WPA 2012 Convention - Student Guide
2012 WPA Convention

The 2012 WPA Convention will be at the Hyatt Regency San Francisco Airport in Burlingame. The dates are April 26 to April 29, 2012. The Terman Teaching Conference will be held on April 25 from 9am to 5pm. The hotel provides a shuttle to and from both the airport and downtown Burlingame. The BART train goes directly from the airport to downtown San Francisco. More information >>
Quick Convention Links
Writing a Conference Abstract: Some Suggestions and Common Errors
Student Guide to the WPA Convention
Classifieds
Dominican University of California
Dominican University of California is seeking a dynamic individual in the Department of Psychology for a full-time, tenure-track Assistant Professor Position with a research focus in Developmental Psychology to begin August 2012.This is a full-time, 9.5-month position. (more >>>)
The Department of Psychology at San Diego State University: Two tenure-track positions
Both open rank and open area but one with a focus on Cancer Disparities. For both positions, candidates must hold a PhD in a domain of Psychology or allied discipline. Candidates would be expected to teach graduate and undergraduate courses, mentor Masters and Doctoral-level graduate students, and engage in department, college, and university-level service activities. (more >>>)
California State University, San Marcos
California State University San Marcos expects to hire one new tenure-track assistant professor for Fall 2012. We are seeking an individual with a Ph.D. in Developmental Psychology, Human
Development, or a related field with expertise in developmental psychopathology
and/or developmental disabilities. (more >>>)
Psychologist 3
Washington State Department of Corrections is seeking a highly motivated and qualified individual for the position of Psychologist 3 (Pre-employment). (more >>>)
Opportunity in New Zealand
Are you a Clinical Psychologist passionate about working with Pacific people? If so, we have a great opportunity for you to work within our holistic model of care at Counties Manukau District Health Board (CMDHB). (more >>>)
Assistant Professor of Psychology at Central Oregon Community College
Enjoy a fulfilling teaching career in Bend, Oregon, an exceptionally attractive location on the eastern slopes of the Cascade Mountains. (more >>>)
Cuesta College
Cuesta College, a community college in San Luis Obispo, CA, invites applications for a full-time, tenure track position in psychology. (more >>>)
Program Director - UA Fairbanks
The University of Alaska Joint Ph.D. Program in Clinical-Community Psychology seeks a qualified individual to fill a tenure-track Associate Professor or Full Professor position in Fairbanks and to assume the role of UAF Program Director. (more >>>)
Program Director - UA Anchorage
The University of Alaska Joint Ph.D. Program in Clinical-Community Psychology seeks a qualified individual to fill a tenure-track Associate Professor or Full Professor position in Anchorage and to assume the role of UAA Program Director (PD). (more >>>)
CSU Los Angeles Department Chair
The Department of Psychology at California State University, Los Angeles invites applications for a Department Chair at the level of tenured Full Professor beginning September 2011.
(more >>>)
Student Guide to the WPA Convention
Prepared by Jack Kirshenbaum and Lisa Gray-Shellberg
Outstanding Program
Slated for the Annual
WPA Convention
Students Are Welcome to Attend
Students new to WPA conventions are often both excited and overwhelmed by the variety of activities going on. This article will provide you with some answers to questions you might have in mind as well as with some helpful suggestions to make your attendance more enjoyable.
- Here are some questions this article answers.
- What convention activities may students attend?
- May students attend the WPA Receptions?
- Do you have to be invited to attend an Invited Address or Symposium?
- May I leave during the middle of a session?
- May students ask questions in paper reading sessions?
- Is there a dress code at the convention?
- Can I get free books at the publishers' booths?
- What does it cost to attend the convention?
- What are the benefits of WPA membership?
Convention Registration
When you arrive at the convention hotel, make one of the first stops the WPA registration desk where you will receive your identification badge and convention program. The identification badge, pinned to your shirt or Jacket, is the ticket that allows you to enter any and all convention activities. The convention packet contains the WPA Convention Program and other announcements for you to look over. Anyone who registers for the convention may attend all program events. Student pre-convention registration costs $35 for WPA Student Members and $75 for non-member students, if registration occurs before Mar 31, 2012. On-site registration is $50 for WPA Student members and $90 for Student Non-members. Student membership in WPA is $30.00. The most cost-effective way for students to attend the convention is to join WPA ($30) and pay the Student-Member rate for Convention Registration ($35). This saves you $10 over registering as a Non-member Student. Please be sure to pre-register before Mar 31 as on-site registration fees are $15 higher in all categories. All registration and membership forms are available to you immediately here.
