Convention Policies

Health and Safety

I understand and assume the risk of becoming exposed to or infected by COVID-19 or other illnesses to and from and during and after the APA event(s) that may result from the actions, omissions, or negligence of others who may participate in the APA event or APA event related activities, or visitors, vendors, presenters, or others.

I agree not to attend APA events if I feel ill (for any reason, including COVID-19) or if my attendance may jeopardize the health of those with whom I come into contact at the APA event. Moreover, I will immediately stop participating in the APA event(s) if, once at the event, I have a temperature and am experiencing COVID-19-like symptoms.

The health and safety of our in-person APA participants remains our highest priority. APA seeks to minimize the risk of infection exposure, including COVID-19 and its variants, by establishing health and safety protocols.

These health and safety protocols may be modified at any time by APA based on its professional judgment about how best to protect the health and safety of APA participants. Such changes will consider CDC and WHO guidance, emerging scientific evidence, and existing venue rules and APA policy. APA’s health and safety protocols will be based on federal, state, and local regulations, with APA setting its own protocols based on the aforementioned input.

APA will no longer require proof of vaccination status to attend its events and programs. Nor will it be offering rapid tests. Rather, APA expects attendees to take responsibility themselves for following guidance from the WHO and CDC on measures to reduce infection from COVID-19 and to protect against severe complications. APA strongly encourages COVID vaccination and boosters, as vaccines are proven to prevent the threat of critical illness. APA also strongly encourages attendees to get an annual flu shot to further reduce the threat of illness.

An event participant’s failure to follow the above APA health and safety guidance may result in loss of entry to APA events and programs, including forfeiting paid registration and/or fees and access to future APA events.

APA may change the above health and safety protocols at any time. It is the responsibility of event registrants to regularly check the APA website and carefully read all APA event-related correspondence, electronic or otherwise, that may include updates about health and safety protocols.

Meeting Code of Conduct

The American Psychological Association’s Meeting Code of Conduct

(for Virtual and In-Person APA Events)  

The American Psychological Association (APA) is committed to fostering a welcoming and collegial community at APA events to ensure that all participants may participate in a safe and productive environment. Individuals should exercise consideration and respect at all APA meetings and social gatherings related to or in conjunction with APA functions, including receptions and dinners. The purpose of the code is to protect participants in APA sponsored or co-sponsored events from harm.

This policy applies to all APA event participants and APA staff. A non-exhaustive list includes meeting attendees, guests, vendors, exhibitors, and presenters.

Examples of unacceptable behavior include but are not limited to

Promoting or participating in harassment, bullying, discrimination, or intimidation on-site, online, and/or on social media.
Physical, verbal, written, or other forms of abuse of any attendee, speaker, volunteer, exhibitor, staff member, service provider, or other guest.
A non-exhaustive list of examples of abuse includes verbal conduct related to gender, sexual orientation, disability, physical appearance, body size, race, religion, national origin, socioeconomic class or other protected categories under an anti-discrimination law; inappropriate use of nudity and/or sexual images in public spaces or in presentations.
Threatening or stalking in-person or online.
Disrupting, disallowing or interfering with the participation by others.

In addition, meeting attendees may not:

Engage in conduct that could harm another’s privacy or professional reputation, including:
Defamation
Criminal offense
Conflict of Interest
Recording of presentations without written consent of APA;
Promoting or selling of products/services offered by speakers, vendors, industry partners, or consultants except in APA-designated exhibit space (virtual or physical). If such materials are posted, APA may remove such messages and take steps to prevent such policy violations in the future.

If a person at an APA event engages in such unacceptable behavior, APA reserves the right to take appropriate action(s), including immediate removal from the meeting without refund, restricting or banning from future events, referring the matter to the Ethics Committee, contacting law enforcement, or other actions as may be deemed appropriate.

Individuals who witness or experience inappropriate conduct should report such conduct onsite to the APA Registration Staff. Any person submitting a written or oral complaint to APA about another’s conduct must act in good faith and have reasonable grounds for believing the action indicates a violation of this Policy. Any allegations that an individual makes that prove to have been made maliciously or knowingly false will be considered a serious offense by the APA and the APA reserves the right to take actions it deems appropriate. Retaliation against an individual who has filed a complaint is strictly prohibited.

APA will promptly investigate all reports of harassment, discrimination, and other misconduct. All investigations/actions will be handled as confidentially as practicable in accordance with applicable legal requirements with the guidance of APA’s General Counsel or their designee.

Safety and Security

By participating in an APA meeting or event, I voluntarily relinquish any potential claims against APA, its officers, directors, employees, agents, affiliates, presenters and speakers. I release APA from any liability for damage or injury resulting from my attendance, acknowledging that involvement in APA events carries inherent risks, and I take responsibility for my own well-being.

APA is committed to establishing a safe and secure environment during its meetings and events. Collaborating with venue staff, APA strives to ensure the safety of all meeting participants. APA urges attendees to promptly report any questionable or troubling conduct to APA staff for immediate action.

During APA networking events, alcoholic beverages may be offered. APA anticipates responsible drinking by all participants. APA and the venue staff, including the meeting host and/or (co)sponsor, retain the right to refuse service to a participant for any reason and, if necessary, may ask a participant to leave the event.

