About department:
The scientific laboratory was founded in 2000 as a laboratory of the psychology of political choice, which in 2006 was transformed into a laboratory of fundamental and applied problems of communication, and in 2013 into a laboratory of the psychology of communication.
The activity of the laboratory is aimed at studying the psychology of human communication in various spheres of activity, as the basis of pro-sociality and peaceful human interaction.
Link to department page on facebook: https://www.facebook.com/labpsycom
Department staff:
HALYNA BEVZ
Head of the department, Dr. Sc. (Psychology), Professor;
e-mail: galina.bevz@gmail.com
https://scholar.google.com.ua/citations?user=gG5SFi8AAAAJ
https://orcid.org/0000-0003-2487-5429
Web of Science ResearcherID F-9083-2019
Scopus Preview ResearcherID 57226495353
Work experience in the field of education and social work, she is a teacher of higher school of psychological disciplines, an initiator of social innovations in Ukraine (Institute of foster “care foster” families and child-friendly survey in investigative actions),
Leader of psychological groups and specialist in family and marital counseling (certification in the field of family counseling, psychodrama, psycho-imaginative psychotherapy and social mediation).
The author of 150 scientific publications, including the monograph “Foster family institute: social and psychological dimensions”.
Scientific interests: psychology of the family and marital relations; developmental psychology; social and organizational psychology, psychological family and marital counseling and psychotherapy.
OLGA CHISTYAK
PhD (Psychology), researcher;
e-mail: cholga1204@gmail.com
https://orcid.org/0000-0003-4583-4933
https://scholar.google.com.ua/citations?hl=uk&user=aY3WkMsAAAAJ
Work experience: She has 10 years of scientific and pedagogical experience, as well as 15-year experience of psychological work with children and their parents in the system of education. Psychologist of the International Charitable Fund “Assistance to Chornobyl Children”.
Expert on creation of textbooks for institutions of Secondary School education under the program “New Ukrainian school”. Since 2021 she has been a member of the expert Commission on psychology and pedagogy of the Ministry of Education and Science of Ukraine. Author of 18 publications and co-author of the training-methodical manual «Organization of psychological service» (2020).
Scientific interests: Children’s psychology and family psychology, psychology of communication; volunteer and public activity.
IRYNA PETRENKO
PhD (Psychology), researcher
e-mail: petrenko.iryna.vld@gmail.com
https://scholar.google.com.ua/citations?user=cHdlj0kAAAAJ
https://orcid.org/0000-0002-5900-0852
Work experience: Has more than 30 years of scientific experience. She is the author and co-author over 120 scientific publications, including five monographs, three practical manuals, three educational and methodological recommendations, professional articles and abstracts of scientific conferences.
Scientific interests: social psychology, personality psychology, communication psychology, pedagogical psychology.
LARYSA BOBROVA
PhD (Psychology), researcher
e-mail: Lara_69@i.ua
https://orcid.org/0000-0002-3294-9216
https://scholar.google.com.ua/citations?user=upx2YIcAAAAJ
Work experience: She has more than 15 years of scientific and pedagogical experience, as well as more than 10 years of practical experience in psychological assistance to individuals in stressful situations, counseling on issues of personal growth, family and interpersonal relations. She is a teacher of psychological profile disciplines at a higher school, the author of more than 30 scientific publications.
Scientific interests: personality psychology, family and child psychology, psychology of success, positive psychotherapy.
OLGA LOVKA
PhD (Psychology), Docent
e-mail: olga.lovka@gmail.com
https://scholar.google.com.ua/citations?user=hw10wUEAAAAJ&hl
https://orcid.org/0000‐0002‐6198‐5144
OLENA DZIUBENKO
PhD (Psychology), researcher
e-mail: lena4716@gmail.com
https://orcid.org/0000-0003-1053-2492
https://scholar.google.com.ua/citations?user=Pi9gZQQAAAAJ
Work experience: more than 15 years of practical and scientific experience. She is a teacher of psychological profile disciplines at a higher school, the author and co-author over 35 scientific publications, including practical manuals, professional articles and abstracts of scientific conferences. Specialist in issues of school and family adaptation of personality, self-knowledge, personal growth, interpersonal relations.
