E-News December 2024
Update from Prof. Lori Foster - IAAP President
Dear IAAP Members,
Welcome to the December eNews. As the year 2024 draws to a close, I find myself reflecting on the remarkable strides we have made together in advancing applied psychology as a force for positive change. Our collective efforts are grounded in the recognition that psychology plays a vital role in addressing the world's most pressing challenges—whether through influencing policy, fostering cross-cultural collaboration, conducting innovative research, or equipping individuals and communities to thrive. Together, we are shaping a future where applied psychology empowers all individuals and societies to flourish.
Strengthening Member Connections
This year offered a variety of opportunities for members to connect across divisions and geographies, fostering collaboration and mutual learning. A key example was the successful collaboration between Division 9 (Economic Psychology) and Division 13 (Traffic and Transportation Psychology) in hosting the webinar Towards Sustainable Transport Choices. This event highlighted how psychological insights can tackle global challenges like climate change by promoting sustainable transportation behaviors.
Similarly, members of Division 4 (Environmental Psychology), Division 8 (Health Psychology), and the EHPS SIG “Equity, Global Health and Sustainability” came together for the webinar Healthy Environment, Healthy People: Bridging Environmental and Health Psychology. This engaging session featured presentations on topics such as the mental health benefits of nature, resilience in the face of environmental change, and sustainable mobility. I know I learned a lot from these sessions, and I hope they sparked valuable insights for you as well.
In addition to these collaborative efforts, we launched a new feature in the eNews: the Member Spotlight. This initiative celebrates the achievements of IAAP members worldwide, from groundbreaking research and impactful practice to prestigious awards and recognitions. These stories highlight the outstanding work being done across our global community and inspire us all to continue striving for excellence.
Click HERE to read more about IAAP’s 2024 highlights.
Division News
Division 4: Environmental Psychology and Division 8: Health Psychology
In case you missed it! Divisions 4 and 8, together with Special Interest Group “Equity, Global Health and Sustainability” of the European Health Psychology Society hosted a webinar on bridging Environmental and Health Psychology.
You can watch the full webinar HERE.
Division 8: Health Psychology
The latest Division 8 newsletter is now available. It highlights the accomplishments of spotlighted member Ning Zhang, insights from a Mental Health First Response (MHFR) workshop in Cebu City, Philippines, and other notable achievements and publications.
Click HERE for the full Division 8 Newsletter.
Division 17: Professional Practice
The Division of Professional Practice would like to wish all IAAP Members a Happy Festive Season and an above-all Peaceful New Year ahead! It has been an eventful year, and we look forward to corresponding with all members during 2025.
With all best wishes from the Division 17 Executive Team.
Click HERE for the full Division 17 Newsletter.
COMMUNITY HIGHLIGHTS
José Maria Peiró Honored: Last month, Former IAAP President Prof. José Maria Peiró (2011–2014) received the Laurea Magistrale Honoris Causa from the University of Florence. You can watch the momentous ceremony HERE.
Early Career Marathon Progress: The ECM2025 team is hard at work, coordinating with discussants who will review presenters’ videos. This much-anticipated event features the latest research from our student and early career colleagues. Stay tuned for more updates!
UN Event on Mental Health: On November 21, Dr. Judy Kuriansky led an impactful event at the United Nations titled “Programs Informing Policy about Mental Health.” Cosponsored by IAAP and other esteemed organizations, the event brought together mental health experts, policymakers, and global leaders to discuss integrating mental health into governance frameworks. Highlights included discussions on mental health as a human rights imperative, strategies for building resilience in communities, and the importance of prioritizing well-being in policymaking
APPLIED PSYCHOLOGY AROUND THE WORLD: CALL FOR CONTRIBUTIONS
We are delighted to inform you of the extension for submitting policy examples for the upcoming issue of Applied Psychology Around the World (APAW).
Has your research influenced policy? APAW invites you to submit brief examples (up to 1,000 words) showcasing how your work has impacted policy—whether at the community level, with small-to-medium enterprises, or in broader city, national, or multinational policy changes. Divisions are encouraged to submit multiple examples. This is a key opportunity to contribute to IAAP’s Strategic Goal #1, which emphasizes the application of psychology to policy.
Please send your submissions to Stuart Carr (S.C.Carr@massey.ac.nz).
The updated deadline for submissions is December 8.
As you prepare your submissions, be sure to check out the latest edition of Applied Psychology Around the World (APAW), Volume 6, Issue 2, which centers on gender and psychology. This issue highlights how applied psychology can advance gender equality, featuring initiatives that address gender issues and projects dedicated to empowering women.
Read the newest APAW issue HERE.
We look forward to seeing the impactful work shared by readers from around the world!
NEWS FROM THE INTERNATIONAL COUNCIL OF PSYCHOLOGISTS (ICP)
Please join us in Rotterdam for the 2025 ICP Conference – Theme Social Inclusion and Migration
Join ICP for a small conference for learning, networking, discussion and collaboration!
April 3-5, 2025 – Rotterdam, the Netherlands
IAAP members may register at ICP member rates!
SEE MORE HERE: https://icpweb.org/icp-annual-conference/icp2025/
SAVE THE DATE: ICAP 2026 in Florence!
Come to Florence, Italy, for the 31st International Congress of Applied Psychology (ICAP) from July 21-25, 2026.
At ICAP 2026, we'll explore the latest advancements in applied psychology and their potential to foster positive change on both individual and societal scales.
Join us for an inspiring and enriching conference set in one of the most stunning cities in the world. Learn more!