The Alliance for Organizational Psychology: Connecting and Advancing the Global Industrial, Work, and Organizational Psychology Community

Across the world, work and worker challenges increasingly transcend national borders and are shared across organizational and cultural contexts. The rapid expansion of artificial intelligence, the normalization of hybrid and remote work, rising global leadership demands, political and economic pressures, inequality, and workforce mobility are shaping the experiences of employees and organizations worldwide. Responding effectively to these interconnected challenges, and their implications for employee performance and well-being, requires collaborative global efforts, as local regulations and institutional structures across countries can inform discourse and contribute to globally informed solutions. For example, regulations surrounding data privacy differ substantially between the European Union’s General Data Protection Regulation and more decentralized approaches in the United States, shaping how employee data can be collected and used. Hybrid work expectations also differ across countries, with some emphasizing structured flexibility whereas others prioritize autonomy and individual choice. Finally, labor protection and unionization norms differ across the world, affecting employee rights and workplace conditions. Although these challenges are global in scope, their manifestations and appropriate responses are deeply context dependent. Therefore, international coordination, shared learning, and sustained collaboration across geographic and cultural boundaries are essential for companies doing business across the world to effectively navigate these complex global dynamics.

As industrial, work, and organizational psychology (IWOP) professionals, we are uniquely positioned to address these challenges through evidence-based practice and scientific inquiry into human behavior at work. However, realizing this potential at a global scale requires mechanisms that extend beyond national and regional boundaries. It requires structures that enable professional IWOP societies to connect, exchange knowledge, and act collaboratively. Historically, there has been an absence of formal mechanisms to coordinate efforts, share timely information, and present a coherent, interlinked voice on global issues affecting employees worldwide. As a result, IWOP expertise has often been advanced within national or regional contexts, limiting opportunities to amplify shared priorities and respond collectively to emerging workforce challenges. To address this gap, the Alliance for Organizational Psychology (aka. Alliance) was founded. Linking IWOP societies worldwide, the Alliance provides connective infrastructure that enables sustained collaboration, amplifies collective impact, and strengthens the global relevance of the field (Alliance for Organizational Psychology, 2018a.).

History of the Alliance

The Alliance for Organizational Psychology was formally established in 2009 by leaders from several major professional societies who recognized a shared challenge facing the IWOP community: the absence of a coordinated mechanism for sustained global collaboration. It emerged from the belief that enhanced communication and collaboration across IWOP associations could strengthen the visibility, relevance, and impact of IWOP research and practice worldwide. Founding members included the Society for Industrial and Organizational Psychology (SIOP), the European Association of Work and Organizational Psychology (EAWOP), and Division 1 (Organizational Psychology) of the International Association of Applied Psychology (IAAP). Although each organization had a strong history and identity, leaders acknowledged that the field would benefit from greater alignment and collective action on issues of global relevance. These three associations were collectively referred to as federated members. Federated members serve as the governing voice of the Alliance and elect a president, secretary-general, treasurer, and communications officer who serve to advance initiatives aligned with the Alliance’s mission.

Over time, the Alliance expanded to include additional federated member organizations, reflecting growing interest in global engagement. The Canadian Society for Industrial and Organizational Psychology (CSIOP) formally joined soon after the Alliance was formed, and in 2025, the College of Organisational Psychologists (COP) of the Australian Psychological Society (APS) and the Brazilian Society of Work and Organizational Psychology (SBPOT) joined as federated members. This expansion represents a strategic broadening of the Alliance’s geographic reach and influence. By incorporating federated members from additional regions, the Alliance strengthens international connections while ensuring its priorities reflect diverse local contexts and professional norms. Strategically, this growth enhances the Alliance’s ability to shape initiatives that are globally relevant and representative, rather than centered primarily on European and North American perspectives.

In 2020, the Alliance further broadened its reach through the launch of the Big Tent initiative. Prior to its inception, direct communication with leadership of IWOP associations and societies was, at best, uncoordinated and more likely absent. The Big Tent established a structured mechanism for broad-reaching communication with association leadership who chose to connect, receive communications, and engage in dialogue. Through the Big Tent initiative, the Alliance aims to increase the visibility and relevance of IWOP worldwide by engaging a broader set of professional organizations beyond the Alliance’s federated members (Alliance for Organizational Psychology, 2018b). Participating associations of the Big Tent are referred to as Network Partners, reflecting their role in expanding the Alliance’s global network. By incorporating Network Partners, the Alliance increases inclusion across the international IWOP community while maintaining a shared foundation in scientific and applied values. For example, through the Big Tent, communications about initiatives, such as the Global Work and Organizational Psychology (G-WOP) 24-hour free online conference, were disseminated to leadership of more than 22 Network Partners, significantly expanding participation and reach.

