IPPA — International Positive Psychology Association
10th World Congress on Positive Psychology July 7–10, 2027 • Istanbul, Türkiye

Congress Leadership

Meet the dedicated global and national committees, scholars, practitioners, and host partners guiding the 10th World Congress on Positive Psychology (July 7–10, 2027 | Istanbul, Türkiye).

Executive & Host Leadership

Organizing Committee

The Organizing Committee leads the overarching strategy, logistics, financial governance, marketing, and host university partnerships for the 10th World Congress on Positive Psychology.

Chair & Executive Leadership

Tayyab Rashid

Tayyab Rashid

Congress Chair Executive Committee
IPPA Board of Directors · President-Elect · Canada
Andrew Soren

Andrew Soren

Executive Committee · Marketing Lead
IPPA Executive Director · Canada
DV

Dianne Vella-Brodrick

Chair, Community, Connection and Flourishing
IPPA President · Australia

Advisory & Governance

MJ

Marita James

Executive Committee · Finance Lead
IPPA Board of Directors · USA
Rhea Owens

Rhea Owens

Executive Committee · Divisions Lead
IPPA Board of Directors · USA
James Pawelski

James Pawelski

Executive Committee · Senior Advisor
IPPA Board of Directors · USA

Türkiye Organizing Partners

Mehmet Büyükçorak

Mehmet Büyükçorak

Presenting University Partner
Ibn Haldun University · Türkiye
Nevzat Tarhan

Nevzat Tarhan

Premier University Partner
Üsküdar University · Türkiye

BURKON (Professional Congress Organizer)

Serkan Demirkesen

BURKON PCO · Türkiye

Gürkan İçli

BURKON PCO · Türkiye

Fatih Karabulut

BURKON PCO · Türkiye

Onur Oral

BURKON PCO · Türkiye

Cihat Yıldır

BURKON PCO · Türkiye
Academic & Program Leadership

Scientific Committee

The Scientific Committee designs the academic framework, establishes the ten scientific tracks, manages abstract reviews, and ensures a rigorous, inclusive, and forward-looking program.

Committee Leadership

Jane Gillham

Jane Gillham

Scientific Co-Chair
Swarthmore College · USA
Matthew Iasiello

Matthew Iasiello

Research Lead
Be Well Co · Australia
Denise Quinlan

Denise Quinlan

Practice Lead
NZ Institute of Wellbeing & Resilience
Tayyab Rashid

Tayyab Rashid

Congress Chair
IPPA Board · Canada

Committee Members

Richard Appiah

Richard Appiah

Committee Member
University of Ghana · Ghana
GA

Gökmen Arslan

Committee Member
Mehmet Akif Ersoy University · Türkiye
Maggie Zhao

Maggie Zhao

Committee Member
University of Hong Kong · China
Worldwide Representation

Global Advisory Committee

The Global Advisory Committee connects national leaders, regional positive psychology networks, and international experts to broaden worldwide representation and engagement.

Türkiye-Based Members

ÖA

Özcan Erkan Akgun

Ibn Haldun University · Türkiye
AB

Ayşe Burçin Başkurt

Univ. of East London · UK / Türkiye
MD

Mehmet Dinç

Yeşilay (Green Crescent) · Türkiye
Türker Ergüzel

Türker Ergüzel

Üsküdar University · Türkiye
Ekmel Geçer

Ekmel Geçer

Marmara University · Türkiye
Sevgi Güney

Sevgi Güney

Ankara University · Türkiye
Celia Naivar

Celia Naivar

Özyeğin University · Türkiye
Kemal Sayar

Kemal Sayar

Psychiatrist & Author · Türkiye
AŞ

Ayşe Şafak

Ibn Haldun University · Türkiye
Fatma Turan

Fatma Turan

Üsküdar University · Türkiye

International Members

Sean Abrahams

Sean Abrahams

South Africa
Vicki Cabrera

Vicki Cabrera

USA
Nurlaila Efendi

Nurlaila Efendi

Indonesia
NJ

Noof Al Jenebi

United Arab Emirates
JM

Judith Mangelsdorf

Germany
Charles Martin-Krumm

Charles Martin-Krumm

France
KP

Kaiping Peng

Tsinghua University · China
CR

Chiara Ruini

University of Bologna · Italy
Paula Senra

Paula Senra

Psychiatrist & Author · Brazil
Jennifer Villalobos

Jennifer Villalobos

USA

Members of each committee are listed alphabetically by last name.

Our Sponsors
İbn Haldun Üniversitesi Presenting Sponsor
Üsküdar Üniversitesi Premier Sponsor
Burkon Turizm
Congress logistics managed in partnership with Burkon.