2023 SRCD Supported Pre-Conferences

Organizing Committee:

• Daniel Messinger, University of Miami  
• Batya Elbaum, University of Miami  

Time: 8:00 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. 
Location: Salt Palace Convention Center - Room TBD 
Spaces Available: 50 
Registration Fees: $45.00 (Student/Early Career/LMIC) / $75.00 (Professional) 

A new generation of research is using advances in technology to understand children’s experiences in the preschool classroom.  Technologies to track movement and identify speech from audio recordings is shedding new light on preschooler’s social experiences and language development. Interdisciplinary researchers from four universities will provide an overview of recent methods and findings from research utilizing these technologies. This pre-conference will (a) present replicated and emerging results from multiple lines of research; (b) provide information on how new technologies can be deployed in classrooms and community; (c) provide practical data management strategies and address measurement reliability and validity; (d) demonstrate hands-on (optional) tracking of pre-conference participants and speakers; and (e) discuss implications for addressing the needs of children with diverse strengths and developmental challenges.

This pre-conference will feature optional position tracking of participants to demonstrate social dynamics. The organizers will coordinate set-up for position tracking from 7:30 - 8:30 a.m.

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Invited presenters include (listed in alphabetical order by last name):

• Batya Elbaum, Professor, University of Miami
• Tiffany Foster, Postdoctoral Associate, Ohio State University
• Hugo Gonzalez Villasanti, Assistant Professor, University of Michigan
• Dwight Irvin, Associate Professor, University of Florida
• Laura Justice, Professor, Ohio State University
• Daniel Messinger, Professor, University of Miami
• Logan Pelfrey, Ph.D. Candidate
• Lynn Perry, Associate Professor, University of Miami

Organizing Committee:

• Meeta Banerjee, University of South Carolina
• Joanna Williams, Rutgers University
• Laronnda Thompson, University of Pennsylvania
• Shauna Cooper, UNC-Chapel Hill
• Dena Phillips Swanson, UNC-Greensboro
• Michael Cunningham, Tulane University
• Kimberly Applewhite Teitter, Utah Center for Evidence-based Treatment
• Andrea Busby, Brigham Young University
• Janelle Billingsley, University of Maryland, Baltimore County
• Keaina Mayfield, University of Maryland

Time: 8:30 a.m. – 5:30 p.m.
Location: Salt Palace Convention Center - Room TBD 
Spaces Available: 125 
Registration Fees: $55.00 (Student/Early Career/LMIC) / $175.00 (Professional) 

The SRCD Black Caucus has been dedicated to promoting rigorous, culturally grounded research on Black children and families around the globe and to the development of scientists of African descent who study child development since its founding 50 years ago. At this pre-conference, “Centering Joy: Celebrating 50 Years of the Black Caucus,” we will address critical questions regarding the production of high-quality science centering Black children, youth, and families. We will highlight the journey and achievements of the Black Caucus from 1973 to 2023, spotlight innovative work of current scholars, and identify needs and opportunities to advance good science and support future scientists. We will also focus on wellness during career transitions and offer opportunities for attendees to build connections.

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Organizing Committee:

• Jennifer M. Zosh (Committee Chair), Penn State University, Brandywine Campus
• Aya Shigeto (Committee Chair-elect), Nova Southeastern University
• Brenna Hassinger-Das (Committee Member), Pace University

Time: 8:30 a.m. – 5:15 p.m.
Location: Salt Palace Convention Center - Room TBD 
Spaces Available: 125 
Registration Fees: $35.00 (Student/Early Career/LMIC) / $110.00 (Professional) 

The SRCD Developmental Science Teaching Institute is designed for teachers of developmental science courses at all levels who wish to develop strategies for engaging students, explore new ideas, update their knowledge base, and share perspectives with like-minded professionals. Encompassing topics that are relevant to beginning and advanced teachers of developmental science alike, the Institute provides sessions of general interest on cutting-edge teaching practices, a variety of breakout sessions, a poster session, and opportunities for interaction in order to share ideas among participants. The Institute’s diverse presentation formats allow for informal exchange and enable participants to select an agenda that meets their professional development needs. This is an all-day experience that takes place the day before the SRCD Biennial Meeting.

