Existential Psychology SPSP Preconference

February 20, 2025 — Denver, CO, USA

The science of existential psychology focuses on core issues of “being” and “becoming,” such as: freedom, authenticity, and moral responsibility; awareness of mortality; culture, self, and identity; isolation, uncertainty, and shared reality; and the quest for meaning and purpose in life. The Existential Psychology Preconference showcases theoretical and empirical advances in this emerging area, bringing together researchers at all levels in an environment of collaboration and lively intellectual exchange.

The theme of our 7th consecutive Existential Psychology SPSP Preconference is “Isolation, uncertainty, and shared reality.” A Keynote Address will consider the existential sides of uncertainty and shared reality, and a Special Address will highlight research on uncertainty and social connection. A series of Featured Research Talks will present research findings further exploring isolation, uncertainty, and shared reality and their dynamic relation to social cognition, affect, and behavior. A poster session and two data blitz sessions will cover these and a wide range of other existential psychological topics. The event will include an award ceremony and a networking event.

The event is organized by the International Society for the Science of Existential Psychology (ISSEP) and will be hosted by the Society for Personality and Social Psychology (SPSP) in Denver, Colorado, USA on Thursday February 20, 2025.

Below, you will find information about our programming schedule, registration, planning your trip, submitting your abstract, available awards/funding, our sponsors, and organizer contact information. Be sure to JOIN ISSEP to become eligible for the conference awards!

Event Schedule, Presenters, & Topics

Early Bird registration opens on October 10, 2024 and ends on January 16, 2025, at 11:59 PM PT.

Regular registration will close on February 5, 2025.

Onsite registration will not be available.

Visit the SPSP Annual Convention site for information about the venue, official housing block, roommate match-up program, airfare discounts, and things to do in Denver.

We invite anyone to submit abstracts for posters and data blitz presentations.

• Data Blitz session: A Data Blitz session will feature two series of three brief (4 minutes max) research talks. Come share a snapshot of your fascinating findings!

• Poster presentations: A poster session will showcase the science of existential psychology’s wide range of research topics, methods, and applications. Come show your latest work!

We invite submissions from undergraduates, graduate students, and seasoned researchers alike. Submissions may deal with any existential psychological topics, and are not required to touch on this year’s preconference theme of “Isolation, uncertainty, and shared reality.”

Abstracts can be submitted through the online submission portal (below) between September 5 through October 17. Initial selection notifications will be distributed between Nov 1 to Dec 1; further selections may be announced later.

We are excited to offer a slate of sponsored conference awards to recognize innovative new research and support the attendance and inclusion of diverse students and professional researchers interested in the science of existential psychology.

HOW TO APPLY: To apply, submit your abstract(s) for a poster and/or data blitz and indicate your eligibility for one or more of the following awards on the submission form.

1. ISSEP Innovation in Existential Psychology Research Award

• Award amount: $250.00

• Number of awards: Up to 1 (one) award available.

• Sponsor: International Society for the Science of Existential Psychology

• Eligibility: (1) Must be an active ISSEP member at time of submission/review of abstracts; (2) must be an author on submitted abstract for poster, data blitz, or other presentation.

• Criteria: Innovation in XP research involves applying an existential lens to research a topic that has thus far received minimal attention in XP; developing a compelling new theoretical perspective in XP; and/or developing research methods that offer fresh insights into existential psychological processes.

2. ISSEP Graduate Student Diversity Conference Award

• Award amount: $75.00

• Number of awards: Up to 1 (one) award available.

• Sponsor: International Society for the Science of Existential Psychology

• Eligibility: (1) Must be a graduate student; (2) must be an active ISSEP member at time of submission/review of abstracts; (3) must be an author on submitted abstract for poster, data blitz, or other presentation.

• Criteria: Preference will be given to members of under-represented groups, to promote inclusion and cultivate contributions from individuals across a broad range of ages, developmental and acquired disabilities, religious perspectives, races and ethnicities, socioeconomic status, sexual orientations, indigenous heritages, national origins, and sex/genders.

3. ISSEP Undergraduate Student Diversity Conference Award

• Award amount: $75.00

• Number of awards: Up to 1 (one) award available.

• Sponsor: International Society for the Science of Existential Psychology

• Eligibility: (1) Must be an undergraduate student; (2) must be an active ISSEP member at time of submission/review of abstracts; (3) must be an author on submitted abstract for poster, data blitz, or other presentation.

• Criteria: Preference will be given to members of under-represented groups, to promote inclusion and cultivate contributions from individuals across a broad range of ages, developmental and acquired disabilities, religious perspectives, races and ethnicities, socioeconomic status, sexual orientations, indigenous heritages, national origins, and sex/genders.

4. ISSEP Graduate Student Conference Award

• Award amount: $75.00

• Number of awards: Up to 1 (one) award available.

• Sponsor: International Society for the Science of Existential Psychology

• Eligibility: (1) Must be a graduate student; (2) must be an active ISSEP member at time of submission/review of abstracts; (3) must be an author on submitted abstract for poster, data blitz, or other presentation.

5. ISSEP Undergraduate Student Conference Award

• Award amount: $75.00

• Number of awards: Up to 1 (one) award available.

• Sponsor: International Society for the Science of Existential Psychology

• Eligibility: (1) Must be an undergraduate student; (2) must be an active ISSEP member at time of submission/review of abstracts; (3) must be an author on submitted abstract for poster, data blitz, or other presentation.

6. Cleveland State University Diversity in Existential Psychology Conference Awards

• Award amount: $75.00

• Number of awards: Up to 2 (two) awards available.

• Sponsor: Cleveland State University

• Eligibility: Preference will be given to members of under-represented groups, to promote inclusion and cultivate contributions from individuals across a broad range of age, developmental and acquired disabilities, minority religious perspectives, races and ethnicities, socioeconomic status, sexual orientations, indigenous heritages, national origins, and sex/genders.

7. Worth Publishers – Macmillan Learning Student Conference Awards

• Award amount: $75.00

• Number of awards: Up to 4 (four) awards available.

• Sponsor: Worth Publishers/Macmillan Learning

• Eligibility: Must be either an undergraduate or graduate student; preference given to graduate students who submit a presentation.

We are proud to announce the sponsors of this year’s Existential Psychology SPSP Preconference:

Kenneth Vail

Cleveland State University
k.e.vail@csuohio.edu

Past Conference Programs & Flyers