Division 15 invites submissions for the annual APA convention, to be held August 8-10 in Seattle. Division proposals are due no later than January 10, 2024 at 5:00 p.m. Eastern Standard Time.
The Presidential Theme for Division 15 is First, do no harm! Rehumanizing Educational Psychology in order to do Good. This theme acknowledges the long history of educational psychology thriving as a field based on the knowledge gained from communities, often underserved ones, without the obligation to give back or replenish these communities. To endeavor not to do harm as we engage with communities is a low bar toward which to strive; instead, this theme aims to bring awareness to the unintentional harm research in educational psychology may have caused and to be intentional about doing good. Rehumanizing directs us to reverse the damage done and to consider how our work can ascribe to a person (participant) the individuality and complexity characteristic of being human. This invites us to consider the sociohistorical and cultural contexts in which persons (participants) are situated; reconceptualize what we mean by vulnerable – who is at risk? who benefits?; and, relinquish ownership of the experiences to the participants and communities. We must ask ourselves how can we protect the communities with whom we work? honor their voices? replenish what we have taken?
Proposals may address any aspect of educational psychology, including but not limited to research questions and research paradigms, academic and applied professional roles, our role in policy, the training of educational psychologists, and the cultural-political context of educational psychology. Proposals that align with the division’s Presidential Theme, center questions rather than answers, discussion rather than lectures, and involve undergraduate researchers, are particularly encouraged.
APA and Division 15 members and non-members are invited to submit their work for presentation in the Division 15 Program for the APA Convention.
Submissions may fall under the following formats:
- Individual Presentations: These submissions should reflect a single project, study, or paper with one or more authors. All individual presentations will be submitted as posters into the system. Once the conference platform is finalized, we will work to allocate accepted proposals into appropriate formats that are still to be determined (e.g., structured poster sessions, paper sessions). Student-led posters at both undergraduate and graduate levels are welcome.
- Symposia 2.0: (50 or 110 minutes): Symposia 2.0 are focused sessions in which multiple speakers present information related to a unifying topic that is viewed to be a significant common theme, issue, or question. The presentations generally include a review of data but may also include discussions of contrasting viewpoints or other innovative strategies for engaging the audience. The Symposia 2.0 session format should include an introduction to the topic by an expert, someone who can set context and offer background for why the session topic is important. This can be the chairperson. Speakers then give their presentations, which are followed by an exchange of ideas and discussion between the audience and speakers.
- Critical Conversations: (50 minutes) Proposals for critical conversations (formerly called Discussions) should include 1 or more brief presentations designed to provide the information needed for the audience to effectively participate in the discussion. The session should include a chair who will moderate the discussion and ensure that the bulk of the time is spent in conversation with the audience.
All proposals must be submitted through APA’s convention proposal portal at https://convention.apa.org/proposals. We strongly encourage authors to refer to the updated (2023) APA Style Journal Article Reporting Standards when addressing race, ethnicity, and culture as they prepare their submissions.
Please note, presenting authors listed will be contacted to review at least one proposal.
Those with questions about proposal formats or who have novel ideas about presentation formats should contact Division 15 Program Co-Chairs, Kat Cheng ([email protected]) and Mike Yough ([email protected]).