Enhancing APS Conventions: A Vision for Future Engagement

The recent APS convention in Barcelona has sparked a comprehensive re-evaluation and strategic planning process for future gatherings, with a strong focus on enhancing member engagement and scientific discourse. The APS President, drawing from feedback received, is committed to transforming upcoming conventions into more dynamic and valuable experiences. The blueprint for the 2027 Seattle convention includes fostering broader research discussions through innovative symposium formats, addressing controversial scientific topics head-on, expanding professional development opportunities, and exploring collaborative scientific report generation. This forward-looking approach aims to solidify the conventions as essential platforms for advancing psychological science and fostering a vibrant professional community.

APS President Unveils Strategic Enhancements for Future Conventions, Starting with Seattle 2027

Following the successful international convention in Barcelona in 2026, the President of the Association for Psychological Science (APS) has articulated a vision for revitalizing future annual gatherings. This initiative, inspired by direct feedback from members, aims to make the APS conventions indispensable events for the global psychological community, with the next annual convention scheduled for May 27–29, 2027, in Seattle.

A cornerstone of this renewed vision is the expansion of research conversations. Building on the success of the Integrative Science Symposia (ISS) introduced in Barcelona, these multidisciplinary sessions will continue to be a prominent feature in Seattle. The ISS format encourages diverse psychological domains and behavioral sciences to converge on complex scientific questions, fostering a holistic understanding and exposing attendees to varied methodological approaches and interpretations of findings. The President hopes these discussions will bridge existing disciplinary gaps and address shared challenges, such as the reliance on non-diverse convenience samples.

Furthermore, the APS intends to embrace open discussion of controversial topics and present findings from major replication efforts or team science studies. This initiative, epitomized by the President's upcoming symposium, “Beyond the Panic: What the Evidence Says About Social Media and Well-Being,” seeks to push scientific boundaries and identify actionable next steps. The goal is to evolve these discussions into more enduring outcomes for the membership, such as published summaries, working groups, or ongoing initiatives that extend beyond the convention dates.

The enduring popularity of methodological workshops will see their continuation and potential expansion in 2027. Recognizing the evolving career paths of many members, the success of Barcelona's inaugural Industry Day will pave the way for an enhanced focus on non-academic and academic-adjacent careers at the Seattle convention, leveraging the city's robust industry and tech landscape. Future workshops may explore topics like research center leadership, offering practical skills and networking opportunities for a broader professional spectrum.

Professional development is another key area of enhancement. Plans include introducing activities akin to “Lunch With the Leaders,” providing intimate, informal settings for scholars at different career stages—students, early-career, and mid-to-late-career professionals—to engage directly with leaders in the field, fostering mentorship and knowledge exchange.

Finally, discussions are underway within the APS Board and with journal editors to explore using conventions as a platform to collectively address a single, significant topic in psychological science. This would involve dedicated symposium programming, followed by collaborative efforts to outline a consensus scientific report. Such a report would summarize current knowledge, identify gaps, and propose future research directions, ultimately contributing a valuable document to both the scientific community and the general public through existing APS journals.

The APS leadership invites all members to actively participate in shaping these initiatives, encouraging feedback through comments or direct communication, to ensure the 2027 Seattle convention truly reflects the aspirations and needs of its diverse membership.

The strategic enhancements outlined for future APS conventions signify a pivotal shift towards more interactive, relevant, and impactful gatherings. By prioritizing integrative discussions, fostering open scientific debate, diversifying career development support, and promoting collaborative knowledge creation, the APS is poised to cultivate a more dynamic and engaging environment for its members. These initiatives promise to not only advance psychological science but also to strengthen the professional community, ensuring that each convention offers tangible value and inspires continued participation.