E-News February 2025
Update from Prof. Lori Foster - IAAP President
Dear IAAP Members,
What happens when psychologists, physicists, mathematicians, geologists, and chemists all sit down to tackle the same global challenges? Last week in Oman, I had the chance to find out.
IAAP participated in the Muscat Global Knowledge Dialogue and the Third General Assembly of the International Science Council (ISC), where we serve as a voting member. ISC unites scientific academies from countries such as Australia, Colombia, Sweden, and Ghana, along with associations and unions across the natural, social, and applied sciences to address shared global challenges.
The need for interdisciplinary collaboration has never been greater. No single field has all the answers, but when disciplines work together, we get closer to solutions that are practical, scalable, and rooted in both scientific rigor and human understanding. This was a recurring theme throughout the week. Whether the discussion focused on AI, sustainable development, data interoperability, or misinformation, the message was clear: scientific progress doesn’t happen in isolation. It requires breaking down silos, bridging knowledge gaps, and recognizing that the biggest challenges we face are interconnected.
Psychology plays a key role in all of this. Conversations on science diplomacy highlighted how trust and cooperation shape global research efforts. Discussions on AI ethics reinforced the importance of understanding human decision-making. And sustainability sessions made it clear that addressing climate change isn’t just about technology, it’s about human behavior and societal change.
Of course, the challenge isn’t just ensuring psychology is at the table - it’s making sure our insights shape the decisions that follow.
That’s one of the reasons I’m excited to share this month’s eNews, which introduces a new issue of Applied Psychology Around the World (APAW)—where experts describe how psychology intersects with global challenges, offering fresh perspectives on our field’s impact on policy. You’ll also find updates on IAAP’s work at the United Nations, a spotlight on Dr. Judy Kuriansky, and a tribute to our dear colleague Dr. Rubén Ardila, whom we will greatly miss. The latest on the ARTS program is included too, plus highlights from the Early Career Marathon, Division activities, ICAP 2026 news, and more.
As we move into the Year of the Snake, I look forward to the opportunities ahead and the many ways IAAP members will continue advancing psychology in research, practice, and policy in the months to come.
Warm regards,
Lori Foster
President, International Association of Applied Psychology
Division News
Division 1: Work & Organizational Psychology
Join the One-Day International Conference on Sustainable Development and Careers. This event is part of IAAP’s Special Project on Promoting Decent Work for All, in collaboration with IAAP Division 1.
Colleagues, students, and professionals are invited to participate online on Tuesday, February 25: "Sustainable Development as a Fourth Paradigm for Twenty-First Century Careers: The Precious Contribution of Active Lives for the Construction of Decent and Healthy Work and Life – IAAP Special Project Promoting Decent Work for All."
This event will highlight the contributions of Jean Guichard and José Maria Peiró, among other distinguished speakers.
Date: Tuesday, February 25
Cost: Free of charge
Registration: Simply email annamaria.difabio@unifi.it
We look forward to IAAP members' participation in this important discussion.
Full schedule can be accessed HERE.
Division 2: Psychological Assessment & Evaluation
Get an overview of recent developments in psychological testing and assessment in Australia. In this newsletter, IAAP member Peter Macqueen, discusses the challenges and opportunities, while emphasizing the importance of international collaboration and the role of professional bodies in supporting ethical, evidence-based practice.
Read the full newsletter HERE.
Division 10: Psychology, Law & Ethics
Join Division 10 as they examine the rules governing identification parades in South Africa, the use of restorative justice in prisons, and highlight several upcoming events you won't want to miss!
Read the full newsletter HERE.
Division 17: Professional Practice
The Executive Team of Division 17 sends warm wishes to all IAAP members.
We would like to share our latest newsletter, catching you up on our current activities, including our monthly collection of Items of Professional Interest.
Read the full newsletter HERE.
We appreciate your interest and look forward to staying connected!
APPLIED PSYCHOLOGY AROUND THE WORLD: CALL FOR CONTRIBUTIONS
We are excited to announce the latest issue of Applied Psychology Around the World (APAW) is now available! Volume 7, Issue 1: Connecting With Policy - Through Partnership under the wing of its new editor, Professor Stuart Carr, offers a powerful collection of articles exploring how psychology contributes to effective policy making.
