This year, APA’s 2025 annual convention took place in Denver, Colorado, bringing together researchers, practitioners, and students to share community and innovative work in adult development and aging.
Skill building convention session.
The Division 20 program included multiple symposia, skill-building sessions, award addresses, and poster sessions, cosponsored across APA divisions to highlight the rich interdisciplinary nature of aging research and practice.
Colleagues and mentees at the Molinary symposium.
Programming for Division 20 was well attended and featured interactive and engaging offerings. Highlights included a skill building session on “Reducing Ageism by Increasing Psychologists’ Knowledge of Mental Health in Older Adulthood,” as well as “The Conduct of Technology-Behavioral Interventions with Older Adult Populations,” which brought together experts on the integration of behavioral science and technology in aging.
We were also pleased to feature symposia addressing timely and critical issues, such as:
- Hopes, Fears, and Futures: Possible Selves in Deathcare, Chronic Illness, and Midlife
- Recognizing and Validating Relationship Diversity in Older Sexual Minorities (cosponsored with Division 44)
- Differential Pathways to Healthy Aging Across Diverse Groups of Older Adults (cosponsored with Division 45)
A highlight of this year’s program was the Baltes Distinguished Research Achievement Award Lecture, delivered by Manfred Diehl, PhD. His invited address underscored the enduring importance of awareness of age-related change (AARC) in understanding adult development and aging.
Diehl Batles lecture on adult development and aging.
Another centerpiece was the symposium honoring Victor Molinari, PhD, ABPP’s legacy. Molinari, a leader in clinical geropsychology and long-term care research, has been instrumental in shaping training, practice, and advocacy for older adults, particularly those in vulnerable care settings. The session, “Innovation in Geropsychology and Long-Term Care Settings: Honoring Dr. Victor Molinari’s Legacy,” brought together colleagues and mentees to reflect on his profound influence on the field. Presenters highlighted his pioneering work on mental health services in nursing homes, his commitment to mentoring the next generation of geropsychologists, and his advocacy for advancing quality of care for older adults. The discussion not only celebrated his contributions but also charted future directions inspired by his vision and leadership.
Our two Division 20 Poster Sessions and additional cosponsored poster events showcased a wide range of new findings from established and emerging scholars in adult development and aging.
We were especially excited to bring the community together for networking and celebration. Division 20 and Division 12.2 hosted the Museum with Mentors event at Meow Wolf Denver, a creative space for mentor-mentee engagement, as well as our social hour, cosponsored with CONA, where colleagues connected over food, conversation, and recognition of contributions to the field.
Networking event “Museum with Mentors”.
We extend our thanks to the presenters, sponsors, and attendees who helped make the 2025 program a success. Planning is already underway for 2026, and we look forward to another stimulating program as we gather in Washington, D.C. next August 6-8.
All the best,
Gloria and Nelson
Division 20 convention program co-chairs, 2025