Announcing the 2027 Perugia Psychology Conference
The Umbra Institute is proud to announce the first edition of its new biennial conference on psychology and education: the Perugia Psychology Conference: Where Culture Meets Mind, taking place June 17–20, 2027, in Perugia, Italy. Building on the success of Umbra’s Multicultural Psychology Track, this international gathering brings together scholars, educators, and practitioners to explore how culture shapes human development, learning, identity, and well-being.
World-Renowned Keynotes
We are thrilled to welcome two distinguished keynote speakers from Clark University (Massachusetts), whose pioneering work has reshaped modern developmental and cultural psychology:
- Dr. Jeffrey Jensen Arnett: Globally recognized for coining the term and concept of “emerging adulthood” as a distinct developmental stage, Dr. Arnett was the founding president of the Society for the Study of Emerging Adulthood. He will deliver a keynote address drawing on his extensive research and his latest work, Imaginary Realities: The Psychology of Everyday Delusions.
- Dr. Lene Arnett Jensen: A leading authority on the cultural-developmental approach, Dr. Jensen’s work examines how cultural contexts shape psychological growth. Editor of The Oxford Handbook of Human Development and Culture, her framework provides vital tools for understanding identity, moral development, and family dynamics in a globalized world.
Together, Drs. Arnett and Jensen—recipients of the 2025 Textbook Excellence Award for Adolescence and Emerging Adulthood: A Cultural Approach—bring world-class scholarship to Perugia.
A Host City Rooted in Psychological History
Perugia offers an ideal environment for this exchange. Home to the historic Università degli Studi di Perugia, the city holds a unique place in social history as a pioneer in Italy’s movement toward de-institutionalizing mental health care and fostering community integration.
Academic Rigor Meets Informal Exchange
Designed to offer a meaningful alternative to large, impersonal congresses, the Perugia conference balances rigorous paper presentations and symposia with structured opportunities for informal networking. Highlights include:
“Ideas & Aperitivi”: Small affinity groups meeting over an Aperol Spritz to unpack conference themes against the backdrop of the Umbrian countryside.
“Un-Conference” Dialogues: Informal conversations in local Italian cafés and trattorias to build cross-institutional partnerships.
Cultural Excursions: Optional visits to local wineries and artisanal workshops, open to presenters and accompanying non-participants alike.
Call for Papers & Submissions
The Organizing Committee invites empirical and theoretical proposals on topics including cross-cultural psychology, identity in the age of AI, family dynamics, and culturally responsive pedagogy.
To review the full Call for Papers, learn about presentation formats, or submit a proposal, visit the official Perugia Psychology Conference Page.