This issue is available to read on our new online platform that can be accessed HERE.
UNITED NATIONS NEWS
IAAP remains actively engaged at the United Nations, with representation in New York, Geneva, and Vienna to ensure that psychology both informs and is informed by international policy and decision-making. Across these locations, IAAP contributes to key discussions about sustainable development, on topics ranging from mental health and human rights to criminal justice and drug policy.
Recently, IAAP participated in discussions on reducing reoffending, an issue central to justice reform worldwide. The UN’s expert group on Reducing Reoffending, which met in Vienna last month, is working to develop strategies for rehabilitation and reintegration, ensuring that individuals who have been incarcerated receive the support needed to successfully reintegrate into society and avoid future offenses. By focusing on evidence-based approaches, these efforts aim to improve public safety, reduce repeat offenses, and create more effective justice systems. Dr. Wolfgang Beiglböck represented IAAP in these discussions, reinforcing the critical role of psychology in understanding behavior, designing rehabilitation programs, and shaping policies that support reintegration.
Next month, Dr. Beiglböck will represent IAAP at the 68th session of the Commission on Narcotic Drugs (CND), taking place in Vienna from March 10–14, 2025. The CND is the UN’s primary body for shaping international drug control policy, addressing issues such as prevention, treatment, and global cooperation.
A key part of IAAP’s engagement at the United Nations is creating opportunities for our members to contribute to global conversations where psychology can make a difference. One such opportunity is the NGO CSW69 Forum, where IAAP members are invited to apply to host a virtual Parallel Event alongside the UN Commission on the Status of Women (CSW). This is a chance to represent IAAP in an international forum, bringing psychology’s insights to discussions on gender equality and women’s empowerment.
If your work addresses gender equality in areas such as education and training, economic empowerment, health, poverty, violence prevention, media representation, institutional mechanisms for advancing women’s rights, decision-making, or environmental sustainability, you may be interested in proposing a session. Emerging issues such as climate change, AI, and LGBTQIA+ rights are also key areas of focus.
The NGO CSW69 Forum will take place from March 10–21, 2025, and virtual Parallel Events will be scheduled throughout that period. Sessions can be 90 or 120 minutes long.
The application deadline is February 21, 2025. Click HERE to learn more about how to apply.
MEMBER SPOTLIGHT
This month’s Member Spotlight features Dr. Judy Kuriansky, a globally recognized psychologist, humanitarian, and advocate, who was recently honored in Washington D.C. with the U.S. President’s Lifetime Achievement Award for “lifelong commitment to building a stronger nation through volunteer service.” Discover how her advocacy at the United Nations, her leadership within IAAP, and her humanitarian efforts continue to make a global impact. Read more about Dr. Kuriansky’s inspiring work HERE.
EARLY CAREER MARTAHON
This FREE event will bring together early-career psychologists and leading experts for 24 hours of continuous presentations and keynotes!
The Early Career Marathon is set to begin on Saturday, February 22 at 9:00 AM (London time) and conclude on Sunday, February 23 at 9:00 AM (London time).
Click HERE to register.
ICAP 2026
In case you missed it on social media: The call for abstracts for ICAP2026 is now open!
The 31st International Congress of Applied Psychology (ICAP) will take place from July 21-25, 2026. The theme of the Congress is: New Directions in Applied Psychology. We invite authors to submit their abstracts for oral presentations, poster presentations and symposia.
This event will offer a unique opportunity to share knowledge, explore innovative ideas, and discover groundbreaking research with distinguished researchers, practitioners, and professionals from around the world. Did we mention it’s being held in the magnificent Florence, Italy?
Learn more and submit your abstract, HERE!
ADVANCED RESEARCH TRAINING SEMINAR (ARTS)
It is our pleasure to announce that the Advanced Research Training Seminar (ARTS) project is coming back with a new edition, as one of our main activities prior to the ICAP2026 in Florence.
