The Graduate Program in Psychology (PPgPsi/UFRN) was established in 1999 within the Psychology Department of the Federal University of Rio Grande do Norte (UFRN). Prior to its creation, the university had already laid the groundwork for its development through several initiatives, including an Undergraduate Course in Psychology (established in 1976), a Specialization Course in Psychology (offered in 1996 and 1998 as a pilot experience for the Master's Degree), the creation of a specialized scientific journal, Estudos de Psicologia (founded in 1996), and medium-term planning aimed at qualifying its teaching staff and consolidating research groups in Psychology and related fields. These research groups serve as the foundation for the teaching, research, and extension activities of the faculty and have become a fundamental element in the organization of the PPgPsi/UFRN.

The objectives of the PPgPsi/UFRN are as follows:

1. To study and produce knowledge about psychosocial processes and psychological practices in various fields of human activity, with the aim of training highly qualified professionals for research and teaching in Psychology and related areas.

2. To equip these professionals with the skills to reflect on and develop strategies that promote socially relevant changes in their field, as well as to enhance the individual and social well-being of the populations they serve.

In line with these objectives, the expected profile of a PPgPsi graduate is that of a master’s or doctoral professional who is technically, ethically, and politically competent in the development of teaching and research activities within their specialized fields. Graduates are expected to develop a comprehensive set of teaching and research skills. Regarding research skills, PPgPsi graduates should be able to identify socially and scientifically relevant research problems; propose appropriate research strategies; conduct scientific research activities ethically and rigorously—preferably within research networks and groups; and effectively communicate their findings, both orally and in writing. Additionally, they should critically engage with knowledge produced in Psychology and related areas, beyond their specific subfields. As for teaching skills, graduates are expected to effectively manage the teaching-learning process, both inside and outside the classroom, and to master essential teaching tools, such as designing course syllabi, lesson plans, and classroom didactics. To support this, the program offers the course Introduction to Teaching in Higher Education (60 hours) and provides teaching internship opportunities.

Since 2019, the program has been organized into the following research lines, which reflect the diversity and focus of the work conducted by PPgPsi/UFRN faculty:

I - Health, Work, and Development
II - Psychology, Politics, and Socio-spatialities

Currently, the Psychology Department hosts the following research groups linked to the postgraduate program:

• Work Studies and Research Group (GEPET): https://www.instagram.com/gepet.ufrn/

• Psychology and Health Study Group (GEPS): https://www.instagram.com/geps.ufrn – ufrngeps.wixsite.com/home

• Subjectivity and Human Development Study Group (GESDH): https://www.instagram.com/gesdh.ufrn/

• Research Group on Politics, Production of Subjectivity, and Practices of Resistance (Gentileza): https://www.instagram.com/gentileza.ufrn/

• Modes of Subjectivation, Public Policies, and Contexts of Vulnerability Research Group (Modos de Subjetivação): https://www.instagram.com/ppgpsi.subjetivacao/

• Marxism & Education Research Group (GPM&E): https://www.instagram.com/gpme_ufrn/

• Written Language, Interdisciplinarity, and Learning Laboratory (LEIA): https://leia.ccs.ufrn.br/

• Neuropsychology Research and Extension Laboratory (LAPEN): https://www.instagram.com/lapenufrn

• Observatory of the Child and Youth Population in Contexts of Violence (OBIJUV): https://www.instagram.com/obijuv_ufrn/ – https://www.obijuvufrn.com.br/

• Observatory of Gender, Diversity, and Political Practices (OBDIVER): https://www.instagram.com/obdi.ver/

• Observatory of Latin American Environmental Psychology (OBPALA): https://www.instagram.com/ob.pala/

• Observatory of Suicide and Race (OBSUR): https://www.instagram.com/obsur.ufrn/

For more information about the research groups, visit: http://www.psicologia.ufrn.br/pesquisa.php#menu3

Secretariat Staff:

• Bruno Robson Simonetti Silva

• Lizianne Juline do Nascimento e Silva Martins

Contact Information:

• Email: secppgpsi@gmail.com

• Phone: (84) 3342-2236 – Ext. 303 (Secretariat) or 304 (Coordination)

Opening Hours:

• 8:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. and 1:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. (From 1:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m., office hours are reserved for internal activities.)

Postal Address:
UFRN/CCHLA
The Graduate Psychology Program
University Campus – Lagoa Nova – P.O. Box 1622
Natal/RN – CEP 59078-970