E-News March 2025
Update from Prof. Lori Foster - IAAP President
Dear IAAP Members,
As I write this, we’re coming out of an exciting IAAP Early Career Marathon (ECM), a truly global event that brought psychology to life through fresh ideas, dynamic discussions, and real-time engagement. Some of you stayed immersed for the full 24 hours - impressive stamina! Others joined when they could, catching sessions across different time zones. However you participated, I hope you found it as energizing as I did.
Among the many engaging sessions at the ECM, I appreciated the chance to sit down with Professor Shige Oishi to discuss his new book, Life in Three Dimensions. If you haven’t come across it yet, this compelling read explores how a well-lived life isn’t just about happiness or meaning. It’s also about psychological richness.
This concept is relevant for IAAP members across all career stages. In psychology, our professional journeys offer many avenues for curiosity, discovery, and growth. Throughout our conversation, Prof. Oishi shared how stepping outside our comfort zones, embracing the unexpected, and seeking diverse experiences can enrich both our professional and personal lives.
For those who missed the conversation - or want to revisit it - you can watch and listen HERE.
The Early Career Marathon highlighted the strength of our global community, and IAAP offers various ways to build on that momentum. As always, this edition of the eNews brings you updates on IAAP activities, upcoming events, and ways to stay engaged. I encourage you to make the most of these opportunities and stay connected with our global network.
Until next time, may your month be filled with happiness, meaning, and psychological richness.
Warm regards,
Lori Foster
President, International Association of Applied Psychology
Division News
Division 1: Work & Organizational Psychology
Key Conclusions Now Available: Promoting Decent Work for All
The key conclusions from IAAP’s recent conference on the Psychology of Selection and Assessment are now available.
Held in November 2024 at the University of Florence, Italy, this two-day event—"Psychology of Selection and Assessment: Calling, Meaning, Purpose, and Sustainable Development. Perspectives and Imperatives for Decent, Dignified, Worthy, Healthy Work and Life" (Second edition)—was organized by Annamaria Di Fabio as part of IAAP’s Special Project "Promoting Decent Work for All."
Supported by IAAP’s Division 1, in collaboration with the Italian Association of Psychology (Associazione Italiana di Psicologia – AIP), the University of Florence, and the University of Wroclaw, the conference brought together leading experts to discuss responsible selection and assessment methodologies, the impact of technology on work, and strategies for fostering humane, productive work environments.
Explore the key takeaways HERE.
Interview Series
Division 1 member, Amalia Raquel Perez-Nebra had the pleasure of meeting with expert Michelle Ryan to discuss the issues on gender equality and organizational practices.
You can watch the full interview HERE.
Remembering Prof. Leopold Vansina
Division 1 honors the life and contributions of Prof. Leopold Vansina, a distinguished scholar in organizational development, systems psychodynamics, transitional change, working with here-and-now dynamics, and joint sense-making. His work profoundly influenced the field, shaping both research and practice in understanding the complexities of organizational life.
To read a full tribute to his life and legacy, please click HERE.
Division 14: Applied Cognitive Psychology
Want to know what Division 14 has been up to? Recent highlights include participation in IAAP’s Early Career Marathon, with contributions to discussions, feedback, and knowledge-sharing.
In addition, Division 14 remains actively engaged in initiatives advancing brain awareness, social neuroscience, and interdisciplinary collaboration, including participation in Brain Awareness Week, which highlights the importance of neuroscience research and education. Stay tuned for more updates on their ongoing activities and contributions!
Division 16: Counseling Psychology
Explore reported developments in counseling psychology in Italy, Philippines, and Singapore.
Read the full report HERE.
Division 17: Professional Practice
The executive members from Division 17 are pleased to share their latest newsletter catching you up on current activities including their monthly collection of ‘Items of Professional Interest.’
Read the full newsletter HERE.
EARLY CAREER MARATHON
In Case You Missed It
If you missed IAAP's 24-hour event showcasing the research of our student and early-career psychologists, do not worry! The presentations are available to view online HERE!
While you're browsing, be sure to check out IAAP President Lori Foster's interview with Professor Shige Oishi. Their conversation covers a range of topics, including human motivation, the complexities of misinformation, and the real-world application of psychology across various sectors. Click HERE to watch the interview.
