India, Pakistan, Germany, Greece, Slovenia, Kenya, North Macedonia, Italy, Philippines, Trinidad and Tobago, and Israel), discussants from 10 countries (Spain, Iran, The Netherlands, Italy, Romania, USA, France, Poland, China and Portugal) and four discussants, plus a fantastic interview to the writer and researcher, Shige Oishi, conducted by our president, Prof. Lori Foster. Once again, the ECM has proved it has the capacity to congregate an audience from all the corners of the world, enhancing direct participation and involvement in scientific communication and the exchange of innovative ideas in the field of applied psychology. But how did the ECM come to life? This is a brief but necessary review of how the ECM was conceived after the COVID-19 pandemic, and how it has consolidated as one of the signs of identity of our association and its raison d'être.

Back in late 2020 and at the beginning of 2021, IAAP was very conscious of the fact that, during the pandemic, students and early career psychologists were the ones who, from an educational point of view, had been more affected. For around a year (depending on the country, more or less), students had all their lessons online; exchange programs and internships were cancelled, first opportunities for contributing to an academic event seemed further away. The world almost stopped during that time, but lives didn’t (and couldn’t). When the ECM was taking shape, many countries were under lockdowns or mobility restrictions, and nobody knew for how long that situation was going to last. Because of that, the ECM was thought as an excellent opportunity for these students and early career psychologists to be able to have their first experiences in the world of applied science, of congresses where scientific knowledge is shared, where the latest breakthroughs and advances are presented.

Hitherto, the schedule of all congresses was based on where the event took place. However, as the ECM was going to be hold online, which was the most appropriate schedule to follow? From what country? IAAP is an international association, with members from across the globe. The solution was clear; the ECM would be a 24-hour event, giving equal opportunity to everyone to assist and participate. Once the how and when was solved, the most important question still remained: Who was going to be the target public for this new activity? Students and early career psychologists.

So that was how the idea finally took its final shape. The Early Career Marathon was constituted as a 24-hour online event for students and early career psychologists to present their work, research, thesis or ideas in applied psychology to a worldwide audience. But that was not all. One of the many strengths of IAAP is that it is comprised by some of the best psychologists in the different areas of our discipline in the world. In addition, IAAP is greatly culturally diverse. These two questions had to be included in the equation: On the one hand, we had students and early career psychologists willing to present their works. On the other, we (and, specifically, they) would have these brilliant psychologists giving feedback to these works.

That is something truly unique. Indeed, in what other place or association could students and early career psychologists get feedback from consolidated professionals in their fields, without leaving home? Not only that, but the cross-cultural perspective that IAAP diversity could bring to this feedback was unparalleled. In addition, the event was going to be open to all IAAP members, with no charge. Every IAAP member would have the chance to learn about what people were researching and applying in different parts of the world, listening to the feedback provided by great professionals, and from their houses, have the chance to participate in live debates and discussions. Last, but not least, it was considered that participation should also be rewarded. Thus, it was decided that the best presentations will be given special awards in recognition to their great effort. Also, all participants get an official participation certificate which would be useful in their first steps in the professional world. That was how the Early Career Marathon was born.

So far, the ECM has been celebrated four times, in 2021, 2022, 2023 and 2025. And we expect to have many more editions ahead. We believe that students and early career psychologists are one of the best assets IAAP has, being full of enthusiasm and fresh ideas for the future. The ECM will be an event for students and early career psychologists organised by students and early careers. However, as it was explained, they are not alone. For the success of the ECM is vital the contribution from all the experienced psychologists who are part of the different IAAP divisions. They also constitute a key aspect of this event, being the ones with the capacity for leading and inspiring the new generations of applied psychologists. We are sure that IAAP divisions will continue collaborating with the ECM, helping in looking for discussants and keynote speakers for the event. Experience is always a grade, and it is fantastic to see it provided to those who are starting in this adventure called applied psychology.

Before finishing this brief article, I feel the obligation to acknowledge those who trusted on this project and made it possible. Thanks to our Past-President, Christine Roland-Lévy, to our former Secretary-General and current President-Elect, Pedro Neves and to our former Secretary-General, Luminița Pătraș for their tireless work and their confidence in this project. And also, Thanks to our current President, Lori Foster, for all her support and enthusiasm with the Early Career Marathon since the very first moment of his mandate. I also wanted to express my biggest gratitude to Division 15 and its very active members (with an especial mention to its president, Marija Davcheva), who have been fundamental in the organisation and development of the ECM. Last, but not least, thanks to all participants, discussants, keynote speakers and division presidents for having made possible these four ECM, and all that are yet to come!