SESP
Toronto, Site of SESP 2019
Seattle, WA, Site of SESP 2018
South Boston Seaport, site of SESP 2017
Santa Barbara, CA, Site of SESP 2021
Philadelphia, PA, host of SESP 2022
Santa Fe, New Mexico, Site of SESP 2024
Santa Monica, Site of 2016 SESP
Montreal
Site of SESP 2026
Annual Conference
SESP 20026 will be in Montreal, Canada, from October 1-3, 2026. Look for registration materials in Spring 2026!
Scientific Awards
SESP honors the contributions of scientists from the dissertation to later career stages.
Publications
Check out SESP supported journals (members get free on-line access)
Executive Committee
The governing board of SESP includes 9-12 elected board members, each serving three-year terms.
Membership
Information on our members and the application process for membership are available here
Member Login
FABBS
SESP is a member and financial supporter of the
Federation of Associations in Behavioral and Brain Sciences
, a "coalition of scientific societies that share an interest in advancing the sciences of mind, brain, and behavior."
SESP was one of the 8 initial organizations that met in Chicago to found FABBS on December 7, 1980.
As a member of FABBS, we participate in advocacy, education, publication, and communication efforts on behalf of scientific social psychology.
Society of Experimental Social Psychology
The Society of Experimental Social Psychology (SESP) is an international scientific organization dedicated to the advancement of social psychological research. Our members typically have Ph.D.s in social psychology or related fields and hold academic positions or positions in applied settings.
SESP’s mission is to provide opportunities for direct and personal scientific exchange and collaboration among social and personality psychological scientists through its annual meeting. We invite all faculty and principal investigators (PIs) to join SESP at their earliest eligibility and attend our annual meeting. SESP aims to support faculty at all stages of development, beginning with the transition to a faculty position (e.g., among “future” members) and continuing across all subsequent career stages.
SESP prioritizes principles of inclusion, diversity, and equity. Membership in the society is available to all social psychologists (post-5 yrs Ph.D.) regardless of their background (e.g., race, ethnicity, gender identity, sexual preference, language, culture, nationality, religion, or physical ability). SESP values diversity and actively seeks to increase the inclusion of individuals from underrepresented and historically excluded groups. SESP aims to ensure equity by maintaining fair and transparent procedures and providing equal opportunities for all to engage with their colleagues.
SESP holds a scientific meeting in the early fall of each year, publishes the journal
Social Psychological and Personality Science
and contributes to advocacy efforts as a member of FABBS (the Federation of Associations in Behavioral and Brain Sciences). SESP was founded in 1965 by a group of social psychologists led by Edwin Hollander and W. Edgar Vinacke, as described in
Hollander (1968)
. SESP currently has over 1000 elected members.
SESP Executive Committee
SESP is run by an appointed Executive Officer and a member-elected board of 9. The EO serves a four-year term, and each Committee Member serves a 3-year term, with 3 individuals elected yearly.
Executive Officer
Steve Stroessner
Executive Committee Members/Terms:
Michael Bernstein
, (2024-2026; 2026 President),
Penn State Abington
Lara Aknin
, (2024-2026),
Simon Fraser University
Maureen Craig
, (2024-2026),
Duke University
Kate Ratliff
, (2025-2027; 2026 Vice President, 2027 President),
University of Florida
Ashley Martin
, (2025-2027),
Stanford University
Kyle Ratner
, (2025-2027),
University of California, Santa Barbara
Terri Vescio
(2026-2028; 2027 Vice President, 2028 President),
Pennsylvania State University
Allison Earl
, (2026-2028),
University of Michigan
Yuthika Girme
, (2026-2028),
Simon Fraser University
Abigail Scholer
(Past President),
University of Virginia
Event Calendar
View all events >
Consider supporting SESP
As a 501(c)(3) organization, all contributions to SESP (both cash and stock) are tax deductible to the degree allowed by law. Please contact the Executive Officer at
info@sesp.org
for additional information.