Congratulations to our 2025 winners!
First Place: Lea Marie Zangerl - Whenever, wherever? The optimal level of work engagement for recovery and the role of transformational leadership.
Second Place: Erasmus Keli Swanzy - Transformational and Abusive Leaders and their Short and Long-Term Influence on Employee Physical Illbeing: A Multilevel Longitudinal Study of Exploring Motivational-Affective Mechanisms under Work and Work-Home Condition.
ADVANCED RESEARCH TRAINING SEMINAR (ARTS)
The Call for Team Leaders is open!
We have launched a new edition of the Advanced Research Training Seminar (ARTS) project, as one of our key initiatives leading up to ICAP2026 in Florence.
If you hold a Ph.D. and are eager to elevate your research while leading an international team of psychologists, this is your chance.
The program is structured around group research projects. Six early-career researchers (such as assistant professors or postdoctoral scholars) are selected as team leaders, tasked with organizing and coordinating an international research project on a topic of their choice. Each team then consists of three to four participants, including Ph.D. candidates and/or Master’s students.
Click HERE for details on how to apply as a team leader. More information on how to apply as a team member will be announced soon!
The deadline to apply is March 15.
UNITED NATIONS NEWS
This month’s UN updates come from our representatives in New York and Vienna. IAAP’s presence at the UN ensures psychology remains central to the development-humanitarian ecosystem, as we contribute to key discussions and events both in person and online. In March, our efforts focus especially on gender equality and women’s rights, a core priority of Goal 5 in the UN 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.
Dr. Judy Kuriansky and Dr. Walter Reichman of our New York team invite all IAAP members to participate in the upcoming UN Commission on the Status of Women (CSW) meeting. This two-week event, including both the government sessions and the NGO forum, takes place from March 10–21, offering both in-person and virtual participation options. IAAP members can register for the full CSW NGO Forum meeting and explore the event website to select specific sessions of interest. These are formally referred to as “parallel events." Additionally, participants can follow UN Women meetings online via UN WebTV, which will stream selected CSW sessions throughout the two-week event. These are formally referred to as “side events.”
IAAP is proud to be co-sponsoring the following events for the United Nations CSW NGO/NY Forum and to have our UN team member Dr. Kuriansky presenting on many panels.
Parallel Events
March 13, 11:00AM - 1:00PM (EDT) – In-person
Turkish Consulate General, 821 1st Avenue, New York City.
“Empowering Women and Girls: Educational Pathways to Women's Empowerment, The Role of Family and Community.”
This event is an opportunity to explore innovative strategies to harness family and community dynamics to promote educational pathways that empower women and girls.
Register for this in-person event HERE.
Flyer
March 18, 10:30AM - 12:00PM (EDT) - Virtual
"Protecting Women and Girls Against Conflict-Related Sexual Violence."
This important discussion will examine the global impact of conflict-related sexual violence (CRSV), spotlight key cases, and explore effective protection strategies. Experts and advocates will provide valuable insights on addressing this urgent issue and supporting survivors.
Register for this virtual event HERE.
Flyer
March 20, 10:30AM - 12:00PM (EST) - Virtual
“Promoting Resilience, Mental Health, and Leadership Among Refugee Women.”
This event explores the resilience and leadership of refugee women, emphasizing mental health challenges and empowerment strategies. Speakers from various cultures and countries will discuss the psychological impact of displacement, access to culturally responsive support, and the role of leadership and mental health support in overcoming systemic barriers. By shifting the narrative from vulnerability to strength, this session highlights how refugee women can become changemakers in their communities.
Register for this virtual event HERE.
Flyer
March 20, 6:30PM - 8:00PM (EDT) - Virtual
“Resilience as Resistance: Trauma Healing for Myanmar Women Amid Crisis.”
The discussion will highlight the complexities of supporting gender-based violence survivors in the context of ongoing political turmoil and emphasize how trauma education and mental health awareness are not only essential for individual healing but also crucial for peacebuilding and community rehabilitation in Myanmar, which can serve as a model for other countries in conflict. In the absence of resources, the fight for justice and freedom itself becomes an act of resistance, making self-care and mental well-being not just personal necessities, but essential contributions to the strength of the community and the broader struggle for freedom. Join us in exchanging expertise, resources, and insights on fostering resilience for women survivors. This session reaffirms that amid crises, women survivors are not just victims, they are leaders and change makers shaping the future of their communities.
