Cult survivor and dark web expert announced for Belfast event exploring the psychology of influence

Psychologist and cult survivor Petra Velzeboer and internationally recognised researcher and author Carl Miller are among the speakers announced for Mind Ctrl, a new Belfast event exploring how influence shapes the way people think, behave and make decisions, in a world where attention, trust and belief are getting harder to win

Taking place at W5 Belfast, the event will bring together marketers, communicators, business leaders and behavioural experts to examine the forces behind persuasion, belief, attention and human behaviour in modern society.

Velzeboer, who grew up inside a religious cult before leaving in her twenties, will share insights into belief systems, group influence and human behaviour, while Miller, one of the world’s leading voices on online influence and the dark web, will explore how digital communities, algorithms and online movements shape modern culture.

Created by Big Marketing Meet-Up founder Treena Clarke, Mind Ctrl will also feature speakers including anthropologist Dr Stephen Herron, influence expert Andy Lambert and researcher Dr Weeda Mehran.

Treena said the event was designed to give people a deeper understanding of how influence works across business, marketing, media and society.

“We live in a world where attention, trust and belief are constantly being competed for,” she said. “Mind Ctrl is about understanding the psychology behind that and what it means for the work we do every day.”

Mind Ctrl takes place at W5 Belfast on 27 May.

Programme and tickets at www.mind-ctrl.com