This is a truly remarkable milestone, a decade of innovation, community, and global impact. These programmes, which consistently deliver high student satisfaction rates and positive graduate outcomes, are a resounding success. This doesn’t happen without the effort of so many and, as Dean of Education, one of the things I am most proud of is seeing the contribution that my colleagues make within our distance learning programmes.
Professor Juliet Foster, Dean of Education at IoPPN
12 May 2026
IoPPN celebrates decade of distance learning programmes
MSc Psychology and Neuroscience of Mental Health and the MSc Applied Neuroscience distance learning programmes held a celebratory event in April, bringing together students, alumni, colleagues and supporters.
The Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology & Neuroscience (IoPPN) marked the 10-year anniversary of its two distance learning programmes, the MSc Psychology and Neuroscience of Mental Health and the MSc Applied Neuroscience, on 20 April 2026 with a celebratory event at Bush House.
Students, alumni, colleagues and supporters were brought together to reflect on a decade of achievement, innovation and community. The hybrid event mirrored the international reach and impact of both programmes, with some guests attending in person, while others were able to join online and be part of the occasion from across the world.
The event featured welcome remarks from the Dean of Education of the IoPPN, Professor Juliet Foster and the Vice-Chancellor & President of King’s College London, Professor Shitij Kapur followed by a series of engaging panels and talks.
The Founders panel, moderated by Dr Anja Harrison, reunited the founding members of the programmes: Professor Kyle Dyer, Dr Brenda Williams, and Stelios Tzitzikakis. The discussion looked back on the vision and ambition that shaped the creation of the programmes.
The Behind the Screens panel, moderated by Dr Mário Bevilaqua, provided attendees with some insight into the day-to-day running of the programmes highlighting the contributions of the many colleagues who bring the student experience to life. Panellists Dr Mark Kennedy, Alistair McWiggan, Dr Megan Earl, and Jen Osborne discussed learning design, the importance of maintaining an active student community, and the ongoing efforts to integrate authentic assessments.
In The Alumni Voices panel, moderated by Dr Emanuele De Luca, graduates Heema Shah, Treesje Verlinden, Dr Anne-Laure Le Cunff, Louise Baker, and Siobhan Swinsco shared how the programmes had profoundly impacted their careers and personal lives.
Following the panels, current programme leaders Dr Anja Harrison and Dr Mark Kennedy outlined their vision for the future, which included new modules, enhanced co-production with students, and a renewed focus on science communication. The event concluded with a lecture from Professor Matthew Hotopf, Executive Dean of the IoPPN.
This event was a fitting celebration of everything these two programmes have achieved over the past decade and of the community that has grown around them. It was a chance not only to celebrate success, but also to look forward with confidence and ambition. We look forward to the next 10 years!
Andrea Williams, IoPPN Centre for Education Development & Research (CEDAR) Manager
You can watch a video of the event below.
Time stamps
- [00:00:00] Welcome & Opening Remarks — Professor Juliet Foster
- [00:05:10] Institutional Endorsement — Professor Shitij Kapur
- [00:12:12] Panel 1: Founders’ Panel (Building the Vision) — Dr Anja Harrison, Prof Kyle Dyer, Dr Brenda Williams, Stelios Tzitzikakis
- [00:48:23] Panel 2: Behind the Screens (Making Online Learning Work) — Dr Mário Bevilaqua, Dr Mark Kennedy, Alistair McWiggan, Dr Megan Earl, Jen Osborne
- [01:20:58] Panel 3: The Impact (Alumni Voices) — Dr Emanuele De Luca, Heema Shah, Treesje Verlinden, Dr Anne-Laure Le Cunff, Louise Baker, Siobhan Swinsco
- [01:51:41] Programme Visions: What’s Next? — Dr Anja Harrison, Dr Mark Kennedy
- [02:14:07] Lecture — Professor Matthew Hotopf CBE
- [02:45:27] Closing Remarks — Professor Juliet Foster