Call for Submissions
The Manitoba Psychological Society (MPS) created the Dr. John Walker Student Research Award in memory of Dr. John Walker (1949-2018), a Manitoba psychologist who earned international recognition for his research within the field of anxiety. In addition to an exemplary researcher, Dr. Walker was a mentor to countless numbers of psychology students and residents and a highly respected clinician who provided individual and group treatment services to individuals across the age span. This award replaces the previous Graduate Student Award.
Criteria: this award recognizes the student with the most meritorious submission to the annual student poster competition which is held at MPS’s Annual General Meeting in March. Research projects must be in the field of psychology. Submissions will be judged based on several criteria including, but not limited to, topic, research design, clarity of information, visual appeal, and the student’s submission letter. The competition is open to all student members of the Manitoba Psychological Society, both undergraduate and graduate level training. A paper certificate and monetary award is presented yearly at the MPS Annual General Meeting in March.
2026 Call Out
The Manitoba Psychological Society (MPS) is hosting their Annual General Meeting in person this year on Thursday March 26, 2026 from 5:30 – 10:00 PM (formal portion to be followed by a member’s night reception). Students are invited to showcase their research and participate in the Dr. John Walker Student Research award poster competition. The winner will be awarded a certificate and cash prize.
If you are interested in entering the poster competition, please submit a PDF version of your poster with a one page submission letter, outlining your research, to MPS Student Advocate Director, Lara Penner-Goeke, at [email protected] by Friday, February 20, 2026. Please include “Dr. John Walker Student Research Award” in the subject line of your email. The winner will be announced at our AGM on Thursday, March 26, 2026. All submissions will be presented at the meeting (depending on availability of an already printed poster, display will be in print or on a large AV screen). Students entering the competition can register to attend the AGM without charge, sponsored by Full Members of MPS.
In order to take part in the student poster competition, you must be a student member of MPS in the submission year (2026). Members of MPS will be emailed the AGM invitation including registration link. If you have any questions about the poster competition or the AGM, please email MPS Student Advocate Director, Lara Penner-Goeke, at [email protected].