SPSSI Conferences
Research as Seed, Teaching as Root, Action as Bloom:
Foundations for a Just Future
As communities worldwide navigate an era of unprecedented challenges, SPSSI invites submissions from scholars, educators, activists, and practitioners whose work addresses pressing social justice issues for its annual conference, “Research as Seed, Teaching as Root, Action as Bloom: Foundations for a Just Future.” This year’s conference will be held in Portland, Oregon–the City of Roses–a symbol of the potential, beauty, and challenges that accompany progress and change. As Portland and communities across the globe work to address social, economic, and environmental challenges, we must ask ourselves how to create and maintain healthy, just futures: What must be replanted? What needs to take deeper root? What strong roots need better conditions to fully bloom? What protections must we cultivate to defend our growth?
This year’s theme centers on growing vibrant, healthy, and flourishing communities, highlighting essential stages of transformative work: planting seeds through research, cultivating strong, deep roots in classrooms and communities, and fostering actions that bloom into lasting impact. Yet, for growth and blooms to truly flourish, hard-won progress toward justice must also be protected. Just as a rose’s thorns defend its growth, we need strategies that nurture and safeguard against threats. Collectively, through policy, education, grassroots activism, and scholarship, our work can cultivate a thriving future for all.
In this spirit, we invite submissions that address a wide range of crucial topics, including, but not limited to, racial and economic justice, health and well-being, political polarization, educational equity, healthcare access, gender equality, LGBTQ+ rights, climate change and environmental justice, immigration, and human rights. As we navigate long-standing issues with fresh relevance, and confront new challenges, we welcome submissions that not only seek to inform but also to transform. Join us as we envision and develop strategies for a flourishing future amidst and beyond the uncertainties of today.
2025 Kurt Lewin Award Winner Announced!
Join Dr. Abby Stewart for the 2025 Kurt Lewin Address in Portland, Oregon.
The Kurt Lewin Award, given by the Society for the Psychological Study of Social Issues, recognizes “outstanding contributions to the development and integration of psychological research and social action.”
The 2025 Kurt Lewin Award winner is Dr. Abigail (Abby) Stewart, Sandra Schwartz Tangri Distinguished University Professor Emerita of Psychology and Women's and Gender Studies at the University of Michigan. Dr. Stewart will deliver the 2025 Kurt Lewin Address at the SPSSI Summer Conference in Portland, OR!
Read Dr. Stewart's bio.
Learn more about our programs today, open to various students, early career scholars, and international scholars. SPSSI travel funds may be used to cover all conference-related expenses including conference registration, economy transportation, lodging, and approved meal expenses. All travel grants are awarded following the conference only in the form of post-expense reimbursement upon submission of all receipts, and expense form completion. Exclusions: Applicants are able to submit to more than one program. However, no more than one type of travel grant will be given to an individual. The application deadline for all travel funding grants is March 15, 2025.
.png)
Hilton Portland Downtown
921 SW Sixth Avenue
Portland, OR 97204, US
(Map)
SPSSI’s Room Block is now open! We have a limited number of rooms available at a discounted group rate of $189 for non-students and a student rate of $159. Our room block always fills up, so be sure to book early! Please note, rooms are subject to availability. Questions about reservations? Contact spssicon@spssi.org.
Early Bird Registration ends May 15th!
In an ongoing effort to meet the economic needs of our many constituencies, SPSSI is pleased to continue a special category of rates for the 2025 Summer Conference. SPSSI's Regional rates apply to conference attendees residing in the Caribbean, Latin America, Asia, Africa, and Oceania. Across all rates, further reductions or hardship requests will be considered on a case-by-case basis.
2025 Conference Co-Chairs
|
| |
|
|
|
|
| |
|
|
|
SPSSI 2025 Conference Co-Chair
Tessa L. Dover
Portland State University
More
|
|
SPSSI 2025 Conference Co-Chair
Giselle Laiduc
Santa Clara University
More
|
Past SPSSI Conferences:
- 2024: Frontiers of Justice: Using Psychological Science to Reinvigorate Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion
- 2023:Transforming Our World: Using Research and Action to Address (In)Visible Wounds
- 2022: Reenergizing Ourselves and Our Communities: Connections Across Borders and Barriers (Revitalizándonos y Nuestras Comunidades: Conexiones a través de Fronteras y Barreras)
- 2021: Changing the System: Social Research and Action to Reshape the World We Live In
- 2020: "Making the Invisible Visible: Transformative Research and Social Action"
- 2019: "Fighting injustice: The power of research, policy, and activism in challenging times"
- 2018: "Bridges to Justice: Building Coalitions and Collaborations Within and Beyond Psychology"
- 2017: “Entre los individuos, como entre las naciones, el respeto al derecho ajeno es la paz” (Among individuals, as among nations, respect for the rights of others is peace)
- 2016: Giving psychology away: Sharing research through teaching, interdisciplinary collaboration, and public engagement
- 2015: A Road Less Traveled: Forging Links Between Psychological Science and Social Policy
- 2014: Social Action and Change: Opportunities, Resistance, Inertia, and Mobilization
- 2012: Changing Societies: Learning From & For Research, Social Action & Policy
- 2010: From Individuals to Nation States: What Motivates, Sustains...
- 2008: Disparities Across the Globe: Place, Race, Class, Ethnicity & Gender
- 2006: Social Justice: Research, Action, and Policy
- 2004: From Desegregation to Diversity
- 2002: Understanding and Addressing Disparities: International Approaches
- 2000: Social issues for the 21st Century: Setting the Agenda
SPSSI presents special programming each year at the APA Convention as well. Find more information here.
|
.png){kind=small}