Read the Call for Submissions below. The deadline to submit an abstract for the 2023 Developmental Science Teaching Institute is has passed. Note: Presenting is not required to attend the TI. Registration is open to everyone.

call for submissions

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The Institute will include:

• Sessions of general interest on cutting-edge teaching practices
• A variety of breakout sessions
• A poster session
• Opportunities for interaction, collaboration, and networking

Generously funded by the Society for the Teaching of Psychology:

Organizing Committee:

• Matteo Giletta, Ghent University (Belgium)
• Naomi Andrews, Brock University (Canada)
• Josafá Moreira da Cunha, Universidade Federal do Paraná (Brazil)

Time: 8:30 a.m. – 5:00 p.m
Location: Salt Palace Convention Center - Room TBD 
Spaces Available: 80
Registration Fees: $25.00 (Student/Early Career/LMIC) / $65.00 (Professional) 

The Peer Relations Pre-Conference brings together international scholars across disciplines to discuss and advance scientific knowledge and research in the field of peer relations from childhood through adolescence. The pre-conference will focus on synthesizing current knowledge on peer relationships, foster collaborations and data sharing, feature discussions regarding urgent societal issues, and highlight the importance of peer relations research for intervention and policy efforts.

The program includes plenary talks, multiple breakout sessions, and working groups, as well as opportunities for networking throughout the day.

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Invited presenters include (listed in alphabetical order by last name):

• Molly Dawes, Assistant Professor, University of South Carolina
• Leslie Echols, Associate Professor, Missouri State University
• Laura Hanish, Professor, Arizona State University
• Jennifer Lansford, Research Professor, Duke University
• Alexa Martin-Storey, Assistant Professor, Concordia University
• Michael Medina, Assistant Professor, Wheelock College
• Diana Meter, Assistant Professor, Utah State University
• Astrid Poorthuis, Assistant Professor, Utrecht University
• Mitch Prinstein, Professor, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
• Eunjin Seo, The University of Texas at Austin
• Wendy Troop Gordon, Professor, Auburn University

Organizing Committee:

• Seth Pollak, University of Wisconsin-Madison
• José Causadias, Arizona State University
• Sheree Toth, University of Rochester
• Suniya Luthar, Authentic Connections Group

Time: 8:30 a.m. – 6:30 p.m.
Location: Salt Palace Convention Center - Room 151G
Spaces Available: [SOLD OUT]
Registration Fees: $45.00 (Student/Early Career/LMIC) / $110.00 (Professional) 
Registration rates include continental breakfast and lunch.

This pre-conference is going to mark the 40th anniversary of the Special Issue of the journal Child Development that introduced the idea of “developmental psychopathology” to the field. The event will also honor the lifetime career contributions of Dante Cicchetti, who edited that special issue.

The program includes plenary talks, discussion sessions, flash talks, as well as opportunities for networking throughout the day. Early career scholars will be seated with the invited presenters for informal discussions during lunch.

The Jacobs Foundation will be sponsoring Travel Awards for scholars coming from developing economies as well as early career scholars traveling from outside of North America. The awards will cover the cost of this pre-conference registration and help offset (but not fully cover) the cost of travel to Salt Lake City, Utah, USA. 

Click here to apply for this special award:  https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/RLLB97H

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Invited Speakers (Listed in Order of Presentation):