As you may know from previous editions, ARTS​ is a special research program organized by IAAP, conceived as a capacity-building workshop that takes place every four years, in conjunction with the International Congresses of Applied Psychology (ICAP). Since its first edition in 1992, ARTS promotes excellence in research skills and facilitates exchange and dialogue amongst early career scientists. ARTS is organized around group projects. Six early career researchers (i.e., assistant professor, postdoctoral) are recruited to become team leaders, to organize and coordinate an international research project on the topic of their choice. Each of these six teams are then composed of three to four participants (Ph.D. candidates and/or Master’s students).
The Call for Team Leaders is now open! If you hold a Ph.D. and are interested in taking your research to the next level, and having the chance to lead an international team of psychologists, this is your opportunity. Click HERE for more information on preparing your candidacy.
The deadline to apply is March 15, 2025!
IN MEMORIAM: Rubén Ardila (1942–2025)
The IAAP community mourns the loss of Dr. Rubén Ardila, a visionary psychologist whose impact extended far beyond his native Colombia. A dedicated scientist, prolific author, and international leader, he worked tirelessly to advance psychology in Latin America and beyond, bridging experimental research with historical and social perspectives.
He was highly engaged in IAAP, including his leadership as President of Division 18 (History of Applied Psychology). His contributions will continue to inspire generations of psychologists.
Read the full tribute HERE, written by Helio Carpintero in honor of Dr. Rubén Ardila's remarkable legacy.
SPSSI-SASP PEACEBUILDING SMALL GROUP CONFERENCE
IAAP members are invited to submit expressions of interest for the 2025 SPSSI-SASP Small Group Conference—Peacebuilding Through Conflict Transformation, taking place June 20-22, 2025, near Bangkok, Thailand.
Organized by the Society for the Psychological Study of Social Issues (SPSSI) and the Society of Australasian Social Psychologists (SASP) in collaboration with the International Institute for Peace and Development Studies (IIPDS), this small-group event will bring together psychologists interested in peacebuilding at individual, intergroup, and global levels.
Attendance is limited to 50 participants, with lodging, meals, and airport transportation covered by the hosts. Participants must arrange their own international travel and pay a nominal conference fee upon acceptance.
The deadline to submit an Expression of Interest has been extended to
February 23, 2025.
Submit your Expression of Interest HERE
View the full announcement HERE
Download flyer HERE
For questions, please contact the organizers at peacebuilding2025@gmail.com
IAAP'S FIRST QUARTERLY CROSSWORD PUZZLE
Last month, we introduced IAAP’s first-ever Quarterly Crossword Puzzle - a fun way to engage with IAAP and applied psychology. If you haven’t tried your hand at it yet, there’s still time to join in!
You can complete the puzzle on your own or as part of a team and submit it for a chance to win. Send in your completed puzzle by March 17 to be entered into a drawing for the prize. If no one submits a fully correct puzzle, the entry with the most correct answers will win. In the case of a tie, a winner will be drawn from the top entries.
The winning entry will be announced in the April eNews.
If you missed the original announcement, you can access the puzzle and submission instructions HERE.
Think you can solve it before the deadline? Give it a try!
Engage, Share, & Celebrate
Share on Social Media
We want to showcase the creativity, interests, and contributions of IAAP members on our social media platforms! Share your updates by tagging us in your posts, or send your stories, tips, and achievements to the Operations Center.
Whether it’s a research finding, a real-world application, or a personal milestone, your contributions help highlight the global impact of applied psychology. There’s no deadline for social media submissions—share anytime!
Contribute to the eNews
Prefer to keep your updates within the IAAP family? Contribute to the eNews, shared exclusively with IAAP members. Submissions can include awards, division activities, professional opportunities, and more.
If you or a colleague has a notable achievement to celebrate, submit it to the Member Spotlight here to be featured in an upcoming issue. For other news or updates, submit your contributions here. The deadline for the February eNews is February 19.
Webinar Proposals
Division and Task Force leaders, this is your opportunity to engage with members, share valuable insights, and foster dialogue on topics of interest. Submit your proposals for webinars here and contribute to the ongoing professional dialogue within IAAP.