From 9 to 11 April, we attended talks, symposia, and poster sessions at the ÖGP 2026, held in Salzburg, covering many different areas of psychology. We learned more about topics such as mental health, emotions and their regulation, and the ways in which psychological processes can be studied in the brain. The conference also gave us the chance to discover new research methods, hear different views, and talk to researchers from other universities about their work.

Of course, we did not only listen. We also presented our own research. Carmen, Nils, and Laura contributed talks to the scientific programme, while Anna, Johnny, Christina, Aaron, and Marleen presented their work during the poster session. The presentations led to interesting conversations, helpful feedback, and new ideas that we could take back to Innsbruck.

For Nils and Laura, the conference included another first: giving their first short talk in front of a scientific audience. Although this was naturally a little nerve-racking, having familiar faces from the team in the audience made the experience much easier and also more memorable. It was great to support each other, celebrate when a presentation was over, and share both the nervousness and excitement that came with presenting our research.

One of the highlights of the conference was Aaron’s success in the poster competition, where his contribution was awarded third place. We were very happy to celebrate this deserved achievement together.

By the end of the three days, we returned to Innsbruck with new ideas, many impressions, and a better sense of what being part of the wider scientific community feels like. For many of us, it was our first conference but certainly not our last.

Our presentations:

• L. Gervais, A.-C. S. Kimmig, S. Amaoui, B. Derntl, C. Morawetz. Oral Contraceptive-Induced Changes in Intrinsic Brain Network Architecture and Their Association with Empathy and Depression.

• A. Gmeiner, L. Gervais, D. Lang, C. Morawetz. Decoding Emotion Regulation: A Network-Based, Mechanistic fMRI Study.

• C. Grammenou, S. Berboth, C. Morawetz. Neural mechanisms underlying individual differences in reappraisal success.

• C. Morawetz. Neural Mechanisms of Emotional Balance: Insights from Affective Neuroscience.

• A. Tolone, E. Dermendzhiyska, C. Morawetz. Exploring the Impact of Betwixt: How Interactive Storytelling Improves Mental Health.

• M. Voorn, L. Bäuerl, C. Mathys, C. Lamm, C. Morawetz, N. Mikus. Exploring the role of perceived control and attribution bias in depressive mood through a gamified assessment.

• J. Weber, N. Mikuš, C. Lamm, C. Morawetz. The neural underpinnings of psychological stress induced by the Montreal Imaging Stress Task: An fMRI study.

• N. Wehner & C. Morawetz. The Impact of Emotion Regulation on Frustration: Behavioral and Neural Insights.