APA Convention Interim Policy on Generative AI

APA is introducing the Interim Policy on Generative AI for the Submission of Convention Related Materials to ensure transparency in the submission process. This policy, which may be updated to reflect technological advancements, is crucial for all presenters to understand. The current version of this policy will always be available on the convention website https://convention.apa.org/proposals/rules-for-participation.

NOTE: For this policy, AI refers to generative Large Language Model AI tools and does not include grammar-checking software, citation software, or plagiarism detectors.

Generative AI Utilization: Generative AI models may assist presenters in creating APA convention presentations or materials but cannot compose the entire session content. The unique creative contributions and experiential insights of human experts are irreplaceable and integral to the unique offerings of APA.
Quality Assurance Affirmation: By submitting your materials to APA, you affirm that you have read, understood, and are comporting with the policy. This includes but is not limited to ensuring that content produced by AI is accurate, such as cited publications and presenter resumes. Additionally, presenters are responsible for securing any necessary copyrights.
AI Disclosure Requirement: Use of AI in material(s) development must be disclosed, detailing AI’s usage and extent of contribution, both on the presenters’ submission form (check the box yes in response to the question, “Was AI used in developing this submission? And if so, how?”), and appropriately cited (How to cite ChatGPT (apa.org))
AI Output Documentation: Upon request from APA, presenters may need to provide the complete AI-generated content as supplementary documentation for review. Accordingly, presenters are encouraged to keep all AI supporting materials, so they are available upon request. Failure to provide such documentation, if asked, may preclude the content or presentation from being included at APA 2025.

As with all APA convention program content, if materials cited or other information included do not exist, APA will automatically reject them. APA will then determine the next steps based on the APA’s policies and procedures, the specific facts and circumstances, and the APA staff's professional judgment.

Recording Session Policy

Current APA policy on recording sessions is as follows:

“The American Psychological Association holds the copyright of the APA 2025 program and all its sessions. If you are a presenter, by agreeing to speak at APA 2025, you have agreed to abide by these rules.

Audiotape recorders and video equipment will be provided only for the presentation of material and not for the recording of discussions, papers, or other presentations. APA reserves the right to record (video or audio) or photograph presentations at this meeting. Any other photography, filming, taping, recording, or reproduction in any medium, including via the use of tripod-based equipment, of any of the programs presented at APA 2025 without the written consent of APA is strictly forbidden. Exception: Non-flash photography and audio or video recording using hand-held equipment, for strictly personal, social, or noncommercial use, are permitted if not disruptive, as determined by APA. Permission from the speaker is required.”

Photography and Recording Policy

I hereby grant permission to the American Psychological Association (including its agents and authorized third-parties) to record and use, or arrange for the recording of, my photograph (photograph refers to any image reproduction process, including, but not limited to, slides, pictures, movie film, videocassette tape, live television and digital photographs); use my name; and record my voice and/or comments, either written or spoken during the 2025 Convention of the American Psychological Association in Denver, CO. I understand and agree that my name, photograph (as defined above), voice, comments written or spoken or other such recording (“Recording”) may be published either in print or a medium such as television, radio, the Internet, as a podcast or any other form of publication (“Publish” or “Publication”) and used for commercial or non-commercial purposes, without further notice or compensation, perpetually and worldwide. I hereby grant the American Psychological Association non-exclusive rights to Publish the Recording as set forth herein.

Program Content Disclaimer

Research conclusions, viewpoints, and comments expressed by program participants in program descriptions or in presentations scheduled during APA 2025 are those held expressly by the individual presenter and do not reflect the policy of the American Psychological Association. Likewise, content of videos and other media shown during APA 2025 reflects the viewpoints of the filmmaker and its producers and not those of the APA.

American Psychological Association (APA)
Civility Statement and Operational Definitions

As psychologists, we seek to embrace and practice the ethical principle of “respecting the dignity and worth of all people” and create a climate of civility, respect and inclusion throughout the APA community. We strive to accomplish this goal by interacting and communicating with others in a spirit of mutual respect and an openness to listen as well as to consider all points of view. While we may disagree on important issues, we debate and express our ideas in a collegial, civilized and professional manner. Corrective feedback will be provided constructively, respectfully and compassionately whenever members don’t behave civilly in order to maintain a comfortable, safe and professional environment in which to conduct the work of the Association. Finally, we understand that individuals from different cultures and groups may have varying customs and beliefs about what constitutes civil or uncivil behavior. We expect all to be respectful and mindful of these differences and norms.

CIVILITY OPERATIONAL DEFINITIONS

Think carefully before speaking
Differentiate and articulate facts from opinions
Focus on the common good
Disagree with others respectfully
Be open to others without hostility
Respect diverse views and groups
Offer a spirit of collegiality
Offer productive and corrective feedback to those who behave in demeaning, insulting, disrespectful,
and discriminatory ways
Create a welcoming environment for all
Focus corrective feedback on one’s best and most desirable behavior

OPERATIONAL DEFINITIONS OF INCIVILITY

Interrupting and talking over others who have the floor
Overgeneralizing and offering dispositional character criticisms and attributions
Using language that is perceived as being aggressive, sarcastic, or demeaning
Speaking too often or for too long
Engaging in disrespectful non-verbal behaviors (e.g., eye rolling, loud sighs)
Offering false praise or disingenuous comments (e.g., “With all due respect, but .…”)

APPROVED BY THE APA COUNCIL OF REPRESENTATIVES, AUGUST 2017