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 | |
| Secretary | TBC | 2023 |
| Awards Lead | Dr Maggie Zhao | 2023 |
| Communications Lead | TBC | 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 | Associate 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.