June 15-17, 2023
San Diego, CA
Hyatt Regency Mission Bay Spa and Marina

11th Biennial Conference
June 15-17, 2023
San Diego, California

The Society for the Study of Emerging Adulthood (SSEA) invites proposal submissions for the 11th biennial conference. The goal of this conference is to convene a multidisciplinary and global network of scholars, practitioners, and policy makers to advance the study of emerging adulthood (18-29). The conference will take place at the Hyatt Regency Mission Bay Spa and Marina in San Diego, California from June 15-17, 2023.

About SSEA 2023
The conference theme is Flourishing in Context: A Strengths-Based Approach to Emerging Adulthood. Flourishing refers to positive and adaptive development and successful transition into adult roles along with an individual’s perception that their life is going smoothly. This conference will bring together scholars, researchers, practitioners, and policy makers in the study of emerging adulthood to explicitly examine the ways in which flourishing trajectories and outcomes emerge in the lives and narratives of emerging adults around the world. Additionally, because flourishing occurs within particular social ecologies, special focus will be on the impact of context across various levels of human ecology on flourishing.

Invited Program. Please check the SSEA website for updates on invited Speakers and Master Lectures in the coming months.

Selection Criteria:
1) The focus of the proposal should address flourishing within emerging adulthood (18-29 age range).
2) We especially encourage submissions related to the conference theme that give attention to the factors and contexts associated with flourishing in emerging adulthood, including positive cultural and psychosocial development.
3) We also encourage submissions that explore a range of health and wellness topics in underrepresented populations from a strengths-based perspective. However, other topics will also be given full consideration.
4) Importance of the topic to the study of emerging adulthood.
5) Empirical research studies using quantitative, qualitative, and mixed methods are all encouraged. Here, the appropriateness of the method in relation to the research question(s) will be taken into account. Cross-disciplinary collaborations and submissions are also encouraged.

Please note: There is a limit of two submissions by the same first author.

Timeline
• Submissions open: August 12, 2022
• Submissions deadline: October 21st at 11:59 pm EST
• Notification of decisions: December 16th
• Questions: info@ssea.org
• Expedited review
o International travelers whose travel would be prohibited unless review was expedited are eligible to request expedited review upon proposal submission
o Proposals submitted for expedited review should be submitted no later than October 7th.
o Expedited review notifications will occur by November 4th .

Formats
Proposals consistent with the conference theme are encouraged, but all proposals will be given full consideration. Submission formats are described below.

Individual Poster Sessions
1. Individual Posters will be presented during general poster sessions. These sessions offer an opportunity to share empirical findings with a wide audience of conference attendees. Empirical findings that encourage discussion with audience members are well-suited for poster presentations.
2. Submissions for poster presentations should include a proposal of no more than 300 words containing the following:
a. Title
b. Introduction to the research question(s),
c. Description of method,
d. Results,
e. Brief discussion and/or implications.
f. Proposals may contain up to two figures, tables, charts or graphs (reference list is not required).

Individual Paper Presentations
1. Individual paper presentations proposals are encouraged to present empirical findings from new lines of research that are not yet published. If possible, in lieu of individual paper presentations, authors are encouraged to build symposia with topic network members.
2. These standalone individual papers will be organized into thematic sessions by the conference organizing committee.
3. Submissions for paper presentations should include a proposal of no more than 500 words containing the following:
a. Title
b. Introduction to the research question(s),
c. Description of methods,
d. Results,
e. Brief discussion and/or implications.
f. Proposals may contain up to two figures, tables, charts or graphs (reference list is not required).
g. Note: Authors may select to have proposals submitted as individual paper presentations considered for acceptance as poster presentation if not selected as individual papers.

Paper Symposia.
1. A paper symposium includes a series of presentations focused on a common theme. The session may consist of:
a. 3 papers and a Discussant who summarizes and comments on the presented papers, OR
b. 4 papers without a Discussant.
2. A Chair should be designated for each symposium who organizes the paper presentations and facilitates a Q & A following the presentations.
3. Paper symposia will be scheduled for 90 minutes. Each paper and the discussion will be allotted 15 minutes for presentation; 30 minutes will be reserved for a Q & A period to be led by the Chair. Individuals interested in finding other presenters to form a symposium are strongly encouraged to get involved with a relevant SSEA Topic Network.
4. Submissions for paper symposia should include a proposal of no more than 500 words for each presentation that contains the following:
a. Title
b. Introduction to the research question(s)
c. Description of method
d. Results
e. brief discussion and/or implications.
f. Proposals may contain up to two figures, tables, charts or graphs (reference list is not required).
5. Additionally, paper symposia must include an integrative statement of no more than 500 words prepared by the Chair. The integrative statement will include a (i) title of the paper symposium, (ii) rationale for bringing the papers together, and (iii) discussion of the themes the papers address.

Roundtable Discussion Sessions
1. Discussion sessions are intended to be an interactive forum for an exchange of ideas, rather than presentations of research findings. Discussion sessions may focus on topics that are related to theory, method, practice, and/or policy. Each session may have a maximum of three panelists and must have a moderator. Each session will be allocated 60 minutes for discussion among the panelist and 30 minutes for discussion with the audience.
2. Discussion sessions should not include individual presentations from the panelists, and use of Powerpoint slides is strongly discouraged. Rather, the moderator should prepare a series of questions to be posed to the panelists for discussion. Submissions for discussion sessions should include a proposal of no more than 500 words that describes the topic and rationale for the session, at least three discussion questions to be addressed by the panelists, and a brief description of the background and expertise of the participants

Innovative Sessions
Innovative sessions are intended to encourage discussion, debate, and/or collaboration. These sessions are meant to enhance the experience of SSEA conference attendees and provide a format that allows for a unique and engaging conference-going experience. Each session will be allocated 90 minutes.

Some examples include but are not limited to:
a. A fishbowl session where 2-3 participants engage in a debate on a critical topic in the center of the room and then invite audience members to participate.
b. A networking session where participants engage in structured interactive session around a common theme. Organizers would pick a theme and structure opportunities to connect with scholars doing similar work.
c. Another session type of your choosing.

Innovative session proposals must include the following information in a 500-word abstract:
a. Identify session leaders with clearly articulated roles
b. Provide detailed description of the session goals
c. Provide detailed description of the focus of the session in terms of theory, method(s), community partnerships, mentorship, professional development, or other themes
d. Describe the intended audience for the session (e.g., emerging scholars who are entering the job market)
e. Space requirements for the session (i.e., room size and/or equipment necessary).

Presidential Symposium: Addressing the Research to Practice Gap
In her presidential address in 2021, current SSEA President, Dr. Abby Goldstein, addressed the research-to-practice gap and called for more research and collaboration in the field to better address the mental health and wellness needs of emerging adults. The 2023 Presidential Symposium will feature work that bridges the gap between research and practice by addressing issues with direct relevance for practitioners who are working with emerging adults. We are especially interested in research that explores the needs of underrepresented emerging adults, including racialized emerging adults and those who identify as LGBTQ+. Submissions can cover a range of topics (e.g., prevention, intervention, counselling services, technology-based approaches) as long as the findings of the work have implications for practice. Research using qualitative, quantitative or mixed-methods approaches is welcomed. To submit a paper for consideration in the symposium, please submit an individual paper submission and indicate your interest in participating in the Presidential Symposium within the submission portal. Submissions not selected for participation in the Presidential Symposium will be considered for individual paper presentat