Building a Unified, Relevant, and Responsive Psychology
Time to recharge! Please note that the PsySSA Office will be taking a short break to recharge. The Office will be closed from 27 April and will reopen on 4 May 2026. Wishing all our members a restful and rejuvenating long weekend.
We are delighted to inform you that registration for the PsySSA 30th Annual Psychology Congress 2026 is now open!
The future of psychology is unfolding – and PsySSA invites you to be part of it. Join us at the PsySSA 30th Annual Psychology Congress 2026, taking place from 13-15 October 2026 at Emperors Palace, Johannesburg.
Why you should register now:
This year’s theme, “Psychology in Transition: Humanity, Technology and the Future of Care,” brings together bold ideas, critical conversations, and forward-thinking perspectives at a time when the discipline is rapidly evolving.
As technology reshapes how we live, connect, and care, psychology stands at a pivotal crossroads. This Congress will explore how we can harness innovation while staying grounded in ethics, inclusion, and human dignity.
Register now and be part of shaping the future of care.
Pre-Booking Registration Deadline: 30 April 2026.
Please note that registration operates on a register-and-pay basis.
Got research but not sure how to take it beyond the classroom? This dynamic three-part series is designed to help psychology students turn academic work into confident congress participation. Whether you’re preparing for the PsySSA Congress or another academic conference, the series walks you step-by-step through the journey from writing your first abstract to presenting with confidence in professional spaces.
Across the workshops, students will learn how to craft strong abstracts, navigate submission systems, and understand what happens after acceptance. The series then focuses on turning your abstract into a compelling poster or presentation, followed by practical strategies for presenting with confidence and managing nerves. Supportive, practical, and student-centred, this series aims to demystify congress participation and empower emerging scholars to share their ideas in ways that are impactful, ethical, and authentically their own.
Online | Live | Free
Workshop Details
Thinking about submitting to the PsySSA Congress – or another academic conference but -unsure where to start? This workshop breaks down abstract writing into clear, manageable steps. Students will learn how to turn coursework, proposals, or mini-theses into compelling congress abstracts that are clear, concise, and aligned with submission requirements.
The session covers what makes a strong abstract, how to stay within word limits, and common mistakes to avoid. Participants will also gain practical guidance on choosing presentation formats, navigating submission platforms, and understanding ethical requirements. By the end, students will leave with the clarity and confidence needed to take that first step into academic knowledge-sharing.
Workshop Details
So your abstract was accepted – now what? This combined workshop supports students in moving from accepted abstract to confident conference presentation. Whether preparing for the PsySSA Congress or another academic event, the session bridges both the technical and personal aspects of presenting research.
Participants will explore how to transform written work into engaging presentations, learning how to structure content clearly, design visually effective materials, and communicate ideas in accessible and ethical ways. The workshop also focuses on the experience of presenting – including managing nerves, speaking with confidence, staying within time limits, and navigating questions and academic dialogue.
With a supportive and practical approach, this workshop helps students bring their research to life while building the confidence and skills needed to share their work authentically in professional psychology spaces.
Workshop Details
You’ve presented your research – now how do you take the next step and publish it? This workshop introduces students to the process of turning conference presentations into publishable academic work. Designed for early-career researchers and postgraduate students, the session demystifies academic publishing and supports participants in building confidence to share their work beyond the conference space.
Participants will gain an overview of how to identify suitable journals, adapt presentations into manuscripts, and understand the expectations of academic writing and peer review. The workshop also explores practical strategies for structuring articles, responding to reviewers, and navigating common challenges such as rejection and revision. With a focus on clarity, integrity, and scholarly voice, the session encourages students to view publication as an achievable and meaningful part of their research journey.
We are excited to announce the 2026 PsySSA CPD Workshop Series, “A Dozen Plus One” carefully curated, practitioner-centred sessions designed to offer practical, evidence-informed tools that support and strengthen your professional work. Earn up to 21 General and 5 Ethics CPD Points.
Registration opens 14 January 2026 – details to follow soon. Watch this space!
See the Workshop Schedule below and prepare your calendars for 2026:
Stay Connected. Stay Involved. Stay Informed.
By joining or renewing your membership, you align yourself with a national community committed to excellence, transformation, and the advancement of psychological science and practice. Membership provides access to core resources, professional networks, and sector developments already shaping the year ahead.
1. Collective Expertise Across 15 Divisions
Engage with specialist knowledge, collaboration forums, and professional networks across the full breadth of psychology in South Africa.
2. Knowledge Sharing and CPD Access
Benefit from PsySSA’s in-house CPD hub, PsyCPD, including a growing calendar of workshops, webinars, and learning opportunities aligned with evolving national needs.
3. Access to Key Scholarly Resources
Stay connected to research through the South African Journal of Psychology (SAJP) and the African Journal of Psychological Assessment (AJOPA).
4. 12-Part CPD Workshop Series
A structured series of workshops running across the year. Full details will be announced shortly.
5. 2026 Congress – Call for Abstracts
The call will open soon. Members receive early notification and reduced rates.
6. Expanded Professional Development Pathways
Structured support for early-career practitioners, including the Board Exam Preparatory Workshop and the Career Compass Series.
7. Partnership Benefits
Discounted access to BWRT® courses, CBT and DBT workshops, and new collaboration tours planned for 2026.
These initiatives show that the year is not starting — it is already underway.
Membership keeps you connected to the developments, conversations, and collaborations shaping the future of psychology in South Africa and the broader region.
Join us for a year already in motion, and help shape what comes next.