Mission and Impact

The mission of the Alliance for Organizational Psychology is to support and advance the science and practice of IWOP globally and to expand its contribution to society by improving the quality of working life (Alliance for Organizational Psychology, 2018c). To advance this mission, the Alliance focuses on fostering collaboration among member societies, supporting the exchange of research and practice insights across regions, and facilitating dialogue around shared global workforce challenges.

The Alliance adopted the Declaration of Identity (Alliance for Organizational Psychology, 2018d), a foundational statement that articulates this mission and defines who IWOP professionals are, as well as their responsibilities and societal roles in a changing global work environment (Kożusznik & Glazer, 2021). It positions IWOP professionals as evidence-based scientists and practitioners who translate research into concrete impact, engage effectively with diverse stakeholders, and inform organizational and public decision-making. They promote well-being at work, address social and humanitarian challenges, innovate, and bridge science and practice. These responsibilities are critical in the current world of work, characterized by rapid technological change, globalization, labor market insecurity, and increasing concerns about mental health and inequality.

One of the most visible ways the Alliance advances its mission is through curated programming at major professional conferences. These Alliance-sponsored programs are intentionally designed to integrate global perspectives within a single session. Presenters and panelists are selected to represent diverse countries and professional contexts, ensuring that discussions move beyond parallel regional conversations to foster genuine international dialogue on shared challenges facing the IWOP community. Alliance conference sessions provide an accessible forum for convening global IWOP perspectives and fostering dialogue between international research and practice.

The Alliance Conference Committee collaborates with conference organizers to develop symposia and panel discussions that highlight globally relevant issues in IWOP. Since its establishment, cross-society coordination has become more intentional and sustained. The Alliance Conference Committee itself is composed of representatives from the federated member societies, creating a built-in mechanism for shared governance and collaborative decision-making. Through this structure, programming is jointly curated across societies and includes panelists representing multiple countries and associations, ensuring integrated global dialogue. Alliance sessions often align with broader societal priorities, such as the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, particularly Goal 8, which focuses on Decent Work and Economic Growth, and they also feature diverse international IWOP perspectives, and showcase high-interest topics. Finally, they aim to inform future research agendas and applied practices, stimulate cross-national collaborations, and contribute to policy discussions affecting employees worldwide.

Over the years, the Alliance has contributed programming to the SIOP Annual Conference, the EAWOP Congress, the International Congress of Applied Psychology (ICAP), and the Brazilian Congress of Work and Organizational Psychology (CBPOT) hosted by SBPOT. For example, at SIOP 2025, the Alliance addressed pressing global and societal challenges, including organizational responses to migration, systemic barriers facing Indigenous employees, and the role of trust during geopolitical uncertainty. These sessions encouraged deeper reflection on leadership responsibility, accountability, and the ethical dimensions of organizational practice. In the same year, the Alliance, along with several other global professional IWOP societies, governing bodies, and professionals, participated in the inaugural G-WOP conference. Looking ahead, the Alliance is currently assisting with the planning of the 2026 G-WOP Conference. Collectively, these efforts demonstrate how the Alliance leverages international collaboration to surface emerging issues, question established paradigms, and advance globally informed dialogue within the field.

At the upcoming 2026 SIOP Annual Conference in New Orleans, the Alliance will sponsor three sessions that exemplify its commitment to timely, globally relevant issues. These sessions are open to all SIOP members and provide opportunities to learn about cutting-edge research and applied insights from academia and practice:

• Designing Human–AI Collaboration will bring together academics and practitioners to examine how human–AI collaboration influences stress, trust, and psychological safety, with a focus on job design strategies that support well-being in technology-rich environments.
• Worker Well-Being: Research and Practice Across Contexts will highlight international perspectives on worker well-being, integrating empirical research with applied insights and engaging participants in cocreating practical solutions for today’s changing world of work.
• Bringing Decent Work to the Next Generation of IWOP Professionals will examine the concept of decent work (i.e., productive employment with fair pay, good working conditions, and prospects for personal and professional development), as well as methods to prepare future generations to improve worker well-being.

