their registration (and thus confirm their spot in the agenda). Failure to do so will result in you being removed from the agenda, and your spot will be offered to another speaker. In the weeks leading up to the conference, the IPCD committee will be in touch with all speakers to provide more information and presentation tips.
Do I need to bring my own laptop for my presentation / panel / workshop? Heriot-Watt University Dubai will be providing laptops, but if you prefer to use your own device, you are welcome to do so.
What materials will be available at the venue? Heriot-Watt University Dubai has all the necessary A/V equipment, as well as white boards, projectors, note pads, pens and internet access.
What if I have special requirements for my presentation / panel / workshop? If you have requirements such as printing, or specific pieces of equipment (e.g., coloured pencils), please let the committee know at IPCD@hw.ac.uk and we will notify you if we can provide these, or if you will need to bring these yourself.
Delegates
When will registrations for conference delegates (attendees) open? REGISTRATIONS TO ATTEND IPCD 2025 WILL OPEN IN DECEMBER 2024.
What are the registration fees for delegates? The below registration fees are subject to change, but are provided to give an indication for budgeting purposes, etc. Tickets: Speaker Tickets: 100 AED 2-day ticket standard price [no Early Bird prices] Professional Delegates - Sat 1-day ticket: 350 AED Standard price [275 AED Early Bird price] Professional Delegates - Sun 1-day ticket: 350 AED Standard price [275 AED Early Bird price] Professional Delegates - Weekend 2-day ticket: 600 AED Standard price [475 AED Early Bird price] Student Delegates - Sat 1-day ticket: 150 AED Standard price [120 AED Early Bird price] Student Delegates - Sun 1-day ticket: 150 AED Standard price [120 AED Early Bird price] Student Delegates - Weekend 2-day ticket: 250 AED Standard price [200 AED Early Bird price] Heriot-Watt Student Delegates - Sat 1-day ticket: 5 AED [no Early Bird prices] Heriot-Watt Student Delegates - Sun 1-day ticket: 5 AED [no Early Bird prices] Heriot-Watt Student Delegates - Weekend 2-day ticket: 10 AED [no Early Bird prices]
How many Certified Professional Development (CPD) hours will I get? This will depend on what portions of the conference you attend. However, delegates will have the opportunity to earn up to 16 hours of CPD over the course of the weekend.
What organization has accredited the CPD hours? IPCD is accredited to provide CPD hours by the British Psychological Society (BPS).
Will I get a certificate of attendance that also lists my CPD hours? Yes. Please allow up to two weeks after the conference for this to be emailed to your registered email address.
Does IPCD offer scholarships or other discounts for attendees? IPCD aims to make CPD accessible to those in the region by aiming to keep our registration fees low compared to similar offerings in the region. Thus, registration fees are the same for all delegates – the exception being that IPCD offers discounted registration fees for currently-enrolled students.
Can I access Wi-Fi at the venue? Yes. The Wi-Fi login details will be provided to attendees.
Accommodation
What nearby hotels do you recommend?
UAE Cultural Sensitivies (Visit Dubai web)
Are there specific cultural sensitivities that I should be aware of when visiting Dubai? The United Arab Emirates (UAE) is an open and welcoming country; as a Muslim country, the government and its citizens and residents welcome visitors from all over the world. Dubai is a cosmopolitan emirate where residents from over 200 nationalities call home. The UAE's citizens are called Emiratis. To learn more about Emirati culture and heritage, we suggest going to the Visit Dubai webpage. Click the link to your right.