ISSEP - Existential Psychology

Research Grants — International Society for the Science of Existential Psychology Each year, ISSEP will fund a set of research grants (up to $3,000 per project) — inexpensive but well-designed and well-powered studies that have the potential to contribute to the literature and a la...

Call for Research Grant proposals! Due Nov 15.
Multiple funded in 5 tracks: General; Cross-Cultural; International; Interdisciplinary; Ernest Becker.
Funds research on the dynamics of being and becoming in social and mental life.
More info: www.issep.org/research-gra...

Annual Awards — International Society for the Science of Existential Psychology Each year, ISSEP funds the Early and Distinguished Career Contribution Awards ($1000 each), Best Paper Award ($500), and Outstanding Student Award ($500)

Call for Annual Award Nominations! Due Nov 15.
• Distinguished Career ($1,000)
• Early Career ($1,000)
• Outstanding Student ($500)
• Best Paper ($500) in 5 tracks: General; Cross-cultural; International; Interdisciplinary; Ernest Becker.
More info: www.issep.org/annual-awards

Narrative Identity is Existentialist — International Society for the Science of Existential Psychology By Dan P. McAdams

Dan McAdams considers how identity involves conscious experience of choice, impacting the way we craft and re-craft our selves. Identity is a story (the "true novel") written with fear and trembling and sometimes with generativity and redemption.
www.issep.org/features/nar...

4 days left for submissions! Existential Psychology 2026 SPSP Preconference: Submit by Oct 23, Register by Feb 13!
Theme: Meaning & Purpose. Keynote by Mike Steger, Special by Tim Golden; 12 Invited Talks, Data Blitz & Posters, awards, funding!
www.issep.org/conference

The 4th World Congress of Existential Therapy will be in Denver/Aurora, Colorado, June 3-6, 2026. Call for Papers, open to December 1, 2025. Largest gathering of existential therapists in the world, every 3-4 years; this is the 1st in the USA. Visit wcet4.com

Tessa van der Willigen on Autonomy — International Society for the Science of Existential Psychology Tessa van der Willigen’s work advances our understanding of the experience of autonomy.

Tessa van der Willigen was the Chief of Staff to 2 of IMF’s Managing Directors. Now, she works on existential psychology, and spoke with us about the difference between ontological and phenomenological autonomy. Also, advice, Shakespeare, & Kae Tempest.
www.issep.org/spotlights/w...

Annual Awards — International Society for the Science of Existential Psychology Each year, ISSEP funds the Early and Distinguished Career Contribution Awards ($1000 each), Best Paper Award ($500), and Outstanding Student Award ($500)

Due Nov 15: Nominate yourself/others for our...
• Distinguished Career Award ($1000).
• Early Career Award ($1000).
• Outstanding Student Award ($500).
• Best Paper Award ($500), one each in five categories.
www.issep.org/annual-awards

Research Grants — International Society for the Science of Existential Psychology Each year, ISSEP will fund a set of research grants (up to $3,000 per project) — inexpensive but well-designed and well-powered studies that have the potential to contribute to the literature and a la...

Due Nov 15: Apply for a research grant (up to $3,000 per project). Multiple funded in each of 4 tracks: General; Cross-Cultural; International; Interdisciplinary.
www.issep.org/research-gra...

Ernest Becker Honors — International Society for the Science of Existential Psychology

Due Nov 15: Applications for the Ernest Becker Honors. Up to $3,500 per research grant, $500 for best paper award, addressing ideas of Ernest Becker via the science of existential psychology. See site for details.
www.issep.org/ernest-becke...

Conference — International Society for the Science of Existential Psychology At the Existential Psychology SPSP Preconference, both eminent and rising scholars present their work in a stimulating variety of formats, including a keynote address, a special address, a series of r...

Existential Psychology 2026 SPSP Preconference: Submit by Oct 23, Register by Feb 13!
Speaker theme: Meaning & Purpose. Keynote by Mike Steger, Special by Tim Golden; 12 Invited Talks, 2 Data Blitz sessions, Poster session, award ceremony, award funding!
www.issep.org/conference

Flourishing amid suffering — International Society for the Science of Existential Psychology By Daryl R. Van Tongeren

Meaning/purpose can be tough to find amid a world with indifference, pain, and suffering.
Daryl Van Tongeren discusses how existential psych research studies motivated meaning; the "existential trade-offs" of religious faith; and the path to growth from suffering.
www.issep.org/features/flo...

Stylianos Syropoulos on legacy motivations — International Society for the Science of Existential Psychology Stylianos Syropolous’s research studies impact-oriented and reputation-focused intergenerational concerns in legacy motivations.

Legacy... How do you want to leave your mark? Do you want to positively impact people, in some way? Or become famous so they remember you and your name?
Stylianos Syropoulos studies legacy motivations & shared about the data, popular culture, and gave advice.
www.issep.org/spotlights/s...

Do we really know if adversity makes us stronger? — International Society for the Science of Existential Psychology By Eranda Jayawickreme

Eranda Jayawickreme argues posttraumatic growth is often reported, but might not be genuine. Alternative explanations include self-enhancement, active coping, expectancy violations, cultural scripts. What do we know for sure? Here are three data-based patterns...
www.issep.org/features/doe...

Sheila Umemoto on soldiers, resilience, and suicide — International Society for the Science of Existential Psychology Sheila Umemoto’s research explores resilience against suicide, especially among soldiers.

Sheila Umemoto studies how civilian and active-duty military handle existential insecurity and its effect on substance use vs. abuse, belonging, and suicide risk. She shared about the research, her life experience, art/culture, music, and offered advice.
www.issep.org/spotlights/u...