Because these sessions address issues that manifest differently around the world, they exemplify the value of Alliance-sponsored sessions by intentionally bringing global perspectives together. Each topic benefits from cross-national dialogue. For example, human–AI collaboration may unfold differently depending on regulatory frameworks or cultural norms related to trust in technology. Worker well-being may be shaped by societal safety nets and cultural expectations. The meaning and implementation of decent work may vary across economic systems and developmental contexts. By bringing together IWOP voices from different nations, the Alliance creates space to identify shared global challenges while recognizing important regional realities. Together, these sessions highlight the Alliance’s role in surfacing critical global issues, fostering international dialogue, and connecting academia, research, and practice in meaningful ways.

Looking Forward: An Invitation to Engage

As a member of SIOP, you are already part of the global network that the Alliance brings together. At a time when work is being reshaped by rapid AI integration, shifting labor markets, evolving regulatory requirements, and changing employee expectations, the need for coordinated global dialogue and collaboration has never been more pressing. The questions facing our field are not confined to one country. Addressing them requires shared insight, collective reflection, and sustained international collaboration. The Alliance exists to facilitate that dialogue and provide meaningful avenues for engagement.

Contribute to the Global Conversation

Each year through the Alliance website and announcement through the Big Tent network, the Alliance issues a Call for Proposals for Alliance-sponsored sessions at conferences such as SIOP, EAWOP, ICAP, and CBPOT (and soon the Australian Psychological Society’s Industrial and Organisational Psychology Conference). Students, academics, and practitioners are encouraged to submit proposals for symposia, roundtables, and panel discussions that integrate global perspectives.  Submissions are reviewed by the Alliance Conference Committee, and selected proposals are incorporated into the Alliance’s curated program for each conference. Through this process, the Alliance elevates topics of shared international relevance and ensures representation across regions, roles, and professional backgrounds.

Engage as a Presenter, Panelist, or Attendee

In addition to submitting proposals, SIOP members may engage with the Alliance in multiple ways. Members may serve as chairs, presenters, or panelists in Alliance-sponsored sessions selected through the annual Call for Proposals, or they may be invited to contribute their expertise in Alliance-facilitated sessions organized by the Conference Committee where global experts contribute their unique perspectives. They may also participate as attendees, sing these sessions as opportunities to exchange ideas, ask questions, and initiate collaborations that extend beyond the conference setting.

Alliance sessions also offer distinct value across the IWOP community: Academics may extend the reach of their scholarship, increase international visibility of their research, and connect with collaborators from other countries and IWOP associations. Practitioners can share their applied perspectives and benchmark their applied practices, thereby learning how their peers are addressing or navigating comparable challenges across the world. Students gain exposure to global perspectives, expand their professional networks, and identify pathways for future involvement.

Volunteer With the Alliance

SIOP members who wish to take on a more active role may express interest in serving as an expert panelist during an Alliance-facilitated session or in volunteering with the Alliance Conference Committee. The committee comprises representatives from the federated member organizations who serve a rotating term and collaborate to shape conference programming and strategic conference priorities. The Alliance is currently seeking representatives from CSIOP, SBPOT, and APS to join the Conference Committee.

We invite you to connect with and engage in the Alliance’s ongoing work. Through participation as a submitter, panelist, attendee, or volunteer, you become part of a sustained effort to connect associations and their members, foster meaningful collaboration, and elevate the global voice of industrial, work, and organizational psychology. In doing so, you help ensure that our field remains globally relevant, scientifically grounded, and socially impactful in addressing the evolving complexities of work worldwide.

References

Alliance for Organizational Psychology. (2018a). About us. Author. https://alliancefororganizationalpsychology.com/.

Alliance for Organizational Psychology. (2018b). Objective of the “Big Tent”. Author.  https://alliancefororganizationalpsychology.com/the-%22big-tent%22.

Alliance for Organizational Psychology. (2018c). Bulletin of the IAAP. Author.  https://alliancefororganizationalpsychology.com/history.

Alliance for Organizational Psychology. (2018d). Declaration of identity. Author.  https://alliancefororganizationalpsychology.com/declaration-of-identity

Kożusznik, B., & Glazer, S. (2021). Hearing the international voices of professionals in industrial, work, and organizational psychology: A declaration of identity. The Industrial-Organizational Psychologist, 58(4).