The International Positive Psychology Association is in the process of developing a new professional division focused on the topic of positive education. IPPAEd is a member-initiated special interest group that bridges research and practice, convenes diverse cultural and multidisciplinary perspectives, and provides a platform for members to connect and collaborate on efforts that advance our mission.

Mission Statement

The Division will bridge research and practice related to the application of positive psychology in formal and informal educational settings, and facilitate collaboration with members from around the world. The Division will support activities related to curriculum, pedagogy, administration, support services, and education systems, with the goal of supporting the well-being, character, and resilience of students, staff and educational communities.


IPPA Education Division Office Bearers 2021-2023

Office Name Terms of Office End as Noted
Education Division President

(Ex Officio Advisor to the Board of Directors)

 Dr Maggie Zhao

Teaching and Learning Evaluation and Measurement Unit, The University of Hong Kong

 2023
Education Division President-Elect Dr Rosalinda Ballesteros Valdés Instituto de Ciencias de la Felicidad, Universidad Tecmienio 2023-2025
Immediate Education Division Past-President Associate Professor Mathew White

School of Education, The University of Adelaide

 2023
Founding Chair Associate Professor Peggy Kern Melbourne Graduate School of Education The University of Melbourne
Awards Lead Dr Maggie Zhao 2023
Communications Lead Associate Professor Grace Xia Zhao

Music Department, College of Arts and Sciences, University of La Verne

 2023
European Conference Pre-conference Leads Dr Mette Marie Ledertoug (Chair) Dr Åse Fagerlund, Dr Shiri Lavy, & Associate Professor Mathew White 2022
Publications Lead Professor Michael Wehmeyer Department of Special Education, University of Kansas 2023
Regional Representatives Lead Professor Sylvia Kwok Department of Applied Social Studies, City University of Hong Kong 2023
Research-Practice Lead Prof. Dr. Ulrike Lichtinger

Katholische Universität

Eichstätt-Ingolstadt, Germany

 2023
World Congress Lead Dr Maggie Zhao 2023

 

 

 

 

Ways to Get Involved:

I. Join the division to receive updates.

Division membership is open to any IPPA member. To join the division, simply update your member profile. Log in to your IPPA profile. Click “Custom” then click the drop down arrow under “Education Division” on the right side of the page and click “Yes.” Last, click “Update” at the bottom of the page.

II. Volunteer to help with special projects.

Click here to learn about current volunteer opportunities with the IPPAEd division.

To ask a question, learn more or volunteer for a leadership role, please email: edudiv@ippanetwork.org.

III. Review the Division Charter

Dr. Margaret Kern developed the initial charter with consultation from Carmelo Vazquez, Dianne Vella Brodrick, Angela Duckworth, Ilona Boniwell, Martin Seligman, Hans Henrik Knoop, and Herb Marsh.

If you have a question, please email: edudiv@ippanetwork.org.