Psychology Conferences: The 10 Best for 2026

Psychology conferences are where you hear about new research before it shows up in journals, compare approaches with people doing similar work, and pick up tools you can put to use right away. Quality varies a lot between conferences though, so picking the right ones matters.

We’ve rounded up the 10 best psychology conferences for 2026. Several changed cities this year, and one notable swap on the list: the IPPA World Congress is biennial and skips 2026, so we’ve included the European Conference on Positive Psychology in its place.

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The 10 best psychology conferences for 2026

1. International Conference on Developmental Psychology and Adolescence (ICDPA)

Dates: March 9-10, 2026

Location: Miami, USA

Website: ICDPA conference page

WASET runs this conference in multiple cities throughout the year. The Miami edition covers developmental psychology and adolescence research, with presentations from academic researchers sharing findings and methodologies. If the March dates don’t work, WASET schedules similar editions in other cities during 2026.

2. International Conference on Psychological and Behavioral Sciences (ICPABS)

Dates: March 16-17, 2026

Location: New York, USA

Website: ICPABS conference page

An interdisciplinary conference for researchers and practitioners working across psychological and behavioral sciences. The New York edition runs March 16-17. WASET also holds editions in Melbourne, Istanbul, Prague, and Dubai throughout the year.

3. International Conference on Psychiatry and Psychology (ICPP)

Dates: March 16-17, 2026

Location: New York, USA

Website: ICPP conference page

Same March 16-17 dates and New York location as ICPABS above. The ICPP focuses on the intersection of psychiatry and psychology, so you could attend sessions at both if the topics align. WASET runs this one in other cities as well. If psychiatry is more your focus, we have a separate list of the best psychiatry conferences.

4. Asian Conference on Psychology & Behavioral Sciences (ACP2026)

Dates: March 22-27, 2026

Location: Tokyo International Forum and Toshi Center Hotel, Tokyo, Japan

Website: ACP2026

Now in its 16th year, the ACP is organized by IAFOR in partnership with the IAFOR Research Centre at Osaka University. It’s co-located with the Asian Conference on Aging & Gerontology and the Asian Conference on Education & International Development, which makes the cross-disciplinary networking broader than the name suggests. Online participation is available. The abstract submission deadline passed in December 2025, but registration remains open.

5. International Conference on Applied Psychology and Behavioral Sciences (ICAPBS)

Dates: April 20-21, 2026

Location: Boston, USA

Website: ICAPBS conference page

WASET’s applied psychology offering. The Boston edition runs April 20-21. Like the other WASET conferences on this list, you’ll find editions in Istanbul, London, New York, and Paris at different points during the year.

6. SIOP Annual Conference (Society for Industrial and Organizational Psychology)

Dates: April 29 – May 2, 2026

Location: Ernest N. Morial Convention Center, New Orleans, Louisiana

Website: SIOP 2026

The 41st Annual SIOP Conference moves from Denver to New Orleans for 2026. Expect 10+ workshops, 400+ sessions, and 600+ poster presentations. For anyone working in I/O psychology, this is the annual gathering that pulls the whole community together. Registration is open.

7. Society of Pediatric Psychology Annual Conference (SPPAC)

Dates: April 30 – May 2, 2026

Location: Caesars Palace, Las Vegas, Nevada

Website: SPPAC 2026

SPPAC 2026 carries the theme “Inquire, Inspire, Ignite.” All programming is in-person only this year. Early bird pricing: $495 for full members, $220 for students, $720 for non-members. The hotel block at Caesars closes April 6, so book travel early. Plenary speakers include Dr. Felicity Enders and Dr. Yalda T. Uhls.

The conference moved from Phoenix to Las Vegas for 2026. If you work at the intersection of psychology and pediatrics, also see our list of pediatric conferences.

8. APS Annual Convention (Association for Psychological Science)

Dates: May 28-30, 2026

Location: Barcelona, Spain

Website: APS 2026

This is the big change for 2026. APS moves from Washington, DC to Barcelona, making it an international edition for the first time in recent memory. The convention features six Integrative Science Symposia, a new Industry Day, and AI-focused programming threaded throughout the schedule. APS President Jamie Pennebaker presides.

Barcelona changes the logistics compared to a typical domestic convention. Budget for international travel and book accommodations early.

9. European Conference on Positive Psychology (ECPP 2026)

Dates: July 1-4, 2026

Location: The Convention Centre Dublin, Dublin, Ireland

Website: ECPP 2026

The IPPA World Congress runs in odd years (the 9th was in Brisbane in July 2025, and the 10th is expected in 2027). In even years, the European Conference on Positive Psychology fills that slot. The 12th ECPP takes place in Dublin under the theme “Body Meets Mind: Positive Psychology and Health for Everyone,” organized by the European Network for Positive Psychology.

For positive psychology researchers and practitioners, ECPP is the 2026 event to have on your calendar.

10. APA Annual Convention (American Psychological Association)

Dates: August 6-8, 2026

Location: Washington, DC, USA (+ virtual option)

Website: APA 2026

The APA Annual Convention returns to Washington, DC after Denver in 2025. Both in-person and virtual attendance options are available. Registration opens April 22, 2026.

If you attend one psychology conference all year, this is the safe pick. The APA convention covers every specialty area and draws one of the largest audiences in the field.

For more tools to support your practice, see our guides to the best apps for mental health professionals and the best therapy notes software.

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