Industry Day

Industry Day

Industry Day

NEW! The 2026 Annual Convention will include an Industry Day – exploring psychological science in non-academic settings. This program is designed to bring together PhD candidates, industry leaders, innovators, and academic researchers to explore the role psychology plays in today’s rapidly evolving job market and innovation ecosystem. Industry Day will include interactive roundtable panel sessions focusing on key topics: the contribution of psychology to industry, first-person accounts of moving from academia to industry, and practical insights into creating successful spin-offs. There will also be a networking space where attendees can engage with speakers and company representatives. All APS 2026 attendees are welcome to attend Industry Day events.

Schedule

Thursday, 28 May 2026

  • 09:00 – 09:30 (9:00 AM – 9:30 AM) – Welcome Coffee
  • 09:30 – 10:50 (9:30 AM – 10:50 AM) – Panel Session: Beyond Academia: Creating Value and Transitioning to Industry Roles
  • 11:00 – 12:00 (11:00 AM – 12:00 AM) – Panel Session: The Journey to Creating a Startup
  • 12:00 – 13:30 (12:00 PM – 1:30 PM) – Industry Day Networking Session

Panel Session – Beyond Academia: Creating Value and Transitioning to Industry Roles

Thursday, 28 May 2026, 9:30–10:50 (9:30 AM- 10:50 AM)

Explore how diverse industries benefit from integrating psychology expertise into their teams and innovation pipelines. Hear from professionals who have successfully transitioned to industry roles—perfect for PhD students considering non-academic careers.

Moderators: 

  • Mary Czerwinski, Microsoft Research (ret.), University of Washington, and APS Board of Directors Strategic Initiatives Liaison, USA
  • Clarie Smith, University of South Florida, and 2026 APS Annual Convention Program Committee, USA

Speakers:

  • Kate Blackburn Connolly, TikTok, USA
  • Cindy K. Chung, Traveler’s Insurance, USA
  • Alexandra Kalpadaki-Smith, Evinova, AstraZeneca, Spain
  • Muriel Garreta Domingo, King.com, Spain
  • Marianne Fallon, Psi Chi, the International Honor Society in Psychology, USA
  • Tamara Mujirishvili, Roche Diagnostics SL, Spain

Panel Session – The Journey to Creating a Startup

Thursday, 28 May 2026, 11:00–12:00 (11:00 AM – 12:00 PM)

Discover what it takes to turn research into successful companies. Learn from startup founders and innovators how skills developed in research and academia can translate into entrepreneurial success and gain practical insights into risk-taking and decision-making. Ideal for early-career and consolidated researchers curious about entrepreneurship as an alternative or complement to traditional career paths.

Moderator: 

  • Ignasi Cos, University of Barcelona, Spain

Speakers:

  • Lina Marcela Cómbita Merchán, Neuromindset, Spain
  • Hans Supèr, Braingaze, Spain
  • Canceled: Vesna Prchkovska, QMENTA, USA
  • Fabio Mattiussi, Pompeu Fabra University, Spain

Industry Day Networking Session

Thursday, 28 May 2026, 12:00-13:30 (12:00 pm – 1:30 pm)

Engage directly with company representatives and featured speakers in a focused networking session. Explore career pathways, research collaborations, and real-world applications of psychology while sharing expertise, asking questions, and building cross-sector connections that can lead to future partnerships and opportunities.