ISTP 2026 Conference – “Theorizing in Dark Times – Art, Narrative, Politics”

On June 7–12, 2026, the International Society for Theoretical Psychology (ISTP), will host its 2026 conference at Pratt Institute’s Brooklyn Campus, which is located on Lenapehoking, the traditional and unceded homeland of the Lenape people, past, present, and future.

The conference theme “Theorizing in Dark Times – Art, Narrative, Politics” invites scholars, artists, and practitioners to critically reflect on the ways in which theory operates not only as an intellectual tool but as a form of political engagement.

At the heart of the conference lies the question: What is the role of theory in dark times? Theoretical psychology has long sought to understand the human condition, yet in moments of global crisis, theory itself becomes a site of political resistance. The conference will examine how theory functions as a political force, shaping narratives of power, ideology, and agency. It will address the political implications of psychological theory, asking how psychological concepts, often regarded as neutral or apolitical, become entangled with broader social and political dynamics.

Narrative serves as a critical bridge between theory and the political. In dark times, narratives emerge as both personal and collective responses to crises, and the conference will explore how theoretical psychology can engage with these narratives to offer insights into the human condition.

The conference will also provide the room to explore how the arts, through their ability to create alternative narratives and question existing power structures, play a pivotal role in advancing theoretical inquiry in times of crisis. Art, in this context, is not merely reflective; it is transformative, offering new ways to theorize human experience and political realities.

We warmly invite scholars from theoretical psychology and neighboring disciplines—philosophy, sociology, anthropology, literature, the arts, and beyond—to submit their contributions and join us at Pratt Institute in Brooklyn, New York, from June 7 to June 12, 2026. Whether through theoretical reflection, conceptual analyses, or creative interventions, we seek diverse perspectives that critically engage with the conference theme.