Celebrating the Success of the Early Career Marathon

As president of Division 15 Students and Early career psychologists with great pleasure I can announce that we celebrated another successful edition of our biggest project in the division, The Early Career Marathon! As an inspiring online event organized by Division 15 for Division 15, the ECM has once again has left a lasting impact on its participants. This virtual gathering with a duration of 24 hours brought together IAAP members including early-career researchers, students, and professionals from across the globe, fostering a unique environment of learning, collaboration, and applied psychology research. Through insightful discussions, interactive sessions, and groundbreaking ideas, the event once more served as a catalyst for personal and professional growth.

One of the most remarkable aspects of the Early Career Marathon was the spirit of collaboration that defined it. The event was led by a diverse group of psychology students and early career psychologists who worked tirelessly across time zones to create an engaging and enriching experience. Together with senior experts, professors of psychology who provided feedback on the research presentations and engaged in fruitful discussions we shared a vision of supportive community where international applied psychology can advance and prosper.
Throughout the event, we attended amazing key notes and research presentations and discussions from IAAP members from 32 different countries, all designed to bridge the gap between academic knowledge and practical application and were a valuable space to practice various professional competencies. The focus on applied psychology made this marathon particularly valuable, as participants explored how psychological theories can be translated into real-world solutions through applied research studies.

Beyond academic knowledge, the Early Career Marathon was a space for personal and professional development. It was my pleasure to moderate the roundtable session where different topics of great value for early career researchers were discussed. I would like to thank Jennifer Namutebi, Kerry-aman Kaur Fishe, Tia Kleiner, Ana Kraljevic, Jaime Martín Fernández and Rayna Sadia for their participation and experiences shared providing a wide international perspective on these important topics. This session encouraged self-reflection, critical thinking and the participants shared experiences about navigating the challenges of early career stages, discussing topics such as mental health, career development opportunities, leadership and professional development.
The inclusivity of the event was another key highlight. By bringing together voices from different cultural, academic, and professional backgrounds, it reinforced the idea that psychology is a discipline that thrives on diverse perspectives. Every participant contributed to a greater understanding of how psychology can adapt to different societal and global needs to solve specific challenges.

A heartfelt thank you goes out to the dedicated organizers for their leadership and support, our ECM chair Pedro Altungy, President Lori Foster, Scientific committee members Past-President, Christine Roland-Lévy, to our former Secretary-General and current President-Elect, Pedro Neves and to our former Secretary-General, Luminița Pătraș, as well as the IAAP operations center for making the logistics possible. Thank you to my wonderful Division 15 members (Jennifer Namutebi, Gabriel L. Medianero Araúz, Erin Dowling Kerry-aman Kaur Fishe, Tia Kleiner, Ana Kraljevic, Jaime Martín Fernández and Rayna Sadia) who volunteered to moderate the sessions. Thank you to the inspiring speakers, and engaged attendees who made this event possible. Their passion and commitment turned the Early Career Marathon into more than just an online conference—it became a community of support and inspiration for aspiring psychologists.
This event would not have been possible without the collaborative efforts of international students and early career psychologists who, despite geographical distances, worked together seamlessly. Their dedication to fostering an environment of learning, curiosity, and shared growth truly reflects the spirit of psychology as a field that connects and uplifts individuals and communities.

As we celebrate the success of this event, we also look toward the future with excitement. The Early Career Marathon has paved the way for continued collaboration and innovation, proving that early-career psychologists have the potential to shape the future of psychological research and practice.
This is just the beginning. With more initiatives like this, the next generation of applied psychologists will continue to push boundaries, challenge norms, and contribute meaningfully to society. The momentum from this marathon will carry forward, leading to more opportunities for engagement, learning, and impact.
Here’s to the next chapter of growth and discovery!