National Conference of Psychology 2026: Bridging Theory and Practice

The world of work is undergoing rapid and unprecedented change. In India, these changes are particularly striking, ranging from a young and diverse workforce to the rise of gig employment, digital transformation, and the push for inclusion in traditionally underrepresented spaces. Alongside these shifts are deeper social and cultural questions about identity, belonging, and what it means to thrive in the workplace.

This conference brings together scholars, practitioners, policymakers, and students to explore Psychology at the Workplace, a domain that goes far beyond traditional understandings of HR or Industrial/Organizational (I/O) Psychology. This conference emphasizes intersections with allied fields such as social psychology, health psychology, organizational behavior, mental health studies, AI, culture studies, and public policy. Further, the conference invites critical dialogue on well-being, identity, technology, culture, and policy - recognizing that workplaces are not isolated systems, but dynamic environments shaped by India’s social, economic, and cultural fabric.

Broad Themes

By bringing together diverse voices from academia, industry, and policy, this conference aims to move beyond efficiency and productivity, focusing instead on the well-being, growth, and potential of people at work, particularly in the unique and evolving Indian context. The overarching and guiding themes of the conference aim to address research and practice on people, performance, and potential in the workplace. The broad themes that the conference will explore include, but are not restricted to,

• Workplace well-being and psychological safety
• The role of technology and AI in the evolving world of work and its relationship with well-being
• Generational and cultural shifts in the workforce
• Considerations for policy and practice from research on psychology and well-being
• Identity and belonging in the workplace