E-News May 2025
Update from Prof. Lori Foster - IAAP President
President's Message
Dear IAAP Members,
A few weeks ago, I tuned in for Psychology Day at the United Nations, a virtual event that IAAP was proud to co-sponsor. One of the speakers, Professor Ines Meyer, spoke about the importance of giving voice to the voiceless. She encouraged listeners to consider whose perspectives are missing when we talk about topics like work, sustainability, or wellbeing, and how psychology might help bring those perspectives into view.
In her talk, she referenced an article I have since read and reread, an essay by Nobel Prize winning economist Angus Deaton, in which he describes the beliefs he has changed his mind about over the course of his career. Some involve shifts in how he interprets evidence, others in how he sees the world. All are shared with humility and a willingness to unlearn.
That act of unlearning, of letting go of something you once believed in order to make room for a different understanding, is one we do not always celebrate. And yet, it’s central to our work as psychologists. It is also part of what connects us as members of a globally engaged profession.
As IAAP continues to work on the international stage, through our presence at the United Nations, the wide ranging activities of our divisions, preparations for next year's International Congress of Applied Psychology (ICAP), and our ongoing publications, we bring not only knowledge but also a mindset: a commitment to scientific rigor, an openness to listening and rethinking, and a readiness to apply our insights in ways that serve people and society.
This month’s eNews reflects that spirit. You will find highlights from Applied Psychology Around the World, new research in Applied Psychology: Health and Well-Being, updates from divisions, the latest opportunity to submit your proposal for ICAP, and more. I hope this month's updates invite you to pause, consider, imagine, or even think again.
Warm regards,
Lori Foster
President, International Association of Applied Psychology
Division News
Division 1: Work & Organizational Psychology
We’re excited to invite you to the upcoming One-Day International Conference on Sustainability and Decent Work, “Psychology of Sustainability and Sustainable Development: Preparing the Ground Beyond the Agenda 2030 for a Sustainable Sustainability.”
This special event - part of the IAAP Special Project "Promoting Decent Work for All" and the MANUREFINERY Horizon Project - will take place in Florence and online on June 3, 2025.
The conference will feature presentations by leading experts, including Annamaria Di Fabio and Marc A. Rosen, among other distinguished speakers. Admission is free and the event is open to the public. For more details, click HERE. To register, please contact: annamaria.difabio@unifi.it
Division 18: History
In this most recent newsletter from Division 18, read about Waclaw Radecki and his contribution to applied psychology, as well as recommended books and upcoming events. Read the full newsletter HERE.
APPLIED PSYCHOLOGY: HEALTH AND WELL-BEING (AP:HWB)
May is Mental Health Awareness Month - a time to prioritize mental well-being and seek out tools that support emotional and psychological health. One valuable member resource for our community is IAAP's Applied Psychology: Health and Well-Being, a peer-reviewed journal offering evidence-based insights into mental health strategies, behavioral science, and wellness practices.
Explore the latest findings and deepen your understanding of mental health this month and beyond. Click HERE to access the journal.
APPLIED PSYCHOLOGY AROUND THE WORLD (APAW)
A new issue of Applied Psychology Around the World (APAW) is now available. Volume 7, Issue 2 takes a closer look at IAAP's 2025 Early Career Marathon.
This issue offers a unique insider’s perspective, featuring reflections from Organizing Committee members Pedro Altungy (IAAP Secretary General) and Marija Davcheva (IAAP Division 15 President). You'll also find thought-provoking contributions from President Lori Foster and APAW Editor Stuart Carr. This issue showcases extended abstracts from three award winners along with highlights of the valuable contributions made by authors from around the world.
Explore this issue on our new online platform, which includes a text-to-talk feature and other enhancements!
UNITED NATIONS NEWS
IAAP has been hard at work preparing for this year’s High-Level Political Forum on Sustainable Development (HLPF), which will take place in New York from 14 to 23 July 2025. The HLPF is the United Nations’ central platform for reviewing global progress toward the 2030 Agenda and the Sustainable Development Goals. The forum brings together governments, UN agencies, and civil society to reflect on what is working, what is not, and what can be done better.
IAAP will have a presence at this year’s forum, continuing our efforts to bring psychological science into global conversations about sustainable development. Through both formal events and informal engagement, our goal remains the same: to build partnerships and to show how applied psychology can inform better decisions, stronger systems, and more equitable outcomes.
INTERNATIONAL CONGRESS OF APPLIED PSYCHOLOGY (ICAP)
Planning for the 2026 International Congress of Applied Psychology is well underway. The Congress will take place from 21 to 25 July 2026 in Florence, Italy, with the theme New Directions in Applied Psychology.
Whether you’re thinking about presenting, attending, or getting involved behind the scenes, now is a great time to follow along and start planning your participation. Visit icap2026.org to explore the theme, check submission guidelines, submit a proposal, and stay up to date.
You can also follow ICAP 2026 on social media for the latest updates:
ICAP Facebook
ICAP Instagram
ICAP LinkedIn
ADVANCED RESEARCH TRAINING SEMINAR (ARTS)
The Call for Team Members is open!
The Advanced Research Training Seminar (ARTS) is seeking dedicated students with a strong interest and background in research (Master’s level or higher preferred) to join our dynamic teams for ARTS 2026. This is a unique opportunity to collaborate on one of six innovative research projects supported by ARTS 2026. Full details on the six projects are available on our website.
If you’re eager to contribute to cutting-edge psychology research, we encourage you to consider participating. Click HERE for more information, including the online application link.
CALL FOR BIDS - ICAP 2034
We are now accepting bids to host a future International Congress of Applied Psychology (ICAP). Given the scope and scale of the Congress, the IAAP Board of Directors selects hosts far in advance. The call is now open for ICAP 2034.
Hosting ICAP is a unique opportunity for your institution and scientific community to be at the center of international dialogue and innovation in applied psychology.
Highlight your city and community by applying to be a future host of ICAP!
IAAP's SECOND QUARTERLY CROSSWORD PUZZLE
If you didn't have a chance to participate in the last crossword puzzle, don’t worry. A new edition is here! Take on the challenge by yourself, or as a team. Submit by June 27 for your chance to win a prize!
Access the puzzle and full submission details HERE.
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 June eNews is June 10.
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.