• Seth Pollak, Vaughan Bascom Distinguished Professor, University of Wisconsin-Madison
• Sarah Mangelsdorf, President, University of Rochester
• Kathleen Thomas, Director, Institute of Child Development, University of Minnesota
• J. Lawrence Aber, Willner Family Professor of Psychology and Public Policy, New York University
• Megan R. Gunnar, Regent’s Professor of Child Development, University of Minnesota
• Theodore P. Beauchaine, William K. Warren Foundation Professor of Psychology, University of Notre Dame
• Jay Belsky, Professor Emeritus of Human Development, University of California, Davis
• Margaret Beale Spencer, Charles F. Grey, Distinguished Service Professor, University of Chicago
• Ann S. Masten, Regents Professor of Child Development, University of Minnesota
• Cynthia García Coll, Emerita Professor, Brown University and University of Puerto Rico
• Sheree L. Toth, Professor of Psychology and Psychiatry and Director, Mt. Hope Family Center, University of Rochester
• Liz Handley, Director of Research, Mt. Hope Family Center, Research Associate Professor, University of Rochester
• Patrick Davies, Professor of Psychology, University of Rochester
• Jungmeen Kim-Spoon, Professor of Psychology, Virginia Tech, Director at Child Study Center, Director, JK Lifespan Development Lab
• Michael Lynch, Professor of Psychology at SUNY Geneseo
• Melissa Sturge-Apple, Professor of Psychology, University of Rochester
• Assaf Oshri, Associate Professor, Human Development and Family Sciences, University of Georgia
• Kate Cerulli, Professor of Psychiatry at University of Rochester Medical Center, Director, Susan B. Anthony Center
• José M. Causadias, Associate Professor, Arizona State University
• Elisabeth Conradt, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Duke University
• Luke W. Hyde, Professor of Psychology, University of Michigan
• Jamie Hanson, Assistant Professor, University of Pittsburgh
• Kristin Valentino, Director, William J. Shaw Center for Children and Families, Professor of Psychology, University of Notre Dame
• Doug Barnett, Professor of Psychology, Wayne State University
• Fanita Tyrell, Assistant Professor, University of Maryland, College Park
• Marjorie Beeghly, Professor of Psychology, Developmental Science Area Chair, Wayne State University
• Natalie A. Cort, Associate Professor, Clinical Psychology, Director, Black Mental Health Graduate Academy, Co-Director, Center for Multicultural and Global Mental Health, William James College
• Jessica E. Salvatore, Associate Professor, Department of Psychiatry, Director, Genes, Environments and Neurodevelopment in Addictions (GENA) Robert Wood Johnson Medical Center, Rutgers University
• Angela Narayan, Associate Professor, Department of Psychology, College of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences, University of Denver
• Michelle Brown, Assistant Professor, Department of Psychology, College of Arts & Sciences, University of South Carolina
• Dante Cicchetti, McKnight Presidential Chair Institute of Child Development, University of Minnesota Editor, Development and Psychopathology

Organizing Committee:

• Sarah L. Pierotti, Pennsylvania State University - DuBois
• Mary B. Eberly Lewis, Oakland University
• Su Jiang, Texas A&M University

Time: 1:00 p.m. – 5:30 p.m.
Location: Salt Palace Convention Center - Room TBD
Spaces Available: 60
Registration Fees: $50.00 (Student/Early Career/LMIC) / $75.00 (Professional) 

For years, the Moral Development Pre-Conference has served as an important space for researchers and theorists in the areas of moral development and prosocial behavior to gather and exchange ideas.

The landscapes in which moral development occurs are many, and the recognition of those varied contexts offers new directions and innovations for research. The social and societal upheaval across the world in a (hopefully) post-pandemic and internet-dependent era prompts a need to examine the ways in which children’s and adolescents’ moral understandings remain consistent, as well as how and what has changed. This pre-conference will focus on the impact of these many and varied moral landscapes.

Given the rapid change in political climate across the world (e.g., ideological wars in the U.S. and the Russian invasion of Ukraine), understanding children’s moral development during these critical political events has become vital.

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Invited Speakers (Listed in Order of Presentation):

• Laura Elenbaas, Purdue University
• Tracy Spinrad, Arizona State University

Organizing Committee:

• Anna Gassman-Pines, Duke University
• Sara Vecchiotti, Foundation for Child Development
• Leslie Babinksi, Duke University
• R. Gabriela Barajas-Gonzalez, New York University
• Sheniqua Jeffrey, Fordham University
• Michael MacKenzie, McGill University
• Amy Marks, Suffolk University

Time: 4:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m.
Location: Salt Palace Convention Center - Room TBD
Spaces Available: 100
Registration Fees: $45

In states across the U.S. and in countries around the world, policymakers have passed or are considering legislation to restrict topics that educators are allowed to discuss in their classrooms, including racism and gender identity. At the same time, many communities are becoming more diverse and equitably teaching all children – including those from ethnically/racially minoritized groups, multi-lingual learners, immigrant youth, and those with different gender identities – is a pressing need as educators seek guidance about how to teach and support the development of all children in their classrooms. The goal of this preconference is to provide research evidence and guidance on how to build ethnically, racially, linguistically, socio-culturally responsive and inclusive classrooms. The preconference will present cutting-edge research on the science of equitable and inclusive teaching and opportunities to discuss the implications of those research findings for both classroom practice and for policy.

Keynote presentations by:

• Stephanie Curenton, Boston University
• Frosso Motti-Stefanidi, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Greece
• Iliana Reyes, Academic Affairs and Community and Global Partnerships/University of Arizona
• Christia Spears Brown, University of Kentucky
• Michelle Love-Day, Director of Language and Culture Services, Jordan School District