Student Writer Competition

Are you passionate about psychology? Fancy shouting about it to 46,000 readers, and winning a great prize?

The Psychologist, the Professional Practice Board and the Research Board are again sponsoring the Annual Student Writer Competition. There are two categories - undergraduate and postgraduate - with one winner from each. Winners will have their articles published in The Psychologist, and will also get an expenses-paid trip to the Society's London Lectures or Annual Conference (UK travel, hotel and registration).

What could I write about?

Some suggestions:

• an overview of published research in an area of general interest
• a psychological angle on a major news story or social issue
• your own research (but only as one part of a broader article)
• your placement experiences (check with the workplace first)
• a reassessment of a famous study or a psychologist's contribution
• what you love about psychology

What are we looking for?

You need to be able to hook the reader in and keep them interested right to the end. Think about the wide-ranging audience of The Psychologist and write for them - don't just submit something you wrote for another purpose. Think journalism rather than journal: the piece must have sound and properly cited psychological content, but quality of writing and clarity of argument are just as important. An element of debate can help; originality is the key.

Instructions

1. Send three copies of your article, maximum 1500 words, to: The Psychologist Annual Student Writer Competition, The British Psychological Society, 48 Princess Road East, Leicester LE1 7DR, to arrive no later than 30 January 2009.

2. Do not put your name on the article itself - the judges will work blind to the author's identity.

3. On a separate sheet please list all of the following: name, address, telephone and fax numbers, e-mail, departmental address, name of head of department/supervisor, word count, and which category you are entering (either undergraduate or postgraduate).

Judging will take place in February and winners will be notified in early March. See the July issue of The Psychologist for the judges' report on this year's competition and the winning entries. A Guide to Writing for The Psychologist, is available free from the Society's office, or on this website.

Good luck - get writing!