Register for this virtual event HERE.
In addition to these four parallel events, there are three CSW side events you can watch via livestream or attend, in-person, in New York City.
Side Events
March 10, 12:30PM – 1:30PM (EDT)
ECOSOC Chamber, United Nations Headquarters, New York City.
“POWER4Girls: Invest in Girls, Transform the World.”
This event will be livestreamed on the day via UNWebTV.
Flyer
March 13, 3:00PM – 6:00PM (EDT)
Conference Room 8, United Nations Headquarters, New York City.
“Beyond the Silence: Women’s Mental Health in Sierra Leone.”
Register for this event HERE.
This event will be livestreamed on the day via UNWebTV.
Flyer
March 17, 10:00AM – 11:30AM (EDT)
Conference Room E, United Nations Headquarters, New York City.
“Localizing Implementation of the Women, Peace, and Security Agenda (UNSCR 1325) in West Africa and Sahel - The Case of Sierra Leone and Coastal Countries.”
Register for this event HERE.
This event will be livestreamed on the day via UNWebTV.
Flyer
We hope you take advantage of this incredible two-week event, bringing psychology insights to an international forum.
In other news, Dr. Walter Reichman and Dr. Judy Kuriansky recently presented at the Eastern Psychological Association (EPA) annual meeting, about their work at the UN. The meeting's theme was “Making Positive Changes in People's Lives and in the World.” It took place March 6-9 at the Marriott Marquis Hotel in New York City. The international NGOs' session ran all day on Saturday, with our IAAP representatives speaking from 2:50PM -3:50PM (EDT). See the full program HERE.
IAAP has also been actively advancing its engagement in global policy discussions in other parts of the world, including in Vienna. We are honored to co-sponsor a side event at the 34th Session of the UN Commission on Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice in Vienna, May 19-23, 2025. Organized by Soroptimist International and CoNGO (Conference of Non-Governmental Organizations), this event, titled “Emerging Threats Against Women and Girls in the Digital Era: Artificial Intelligence and Gaslighting,” will examine how states and other UN stakeholders can leverage diplomatic tools to combat online violence and gaslighting, emphasizing the urgent need for global solutions.
Learn more about the event HERE.
INTERNATIONAL CONGRESS OF APPLIED PSYCHOLOGY (ICAP)
The ICAP 2026 team is helping us stay connected with all the latest updates on the Congress by following their social media pages! Get news, highlights, and important announcements as they happen. But don’t worry if you’re not on social media—we’ve got you covered! You’ll still receive key updates in our monthly eNews, so you won’t miss a thing. Follow along using the links below!
ICAP Facebook
ICAP Instagram
ICAP LinkedIn
The call for abstracts for ICAP 2026 is open! 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.
Learn more and submit your abstract HERE.
INTERNATIONAL COUNCIL OF PSYCHOLOGISTS (ICP)
The International Council of Psychologists invites you to Rotterdam! ICP2025: Human Rights, Dignity & Justice: Social Inclusion & Migration promises to be an exciting conference and IAAP members can attend at ICP member rates! The event is scheduled to take place at Erasmus University College, Rotterdam, Netherlands over April 3-5, 2025.
Learn more and register HERE.
APPLIED PSYCHOLOGY AROUND THE WORLD (APAW)
Have you explored the latest issue of Applied Psychology Around the World (APAW) yet? Volume 7, Issue 1: Connecting With Policy - Through Partnership under the wing of its new editor, Professor Stuart Carr, offers a compelling collection of articles from IAAP members and divisions, examining how psychology plays a key role in shaping effective policy making.
This issue is available to read on our new online platform that can be accessed HERE.
IAAP's FIRST QUARTERLY CROSSWORD PUZZLE: Last Chance to Enter!
We launched IAAP’s very first Quarterly Crossword Puzzle - a fun and interactive way to connect with IAAP and the world of applied psychology. If you haven’t given it a try yet, there’s still time to jump 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 April eNews is March 21.
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.