The International Union of Psychological Science (IUPsyS) is dedicated to advancing the development, representation and application of psychology — both as a science and a profession — on national, regional and international levels. The principal activities through which the Union fulfils its mission include the following:
International Congresses of Psychology (ICP)
The Union sponsors the flagship International Congress of Psychology, held every four years under the auspices of the IUPsyS and organised by a national host committee in consultation with the IUPsyS Executive Committee. The 33rd Congress was held in Prague, Czech Republic (21–26 July 2024) and the 34th Congress is scheduled for Melbourne, Australia, 16–21 July 2028.
Click here for a complete list of the International Congresses of Psychology.
Publications and Knowledge Dissemination
The IUPsyS publishes and supports a range of scholarly outputs, including the International Journal of Psychology, a dedicated book series, the IUPsyS Newsletter, a monthly Bulletin, proceedings of the international congresses, the International Handbook of Psychological Science, and the History of the Union. By offering these publications, the Union seeks to disseminate high-quality psychological scholarship globally, support the growth of the discipline in under-resourced settings, and maintain a permanent archival record of our work.
Click here for further information on the IUPsyS’ Publications.
Regional Conferences of Psychology
In collaboration with other international and regional organisations, the Union organises and co-sponsors regional conferences of psychology with the aim of promoting the discipline and addressing regionally relevant psychological themes. These conferences have been held in various countries across Africa, Asia, the Middle East, the Caribbean and Europe. The inaugural event, the Asian-Pacific Regional Conference on Psychology, was held in Guangzhou, China, in 1995, with the support of the International Association of Applied Psychology and the International Association for Cross-Cultural Psychology
Capacity-Building Projects and Workshops
The IUPsyS undertakes and supports projects designed to foster the development of psychological science and professional practice internationally, particularly in low- and middle-income countries and among early-career psychologists. Examples include workshops on psychology education and training, bereavement research in the Caucasus region, disaster-response training in the Asia-Pacific and Central Asia, and peace-building initiatives in the Middle East. Associated with the international congresses and regional conferences, the Union supports capacity-building events and scholarships for psychologists from under-represented regions.
For further details see Capacity Building Workshops.
Psychological Resources and Information Services
The IUPsyS hosts Psychological Resources Around the World, a global online platform that provides policy-makers, teachers, students, practitioners and researchers with access to psychology-related information, resources and data.
International and Regional Networks
The Union develops and sustains networks to facilitate international and professional co-operation. These include national member organisations, regional groupings, affiliate societies and liaison relationships with inter-governmental and international non-governmental bodies.
Service to National Members and the Discipline
Through its publications, information dissemination, event programmes and the development of professional guidelines (education and training, ethics, research conduct and professional practice), the IUPsyS serves its National Members and the broader discipline of psychology. The Union also recognises outstanding contributions to the field via its Awards programme, thereby promoting excellence in psychological science and practice.
Archives and Historical Records
The IUPsyS provides access to its archives and documents, thereby preserving the institutional memory of the Union and the history of psychology as an international discipline.
Engagement with Major International Organisations
The Union participates in major international fora and organisations, including the International Council for Science (ICSU), the International Social Science Council (ISSC), UNESCO, the United Nations (UN) and the World Health Organization (WHO). These relationships enable psychology to contribute to global science, policy and health-related agendas.