Mission Statement: The IPPA Work and Organizations Division’s mission is to serve as a bridge between research and practice and facilitate collaboration to increase the incorporation of positive psychology in academic research related to organizations and the practice of positive psychology in the organizational context, thereby positively transforming the way the world works.

Who Should Join?

The IPPA Work and Organizations Division is a forum for academics, researchers, practitioners, and anyone interested in studying and applying positive psychological concepts in organizational settings, including those relatively new to positive psychology, are encouraged to join.

  • Scholars and practitioners engaged in industrial/organizational psychology, organizational behavior, organizational development, leadership development, and change
  • Managers
  • Human Resources professionals
  • Executive coaches

What Does the Division Do?

The division provides researchers and practitioners a forum to discuss and collaborate in the development and application of positive psychology principles aimed to improve individual, team and organizational well-being and performance across various contexts and cultures.

Recently, the Division hosted a panel on Lawyer Wellbeing, which you can watch here. In June, the Division will host a discussion on Appreciative Inquiry, which you can register for here.

The Work and Organization Division’s vision and goals are described in this inaugural charter. The charter, which was ratified in 2015, informs the division’s work.

Current offerings include:

  • Regular virtual “meet-ups” where members discuss a specific topic of interest
  • Quarterly “Digests and Dialogues” Series featuring brief research digests, expert interviews, and recorded discussions between a researcher and practitioner
  • A Positive Organizational Intervention Design program that helps members pitch and develop a research-based intervention for the workplace
  • A curated publication featuring research and practice briefs
  • Access to a member directory and discussions in the online members’ community, IPPA Engage
  • Access to online library with more than 200 videos, slides decks and presentations
  • Exemplary Research to Practice Award

How Do I Join?

Membership in the division is free and open to any current IPPA member at the Member, Associate and Student level. Affiliates may sign up to receive news updates from the Division, but may not participate in Division activities. If you currently have an active IPPA membership and meet the above criteria, you can join the Division by logging into your member profile. Click “Custom” then click the drop down arrow under “Work and Organizations Division” on the right side of the page and click “Yes.” Last, click “Update” at the bottom of the page. To join IPPA visit our membership page.

Background

Following a meeting at the Third World Congress on Positive Psychology in Los Angeles, June 2013, a group of dedicated volunteers formed a launch committee and worked with IPPA Leadership to draft an initial vision and charter for the IPPA Work & Organizations Division. In May 2014, Division members elected their inaugural President, President-Elect, and Secretary. The division activities are now in full swing.