Journals > Perspectives on Psychological Science > Call for Papers: Psychology in 2125 – A Century Forward

Call for Papers: Psychology in 2125 – A Century Forward

Editor: Arturo E. Hernandez

What will psychological science look like in the year 2125?

This special issue of Perspectives on Psychological Science invites contributors to imagine the long arc of our discipline—one that extends not just a few years into the future, but a full century ahead. In a moment of global transformation, we call on psychological scientists to ask not only where the field is going, but what it might become if guided by foresight, imagination, and scientific rigor.

The aim of this issue is to gather bold, methodologically grounded visions of psychological science in the next century. Submissions may forecast the future of core psychological constructs, envision the evolution of methods or models, or chart the role of psychology in a changing world shaped by technology, climate change, migration, health crises, and cultural shifts.

All submissions must include a Methods or Framework section that explains how the ideas are anchored—whether through historical analysis, computational modeling, theoretical extrapolation, or other principled approaches to projection. We welcome creativity, but not pure speculation. This issue is about scientific foresight, not science fiction.

We invite proposals that explore topics such as (but not limited to):

  • The future of foundational constructs such as memory, identity, intelligence, emotion, and consciousness
  • Psychological responses to and impacts of climate change, artificial intelligence, neurotechnology, and space exploration
  • Shifting disciplinary boundaries and the emergence of new methods, metaphors, or models
  • How future psychological science may engage with inequality, migration, aging populations, or global cultural change
  • The transformation of research practices, education, or public trust in science over the next century

Proposal guidelines:
Submissions will follow a two-stage process. Interested authors should submit a 300–500 word abstract summarizing the vision, argument, and methodological basis of the proposed paper. Authors of selected abstracts will then be invited to submit a full manuscript (up to 5,000 words).

Deadline for abstract submissions: August 1st
Deadline for invited full manuscripts: January 15, 2026

Abstracts and cover letters should be submitted via the Perspectives on Psychological Science submission portal at https://mc.manuscriptcentral.com/pps. A cover letter must be included that clearly indicates that the proposal is for this special issue, and please choose the manuscript type “Article Proposal” during the submission process. You may reach out to Becca White at [email protected] with any questions.

This issue will serve as a time capsule, a provocation, and a map for what lies ahead. We look forward to reading your submissions on this topic.