Summer Institute for Social and Personality Psychology (SISPP)

Over the last decade, hundreds of attendees have experienced the Summer Institute in Social and Personality Psychology.  More that 240 of attendees responded a survey on their experience with the SISPP program. 

• 58% of respondents currently hold faculty positions, 4% are adjunct professors and 22% have post-doctoral fellowships
• Alumni have more than 1100 publications, 130 grants, and 51 fellowships credited to their names.
• Of those, 161 publications, 33 grants, and 27 fellowships were reported as direct results of the content learned and connections formed at the Summer Institute in Social and Personality Psychology.

"SISPP was one of the best professional (and personal) experiences of my academic career. I was able to spend two full weeks with faculty that were experts in an area that I would have otherwise had little to no other opportunities to be trained in. Further, I was able to spend an extended period of time with eighty of the best and the brightest, not to mention most fun, social psychology graduate students from across the country and the globe. I formed several relationships that I know will be both life-long friendships and career-long collaborations. If I could recommend one experience to fellow graduate students, it would undoubtedly be SISPP."

– Liz Keneski, The University of Texas at Austin

"The best parts of SISPP: The chance to interact with fantastic people in the field without the usual performance pressure of conferences, presentations, etc. Being reminded (in so many ways) of why I love psychology and how lucky I am to have an opportunity to do this work. It was awesome to connect with people on a deeper level, and I came away feeling inspired and excited to get back to work!"

– Sara Andrews Ruiz, University of California at Riverside

"SISPP was an invaluable resource for networking, expanding my perspective, and discussing research interests in depth with mentors and colleagues that I would have likely never met otherwise. Upon completing the two weeks of research training, I returned home with new insights on how to approach my data and new opportunities for collaboration with colleagues. Furthermore, the Davis cohort was such a wonderful group of researchers, the majority of whom I am still in regular contact with. I would recommend SISPP to any graduate student looking for an opportunity to network, get connected, and grow as a scientist." 

– Arezou Ghane, University of California at Riverside

"I will start by saying that every Social Psychology graduate student should make an active effort to attend SISPP. SISPP is one of the best experiences I have had so far as a graduate student. While at SISPP, I was able to interact and think with impressive graduate students and psychology faculty. During my time there, I learned a lot and was able to think more critically about some of my research ideas. Currently, I am starting a research project informed by the lessons in the Personality Development course taught by Drs. Rebecca Shiner and Brent Donnellan. SISPP also helped me solidify my commitment to academia/research, and my resolve to do good work.  Though a bit intense, I was still able to have fun and party (a lot) with my Boston SISPPers. I have also development several professional and personal friendships as a result of SISPP that I hope will last a lifetime."

– Drexler James, University of Illinois at Chicago

SISPP 2019

New York University, July 14 - 25, 2019

Courses | Workshops

SISPP 2017

University of Southern California, July 9-22, 2017

Courses | Workshops

SISPP 2015

Northeastern University, July 19 - August 1, 2015

Courses

In order to provide all participants with the opportunity to benefit from SPSP events and activities, SPSP is committed to providing a friendly, safe, supportive and harassment-free environment for all SISPP attendees and participants, regardless of gender, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, disability, physical appearance, body size, race, ethnicity, religion or other group identity.

This code of conduct outlines SPSP’s expectations for all SISPP attendees and participants, including all members, speakers, vendors, media representatives, commentators, exhibitors, sponsors and volunteers. Cooperation is expected from everyone and organizers will actively enforce this code throughout this event. Violations are taken seriously.

Expected Behavior

SPSP expects SISPP participants to communicate professionally and constructively, whether in person or virtually, handling dissent or disagreement with courtesy, dignity and an open mind, being respectful when providing feedback, and being open to alternate points of view. Likewise, when sharing information about the organization or any attendees or participants via public communication channels, SPSP expects participants to share responsibly and clearly distinguish individual opinion from fact.

Alcohol maybe available at evening social networking events during SISPP and may be consumed only by those of legal age. Alcohol at SPSP events will only be distributed by commercial hosts following local and state statutes, which may include limiting consumption.

It is further expected that students in SISPP will

• Attend all scheduled class and workshop meetings.
• Complete all assigned coursework.
• Maintain a collegial environment with other participants, in order to maximize inclusion and a sense of community among all participants.
• Avoid behavior such as intoxication and social exclusion that might interfere with community-building among SISPP participants as a whole

Unacceptable Behavior

SPSP does not tolerate harassment of SISPP attendees or participants in any form. Harassment includes offensive verbal or written comments, and negative behavior, either in real or virtual space, including those which are related to or are based upon gender, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, disability, physical appearance, body size, race, ethnicity, religion or other group identity. Harassment also includes deliberate intimidation, stalking, following, harassing photography or recording, sustained disruption of talks or other events, and unwelcome physical contact or sexual attention.

Alcohol may not be brought into SPSP-sponsored events nor may alcohol be consumed by those not of legal age. Because excessive alcohol leads to impaired decision-making, SPSP strongly discourages excessive drinking at any point during the SISPP. Further, because SISPP is an intensive experience that hundreds of students vie for each year, it is expected that those chosen to attend come prepared to class with readings and homework done. Late night social activity that impedes upon this expectation is not allowed. Students failing to make classroom commitments during SISPP may be asked to leave the Institute early.

Consequences of Unacceptable Behavior

If an attendee or participant, in either real or virtual space, engages in inappropriate, harassing, abusive or destructive behavior or language, the SISPP organizers and SPSP Leadership will determine and carry out the appropriate course of action, including warning the offender, expulsion from SISPP with no refund and/or banning the offender from future SPSP events and activities.

All participants are expected to observe these rules and behaviors in all SISPP venues, including online venues, classrooms and SISPP social events. SISPP participants seek to learn, network and enjoy themselves in the process, free from any type of harassment. Please participate responsibly and with respect for the rights of others.

What to do

If you are being harassed, notice that someone else is being harassed, or have any other concerns about an individual’s conduct, please contact director@spsp.org or (202) 869-3241. Your concerns will be held as confidential as you would like them to be and you may remain anonymous. If you would like to discuss your concerns during SISPP, please reach out to your classroom instructor or one of the local organizers.