About the conference

The 15th Annual Southwestern Ontario Industrial / Organizational Psychology and Organizational Behaviour (I/O & OB) Graduate Student Conference will be held virtually on February 27, 2026. This day-long conference aims to bring together graduate students in I/O psychology, OB, and related disciplines to showcase their research and learn about the work of today's practicing I/O psychologists.  

What to Expect at the Conference

1. Professional Development Workshop
   Kick off the day with a hands-on workshop focused on building your professional toolkit. Learn practical tips for crafting strong application materials and presenting yourself effectively for both academic and industry careers.
2. Keynote Research Presentation (Academic)
   Learn about the latest cutting-edge research related to wellbeing, leadership, and workplace effectiveness.
3. Panel Discussion: Translating Skills Beyond Grad School
   Join a panel of graduate students and recent alumni as they share their experiences applying academic skills to real-world roles in industry and research.
4. Academic Writing Workshop
   Discover strategies for successful academic writing—whether for theses, journal publications, or grant proposals. A mix of faculty and graduate student perspectives will help you refine your approach to scholarly communication.
5. Keynote Presentation (Industry)
   Wrap up the day with insights, stories, and lessons learned about what it's like working in the field.

Then and now

The conference was founded in 2006 by graduate students at Western University. Since then, it has been held annually in rotation by the I/O Psychology programs at the University of Guelph, University of Waterloo, and Western University.