This year, APA’s 2022 annual convention took place in Minneapolis, Minnesota and marked our long-awaited return to an in-person convention. The Division 20 program included 11 symposia/skill building sessions, two hours of poster presentations that included in-person and virtual poster sessions, and an award presentation from Dr. Toni Antonucci, the recipient of the 2021 Baltes Distinguished Research Achievement Award.
With the return to an in-person experience this year, the programming for Division 20 was well attended and reflected innovative findings in the field of adult and development and aging, providing more opportunities for engagement through skill building sessions and interactive symposia. Highlights of the 2022 program included a Skill Building session onCultivating Humility and Addressing Critical Social Issues in Practice with Older Adults. This year also showcased symposia focused on the Division 20 presidential priorities of age integration and inclusivity, including Advancing Age Inclusivity: Insights from the Age-Friendly Inventory and Campus Climate Survey (ICCS) and Reframing Aging: A Way Forward to Challenge Ageism and Improve Attitudes about Aging. Further, we recognized Division 20’s 75th Anniversary:Looking Back and Looking Forward, where our current and past Division 20 presidents shared insights from the past and a look to the future for Division 20. There was also a co-sponsored Cognitive Symposium that highlighted emerging research from representatives from Division 20 and Division 3 (Experimental Psychology).
With the return to an in-person conference, we were also able to celebrate together during the co-sponsored Social for the Ages, that brought together members of Division 20, Division 12 (Society of Clinical Geropsychology), the Committee on Aging (CONA), the Council of Professional Geropsychology Training Programs, and the APA Aging Portfolio. Being back together in-person to share food, drinks, and fellowship was a highlight of the convention. We are incredibly grateful to all the aging organizations that came together to make this event possible; we want to thank the University of Minnesota Center for Healthy Aging and Innovation and the Lasell University Rosemary B. Fuss Center for Research on Aging and Intergenerational Studies for their generous sponsorship of the Social for the Ages.
As we prepare for the 2023 Division 20 program, we anticipate that the call for proposals will be available in late October or early November. Thanks to the division membership for your support and attendance at the 2022 APA Annual Convention, whether in-person or through virtual engagement. We look forward to delivering a stimulating and interesting program again in 2023 as we gather in Washington, D.C.