For 29 years, the BACP Research Conference has been a place where researchers and practitioners come together to exchange ideas on important research findings, presented in open discussion with constructive critical debate and helpful dialogue. The conference fosters a climate where all are welcome to share learning and network with other delegates.

Over this time the conference has been attended by representatives - both presenters and delegates - from 23 countries, making it a truly international event.

30th Annual International BACP Research Conference: Enriching research, practice and policy with lived experience

The hybrid conference will be co-hosted by Birmingham Newman University in person in Birmingham and online on 17 and 18 May 2024. 

We're inviting abstract submissions for our 2024 conference demonstrating the rigorous use of any methodology and theoretical orientation, from students, practitioners and experienced researchers alike. Our International Research Conference is always a varied and inclusive conference, we welcome submissions on any theme relevant to counselling, psychotherapy or coaching. Unless noted, all submissions can either be delivered in-person or online. An abstract is required for every submission type as all submissions undergo blind peer review by an independent panel. 

Submissions addressing the theme of lived experience are particularly welcomed. We’re also keen to highlight inter, multi or trans-disciplinary research relevant to counselling, psychotherapy or coaching. 

By lived experience, we mean people who have lived experience of using, delivering or training in, counselling, psychotherapy or coaching services, in addition to those who are able to draw on the experience of living with or caring for someone else using similar services. We recognise that terminology in relation to people with lived experience is evolving regularly and that preferred terms can vary (e.g. Patient and Public Involvement (PPI), Client Involvement and Experts by Experience). 

By inter, multi or trans-disciplinary research we mean research that involves one or more disciplines or fields outside of counselling, psychotherapy or coaching which might support the counselling professions. Any research submitted under this theme would need to clearly outline the implications for counselling, psychotherapy or coaching practice.  

We accept submissions for: 

  • research papers: 30 minute sessions presenting counselling, psychotherapy or coaching research that you've undertaken 
  • discussion papers (in-person event only): 30 or 60 minute sessions in which the audience is invited to discuss a piece of research related work or issue with the presenter or a panel 
  • methods workshops (in-person event only): 60 minute sessions aimed at introducing a particular research or analysis method relevant to counselling, psychotherapy or coaching, providing opportunities for practical and experiential learning 
  • lightning talks: 15 minute slots presenting early development work of a research project 
  • posters: a visually eye-catching format to present your research, including a one minute platform to talk about your work, plus inclusion in the online poster exhibition 
  • symposia: 90 minute sessions providing three or four presentations (plus an overview) about a particular theme or subject in counselling, psychotherapy or coaching research 

For more information and details of how to submit, please see our submission guidelines.  
 
The deadline for submitting abstracts is 23.59 GMT on Wednesday 1 November 2023.

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