The C. G. Jung Lecture at Essex University is a highly prestigious event in the field of Jungian studies and depth psychology. Hosted by Essex University’s School of Psychosocial and Psychoanalytic Studies, and online to a global audience, the lecture attracts leading scholars and practitioners from around the world. It serves as a platform for exploring Jungian thought in contemporary contexts, making it a significant intellectual event for those engaged in psychoanalysis, philosophy, and related disciplines.
In the 2025 Lecture, Lucy took audiences on a deep dive into the complexities of academic egos, self-awareness, education, and institutional pressures in her talk, 'Navigating Academic Egos and Therapeutic Spaces: Insights from Nearly 30 Years at the frontline of academia and Jungian Studies.'
Drawing from her experience in her career spanning research, teaching, editing, examining, and clinical training, Lucy explored the paradoxes of self-reflection and institutional life within academic and therapeutic settings. With characteristic depth and wit, she unpacked the tensions between intellectual ambition and personal growth, shedding light on the ways ego inflation can manifest at all levels — from students to senior scholars and academic management.
One of the most engaging aspects of the talk was her discussion of physical and psychological spaces — how the environments we inhabit, from our city streets, classroom and therapy consulting rooms, shape our ability to reflect, grow, and connect. By highlighting the role of architecture and spatial design in psychoanalytic and academic experiences, she invited the audience to consider how thoughtfully designed spaces can enhance introspection and resilience.
A Talk That Resonated
Professor Huskinson’s reflections struck a chord with the audience, many of whom recognised the challenges she described. Her ability to weave together personal experience, philosophical depth, and real-world critique made for a compelling and relatable discussion. The Q&A session that followed sparked dialogue, confessional responses, and philosophical exploration of the practical implications of Jungian and Nietzschean thought in their own professional and academic lives.
As an internationally respected scholar, Lucy Huskinson continues to push the boundaries of Jungian studies, bridging psychoanalysis, philosophy, and architectural design in innovative ways. Her talk was described not only as an intellectual feast but also an evocative invitation to rethink the spaces — both physical and institutional — that shape our personal and professional development.
For those who missed the event, several of her books offer further exploration of some of these themes, such as, Nietzsche and Jung (2004), Architecture and the Mimetic Self: a psychoanalytic study of how buildings make and break our lives (2018), and Nietzsche and Architecture (2024).
Professor Peter Shapely, Head of School of History, Law, and Social Sciences, says, "We are absolutely thrilled by Lucy's exceptional achievement. Being invited to deliver the prestigious annual C. G. Jung Lecture is a testament to the intellectual rigor of her research and her impressive global profile. Lucy has been a trail blazer in the fields of Nietzschean philosophy and Jungian psychology, with her publications translated into multiple languages and frequent invitations to present keynote papers at international conferences. Her ability to navigate these complex fields is nothing short of inspiring".