Scientific interests: family and child psychology, developmental psychology, social psychology, psychology of communication.
ALINA MELNYK
Master of Psychology, Researcher
e-mail: alyamelnyk@gmail.com
https://scholar.google.com.ua/citations?user=33A0cRgAAAAJ
https://orcid.org/0000-0002-7386-8770
Work experience in Non-Government organizations and family clubs, group and individual psychological work with adults (23+), author of online courses for improving the qualifications of psychologists in the field of inclusive education, co-author of the edition «Organizational and ethical principles of the activity of the Inclusive Resource Center» (2018) and «Methodological recommendations for the implementation of the personal assistant for a person with a disability» service (2021).
Scientific interests: psychology of communication in an inclusive educational environment, social psychology, psychology of personal growth.
NATALIA PINCHUK
PhD (Psychology), Docent
e-mail: tacya3@gmail.com
ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-1904-804X
https://scholar.google.com/citations?hl=en&user=u5dlJc8AAAAJ
OLENA VASHCHENKO
Master of Psychology, Researcher
e-mail: olena_v8@ukr.net
https://orcid.org/0009‐0009‐1769‐7258
Work experience includes working as nursing staff in medical institutions (10 years), working in the field of sales as a personnel manager (9 years), and experience in the field of psychology that includes working in educational institutions (3 years) and the research field (3 years).
Research Topics
Project (2025–2026):
“Socio-psychological Conditions for the Democratization of Education in the New Ukrainian School”
Leader: H. M. Bevz, PhD, Professor
Objective: Identify socio-psychological conditions that support democratization in secondary education.
Tasks:
- Explore socio-psychological features of school democratization per the New Ukrainian School Concept.
- Establish theoretical and methodological foundations for the research.
- Empirically investigate socio-psychological conditions of educational democratization.
- Develop practical materials for promoting democratization in schools.
Expected Impact:
- Clear model of socio-psychological conditions for democratization.
- Tools for strengthening democratic practices in schools.
- Improved collaboration among educational stakeholders, even in challenging conditions.
Nationwide Educational Experiment (2024–2027)
Topic: “Socio-psychological Conditions of School–Parent Interaction in Education Reform”
Participants: Selected schools in Volyn region
Objective: Examine and strengthen school–parent interaction during secondary education reform.
Key Tasks:
- Analyze school–parent interaction methods.
- Define criteria and tools for socio-psychological interaction.
- Investigate interaction specifics and conditions for constructive engagement.
- Develop and test a socio-psychological interaction model.
- Train teachers in cooperation and partnership.
Hypothesis: Stronger interaction arises from informed, engaged participants, effective communication, and teachers’ partnership competencies supporting student well-being.
Special Courses & Programs:
- Theory & Practice of Socio-Psychological Support for Educational Reforms – professional development for education authorities and school leaders (30 hours, 1 ECTS).
- Group Meetings for Parents & Teachers of NUS – supporting children’s educational interests (36 hours, 1.2 ECTS).
- PATH-Process – reflection, strengths awareness, collective action for positive educational change (12–18 hours).
- Dilts Pyramid Technology – structured guidance in teacher and student development (6 hours).
- Stakeholder Partnership Technologies – “Future Search,” “Appreciative Inquiry Summit,” “Real-Time Strategic Change” (3 hours each).
- Teaching in Inclusive Environments – certified online course (40 hours).
Communication Skills Development:
- Organizational communication training (H. Bevz, A. Melnyk)
- Board games for communication skill building (A. Melnyk)
- Marital & parent–child relationship programs:
a) Marriage Preparation (10 × 3 hours, H. Bevz)
b) Counseling & Psychotherapy for Couples (H. Bevz, L. Bobrova)
c) Parent School & Counseling (10 × 3 hours, O. Chystiak)