Shuffling Deck Chairs on the Titanic — International Society for the Science of Existential Psychology By Ross Rogers

Ross Rogers noticed we sometimes feel "bored to death" and busyness seems to cure the existential dread. His experiments suggest managing our existential concerns requires living up to our cultural values, which often means taking action. Get busy living!
www.issep.org/features/shu...

Katarzyna Cantarero on promoting meaning at work — International Society for the Science of Existential Psychology Kasia Cantarero’s research explored how other-oriented appraisals of work influenced meaning and engagement at work.

Kasia Cantarero shared about data finding that, vs. neutral and self-oriented, other-oriented mindsets boost meaning and engagement at work. Illustrations from Friends, Simpsons, and The Man in the Grey Flannel Suit. Plus work-life balance, running, kids, music.
www.issep.org/spotlights/c...

Can death be good for your health? — International Society for the Science of Existential Psychology By Jamie L. Goldenberg

Can the concept of death be good for your health?
Jamie Goldenberg studies the impact of conscious and non-conscious death salience on physical health behaviors, from sunscreen use, to smoking, to cancer screening. Important work!
www.issep.org/features/dea...

$10 Amazon voucher to participate in Univ Birmingham study on academics perception of research and scholars of other disciplines. Must be 18+, English fluent, have PhD, research or teach at uni, have uni email (e.g., .edu). Contact: s.watanabe@bham.ac.uk
tinyurl.com/5dmk4nm7

Lisa Blatz on Measuring the Emotional Experiences of Freedom — International Society for the Science of Existential Psychology Lisa Blatz’s research explores ways to measure the emotional experiences of freedom.

Lisa Blatz studied freedom experiences, ID'd a two-factor solution, tracked it longitudinally: ppl enjoyed "freedom from" restraints but anxious about "freedom to" find their way in life. Nods to Erich Fromm, Isaiah Berlin, Nina Simone, Animal Farm, modern dance, etc.
www.issep.org/spotlights/b...

Time’s scarcity promotes emotional savoring — International Society for the Science of Existential Psychology By Jaime Kurtz

Graduation coming up? Moving soon? Just 1 weekend together with your long-distance partner? Jaime Kurtz explains research showing how an awareness of time's scarcity promotes emotional savoring.
www.issep.org/features/tim...

Abdo Elnakouri on the Search for Truth and Knowledge — International Society for the Science of Existential Psychology Abdo Elnakouri’s research focuses on existential function of secret truths and privileged knowledge.

Abdo Elnakouri's research focuses on the existential function of secret truths and privileged knowledge. We chatted about his work, and how it shows up in Nietzsche, Paul Erdos, House, The Alchemist, The Secret, HHGTTG, and Tom Day. Check it out!
www.issep.org/spotlights/e...

Being and Time… For the time being — International Society for the Science of Existential Psychology By Sheldon Solomon

Sheldon Solomon builds on Martin Heidegger's "Being and time" and Ann Dillard's "For the time being" to contemplate thrown-ness, death and authentic living, and the angst and responsibility that comes with being a Being in time. Super stimulating read!
www.issep.org/features/bei...

Check out the Shared Reality Virtual Conference happening Wednesday March 12 & Thursday March 13, 2025, between 9:50 AM - 1:10 PM ET!
Registration is FREE!
northwestern.az1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_...

Alexis Goad on Culture, Authenticity, & Indigenous Identity — International Society for the Science of Existential Psychology Alexis Goad’s research explores the impact of culture and lived experience on authenticity in Native American identities.

Alexis Goad studies how cultural (mis)representations of Native American identities impact whether people internalize those identities as part of their "authentic self." Huge implications! plus... Rez Dogs, drumline, & Green Day!
www.issep.org/spotlights/g...

Alone in a crowd? Existential isolation and connection — International Society for the Science of Existential Psychology By Elizabeth C. Pinel

Liz Pinel studies existential isolation, the unbridgeable gap b/w our subjective experience and everyone else's. Her research measures & manipulates it to better understand how it works. Nice nods to yanny/laurel, Bob Dylan, Michelle Obama, Maya Angelou.
www.issep.org/features/alo...

Ron Chau on Death Awareness, Goals, and Mindfulness — International Society for the Science of Existential Psychology Ron Chau’s research explores the effects of death awareness and mindfulness on goal priorities and well-being.

After a near-death experience, Ron Chau made some major changes. He now studies the longitudinal impact of death exposure on goal orientations. He shared about the crash, the research, the topic in pop culture, and his a capella group's new album!
www.issep.org/spotlights/c...

Chaos and suffering: Control, blame, and moral outrage — International Society for the Science of Existential Psychology By Lucas Keefer

Lucas Keefer studies how seemingly chaotic suffering can fuel moral outrage and the blame-game, with implications for scapegoating in political and social attitudes. Seems relevant...
www.issep.org/features/con...

1 DAY LEFT! Register now! Existential Psychology SPSP preconference, Feb 20, 2025, Denver, CO. Arie Kruglanski, Sandra Murray, Daryl Van Tongeren, Kate Sweeny, Peter Helm, Catalina Enestrom, Data Blitz, & Posters.
Register here: my.spsp.org/Events/Annua...

Madhwa Galgali on Death Awareness, Religious Belief, and Atheists — International Society for the Science of Existential Psychology Madhwa Galgali’s research examined how death awareness impacted religious intuitions and expressed faith among religious believers and atheists.

Madhwa Galgali studies the role of existential concern in religious faith among religious and atheists. Chatted w/ him abt research, literature, and philosophy, his work to grow cross-cultural collaborations, as well as beignets, soccer, and rock albums.
www.issep.org/spotlights/g...