ISTP Biennial Conferences

The first ISTP conference was held in Plymouth, UK, in 1985. Here is an overview of all ISTP conferences, including location, conference theme, and publications.

Belgrade Conference 2024

University of Belgrade, Serbia | May 20–24, 2024

Chairs: Tania Zittoun, Biljana Stanković, & Tijana Nikitović

Theory as Engagement

Engaged theorising has a long history, however it seems as timely and needed today as ever, particularly in psychology. It asserts that theorising is not held aside from or even in opposition to the real world – it is because we hold the world and people, their complexity, institutions, cultures, and power seriously that we need to theorise. Theorising is inclusive, it requires dedication and time, and it is always a dialogical endeavour. The beauty of theorising is that it transcends national, historical, social, and linguistic barriers while simultaneously serving as a tool for their critical examination, provided that it is respectful, honest, transparent, dialogical, and reflexive. Theory done in an engaged way creates a shift in thinking and practice that can direct social and personal transformation.

Conference Program

Sacramento Conference 2022

California State University, Sacramento, USA | May 27–28 and June 3–4, 2022

Chair: Basia Ellis

Building Community: Theoretical Psychology in the Service of Social Issues

Ellis, B. D., Cresswell, J., Jovanović, G., & Morrissey, M. B. (Eds.). (2023). Building community: Theoretical psychology in the service of social issues. International Review of Theoretical Psychologies, 2 (1).

Copenhagen Conference 2019

Danish School of Education, Aarhus University, Copenhagen, Denmark | August 19–23, 2019

Chair: Ditte Winther-Lindqvist

Measured Lives: Theoretical Psychology in an Era of Acceleration

Winther-Lindqvist, D., Andrés Haye, A., Kousholt, D., Murakami, K., Nissen, M., & Tau, R. (Eds.). (2021). Measured lives: Theoretical psychology in an era of acceleration. International Review of Theoretical Psychologies, 1 (1).

Tokyo Conference 2017

Rikkyo University, Tokyo, Japan | August 21–25, 2017

Chair: Tetsuya Kono

The Ethos of Theorizing

Murakami, K., Cresswell, J., Kono, T., & Zittoun, T. (Eds.). (2019). The ethos of theorizing. Captus University Publications.

Coventry Conference 2015

Coventry University, UK | June 25–30, 2015

Chair: Gavin Brent Sullivan

Resistance and Renewal

Sullivan, G. B., Cresswell, J., Ellis, B., Morgan, M., & Schraube, E. (Eds.). (2017). Resistance and Renewal in Theoretical Psychology. Captus University Publications.

Santiago Conference 2013

Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile and Universidad Alberto Hurtado, Santiago, Chile | May 3–7, 2013

Chairs: Antonia Larrain & Andres Haye

Dialogue and Debate in the Making of Theoretical Psychology

Cresswell, J., Haye, A., Larrain, A., Morgan, M., & Sullivan, G. (Eds.). (2015). Dialogue and debate in the making of theoretical psychology. Captus University Publications.

Thessaloniki Conference 2011

Aristotle University Thessaloniki, Greece | June 27–July 1, 2011

Chair: Athanasios Marvakis

Doing Psychology Under New Conditions

Marvakis, A., Motzkau, J., Painter, D., Ruto-Korir, R., Sullivan, G., Triliva, S., & Wieser, M. (Eds.). (2013). Doing psychology under new conditions. Captus University Publications.

Nanjing Conference 2009

University of Nanjing, China | May 15–19, 2009

Chair: Ye Haosheng

“East”, “West”, “South”, “North”: Challenges and Transformations in Theoretical Psychology

Stenner, P., Cromby, J., Motzkau, J., Yen, J., & Haosheng, Y. (Eds.). (2011). Theoretical psychology: Global transformations and challenges. Captus University Publications.

Toronto Conference 2007

York University, Toronto, Canada | June 18–22, 2007

Chair: Thomas Teo

Theoretical Psychology Beyond Boarders: Transcisciplinarity and Internationalization

Teo, T., Stenner, P., Rutherford, A., Park, E., & Baerveldt, C. (Eds.). (2009). Varieties of theoretical psychology: International philosophical and practical concerns. Captus University Publications.

Cape Town Conference 2005

University of Cape Town, South Africa | June 20–24, 2005

Chair: Vasi van Deventer

Citizen City: Between Constructing Agent and Constructed Agency

Van Deventer, V., Tere Blanche, M., Fourie, E., & Segalo, P. (Eds.). (2007). Citizen city: Between constructing agent and constructed agency. Captus University Publications.

Istanbul Conference 2003

Boğaziçi University, Istanbul, Turkey | June 22–27, 2003

Chair: Aydan Gülerce

Contemporary Theorizing in Psychology: Global Perspectives

Gulerce, A., Hofmeister, A., Staeuble, I., Saunders, G., & Kaye, J. (Eds.). (2005). Contemporary theorizing in psychology: Global perspectives. Captus University Publications.

Calgary Conference 2001

University of Calgary, Canada | June 3–8, 2001

Chairs: Hank Stam & Lorraine Radtke

Theoretical Psychology: Critical Contributions

Stephenson, N., Radtke, H.L., Jorna, R., & Stam, H.J. (Eds.). (2003). Theoretical psychology: Critical contributions. Captus University Publications.

Sydney Conference 1999

University of Western Sydney, Australia | April 25–28, 1999

Chair: Valerie Walkerdine

Theoretical Issues in Psychology

Morss, J.R., Stephenson, N., & van Rappard, H. (Eds.). (2001). Theoretical issues in psychology. Kluwer.

Berlin Conference 1997

Free University Berlin, Germany | April 27–May 2, 1997

Chairs: Wolfgang Maiers, Dimitris Papadopoulos, & Ernst Schraube

Challenges to Theoretical Psychology

Maiers, W., Bayer, B., Esgalhado, B.D., Jorna, R., & Schraube, E. (Eds.). (1999). Challenges to theoretical psychology. Captus University Publications.