The Convention Program
The WPA convention program lists and briefly describes every activity at the convention. The 180 or more pages with hundreds of activities might seem bewildering at first but be patient and focus on just a page at a time. Also look for Psi Chi (National Honor Society in Psychology) and CTUP (Council of Teachers of Undergraduate Psychology) events as many of these are either presented by students or are on topics of special interest to students.
The convention program is organized into several sections. The opening section presents announcements and special events and lists the hosts, convention policies, etc. The rest of the program is devoted to a listing of the events by day, by hour and by room. Each program entry contains the title of the activity, the title of the presentation(s) and the name and affiliation of the presenter(s). The appendix contains an alphabetical listing of every presenter and a day by hour by room summary chart of every activity and presentation (to give you an overview of the whole convention) as well as a map of the convention floor. The convention activities and presentations you may attend include Paper Sessions, Invited Addresses, Symposia. Poster Sessions, the Presidential Address, Special Events, Receptions, Film Festival, and Exhibits. Each of these will now be briefly described.
Convention Activities
Hospitality suite: You are cordially Invited to visit the WPA Hospitality Suite during the convention. It is a great place to meet old friends, make new friends, interact with students and faculty from other campuses and Just plain relax. Make it your home away from home. Check the convention WPA registration desk for its location. Members of Psi Chi and Psi Beta, the national honor societies will be there to assist you and answer any questions you might have. This article was developed by faculty and students who are members of these organizations. The hospitality suite is generally open 8am to 5pm each day of the convention.
Invited Program: Each year prominent psychologists are "invited" to present addresses. This gives everyone an opportunity to hear first hand the latest research findings and theoretical ideas from leading researchers in the country. Large meeting halls for 200 or more are often used for these addresses. All convention attendees are welcome at the talks by the invited speakers. Also, discussion hours with students will be scheduled for many of the invited speakers.
Poster Session: In a poster session 40 or more presenters fasten the highlights of their research studies, including charts and tables, to colorful posters mounted on bulletin boards arranged in rows. Presenters stand by their posters as attendees stroll along the rows, reading the posters and discussing them with the presenters. These sessions give you the chance to meet active research psychologists and ask questions and discuss findings. Most presenters have a limited number of copies of their research papers and will give you a copy if you ask. Each presenter welcomes your interest and questions no matter who you are. This is also a good opportunity to find out about graduate and undergraduate programs at other colleges and universities from the presenting professors and their students. Don't be shy.
Invited Symposium: Two or more authorities in an area of interest present a brief paper or short lecture. After the presentation they each comment and critically evaluate each other's papers and hold a lively discussion of the issues involved. The chairperson also invites comments and questions from the audience.
Paper Session: During a given session a chairperson introduces each presenter who then reads or presents a short lecture covering his/her research. Some four or five papers are scheduled per session. After each paper is presented or at the end of a session, the audience is given an opportunity to ask questions of the presenter(s). Most papers are quite technical and assume some knowledge of subject matter. Select a few paper reading sessions that involve areas that reflect your major interest. The rooms for the paper reading sessions hold from 40 to 50 attendees.
Attendees are free to quietly enter and leave any session, so do not let this distract you. If you do not plan to stay the full session sit by the door or in the back so you can leave as unobtrusively as possible. You may enter any session at any time.
Exhibitors: During the convention 15-20 publishers and equipment vendors to display their books and supplies in the same large ballroom where poster presentations occur. Here you can browse through the latest textbooks and see the most recent laboratory equipment. Stop in the booths that interest you and look over the books. Talk to the people in the equipment booths and ask questions and/or request demonstrations.
The books are generally not for sale but for display and distribution to qualified professors who are considering them for adoption. Many vendors, however, will take orders for their books from you at some very attractive convention discounts.
WPA Receptions: All convention registrants are invited to the WPA Receptions on Thursday and Friday evenings. Refreshments, good friends, and stimulating conversation will make these gatherings memorable events.
Special Events: Each year WPA extends an invitation to professional groups to schedule special events and social hours in conjunction with the convention. The convention program lists these special events and social hours which you may attend.
Dress: There is no formal dress code. However, it is expected that everyone will dress in professionally appropriate clothing.
Join WPA: Students are encouraged to join WPA. This is a fine way to begin your professional career as a psychologist. The student membership is $30 a year. Membership entitles you to reduced convention registration fees and to receive a quarterly newsletter which provides you with information about psychology in the Western Region as well as advance information on the convention program. Membership questions or questions about the annual convention should be sent to WPA, 3196 Willow Creek Road, Suite A103-173, Prescott, AZ 86301, OR via e-mail to cozby.wpa@gmail.com. A membership form can be obtained here.