Regent’s welcomed renowned psychologist Dr Linda Papadopoulos for a special Honorary Professor talk exploring how our understanding of success, identity and resilience is evolving in a hyper-connected world. Hosted by Prof. Maria Kordowicz, Director of Psychology and Research at Regent’s, the conversation centred on the theme of success – and how its meaning changes over time.
Introduced by Regent’s Vice-Chancellor and CEO, Geoff Smith, as ‘one of the UK’s most respected psychologists’, Linda has built a career publishing widely and making complex psychological ideas accessible to the public.
How the meaning of success changes
Reflecting on her early career, Linda explained that success initially meant making a visible impact.
‘When I was young, it was about making my mark,’ she said. ‘As I’ve grown older, it’s more about connection. All we leave behind is the impact we have on other people’.
Today, she describes success as something quieter but more confident, grounded in relationships and shared experiences rather than external recognition.
Taking risks and challenging the status quo
Linda also spoke about the professional risks she took early in her career, particularly when she appeared on television during the early days of Big Brother in 2001.
At the time, many academic peers questioned whether media appearances were compatible with academic credibility. For Linda, however, communicating psychology beyond academia was essential.
‘It’s just as important to publish in five-star journals as it is to educate the public about psychology,’ she said. ‘It’s very easy to listen to the status quo, but I went with my instinct’. While the decision initially brought pushback, it ultimately helped bring psychological insights into mainstream public discussion.
Identity in the age of social media
During the discussion, Linda reflected on how the rise of social media has changed the way people think about identity and visibility.
‘We’re living in a world of hyper-awareness about how we’re seen,’ she said, describing the pressure to constantly present a curated version of ourselves online. Over time, this can lead people to ‘outsource’ their sense of identity to external validation. ‘If you wear a mask for long enough, it can begin to fuse to your face’, she added.
Advice for students
When asked what advice she would give to students navigating today’s digital environment, Linda emphasised the need to ‘connect with people in real life – we’re seeing an epidemic of loneliness and anxiety’.
She encouraged students to ’do something you love’ whilst remaining persistent and brave in their professional journeys. ‘Be curious – it will always hold you in good stead. And say yes more than you say no. Often it’s fear that holds us back’.
For Linda, the most important anchors remain simple ones: family, friendships, and meaningful relationships. ‘When all is said and done’, she reflected, ‘relationships are all we have’.