Dear ISTP Members,
I hope this mail finds you all well after the winter break; I hope it has been relaxing and inspiring, despite the complex world situation, and that you are all ready to welcome the spring, and soon to meet again at our biennial conference in June 2026 at the Pratt Institute in New York.
It is also time to prepare for the future of our society and its biannual conference, which we will discuss there. This message is thus to, first, call, for new members for the ISTP board, and second, to invite propositions to host our next conference.
- Call for nominations for new Members at large (including a postgraduate representative) and for a new President-Elect.
The current Executive Committee consists of:
- President, Tania Zittoun, Switzerland, Past President, Ernst Schraube, Denmark, and President-Elect, Kieran O’Doherty, Canada
- Secretary, Martin Dege, USA – since 2022,
- Treasurer, Niklas Chimirri, Denmark – since 2024
Eight Members at Large
- Alex Gillespie, UK since 2024
- Biljana Stanković, Serbia, since 2024
- Luca Tateo, Norway, since 2024
- Johanna Motzkau, UK, since 2024
- Basia Elis, USA, since 2022
- Floor van Alphen, Spain, since 2022
- Gordana Jovanovic, Serbia, since 2022
- Christopher Zieske, Student representative, USA, since 2022
Four Ex-Officio Members
Thomas Teo, Canada, Editor Theory & Psychology; Michael Arfken, Canada, Editor International Review of Theoretical Psychologies Friederike Windel, France, Communications Chair; Rachel Falmagne, USA, Honorary Member2026.
Please note:
- Members at large are elected for two-year terms, renewable once (with the possibility of a second renewal in some cases).
- The President-Elect and Members at large are elected by a majority vote of the members present at the Business Meeting.
As Basia Elis, USA, Floor van Alphen, Gordana Jovanovic and Christopher Zieske, Student representative, have completed their two terms, we are calling for nominations for the following positions:
- Four Members at large positions (including a postgraduate representative)
- President-Elect
The nominator must ensure that the person being nominated is an ISTP member and is willing to let their name stand. Alternation of genders in the position of President-Elect is desirable, as well as representation of different geographic areas, with possible alternation between the Global North and South. Below is a description of the duties and responsibilities of each position.
For nominations, please send a short biography or justification for the nomination (100 words maximum) to me (tania.zittoun@unine.ch) by March 15th 2026, clearly stating whether the nomination is for Member at Large, Student Rep, or President-Elect.
PS: Here is a description of the duties and responsibilities for each position
President-Elect:
- Be an active, voting member of the Executive Committee.
- Oversee the election of new Committee members and the stepping down of those who have completed their terms.
- Support the President in their activities in order to benefit from their experience.
- Chair the biennial Incoming Executive Committee Meeting at the Society’s conference.
Member at large:
- Represent the members’ interests in any decisions made by the Executive Committee.
- Support the organization of the biennial conference through reviewing submissions.
- Attend Executive Committee meetings and the biennial Business Meeting if possible.
- Serve on the Student Travel Awards Committee, the Sigmund Koch Award Committee, and ad hoc committees as needed.
- Encourage membership in the Society and distribute the call for papers for the biennial conference in their regions and through their professional networks.
Student Representative:
- Represent the interests of the student members of the Society in any decisions made by the Executive Committee.
- Support the organization of the biennial conference through reviewing submissions.
- Attend Executive Committee meetings and the biennial Business Meeting.
- Encourage membership in the Society and distribute the call for papers for the biennial conference in their regions and through their professional networks.
- Call for Proposals to Host the 2028 ISTP Conference
The ISTP Executive Committee invites proposals to host the 2028 ISTP conference. Conference hosting entails responsibility for local arrangements and the conference program, with the support of the ISTP Executive. The Society encourages proposals from all parts of the world where members reside.
Statements of interest are due April 6, 2026, and complete proposals are due August 1, 2026. Statements of interest should outline the facilities available, projected costs, and plans to seek external funding for keynote speakers and other conference activities. Complete proposals will provide detailed information on these matters.
Statements of interest will be discussed by the Executive Committee at their meeting in April 2026 and feedback will be provided to the proponents. Draft proposals will be discussed by the Executive Committee at their meeting during the 2026 conference in New York, and presented to the membership at the Business Meeting. Proponents are invited to make the presentation to the general membership. The Executive will consider the preferences of the members attending the Business Meeting in finalizing the decision.
Direct questions, statements of interest and complete proposals to Tania Zittoun, President, ISTP, tania.zittoun@unine.ch
I hope many of you will be interested by these activities,
With best wishes,
Tania Zittoun
ISTP President