2026-06-09 –, HA Room 2416
This unconference extends the Courage and Cowardice series by examining a complementary tension in psychological science: the projection of individual moral or political commitments into professional contexts. Scientific work necessarily involves value-laden judgements, yet not all values are equally appropriate to impose as professional norms. Some moral constraints, such as minimizing harm in research with children, are widely shared and foundational. Others reflect personal, cultural, or political preferences that are difficult to justify as scientific obligations. Between these extremes lies a broad and contested space in which researchers must decide when moral positions should guide scientific practice, discourse, or institutional expectations. The aim is not to establish shared rules or resolve disagreement, but to provide space for individual reflection on when, which, and whether individual moral decisions or political positions should be brought into academia.
This session aims to include people of all backgrounds and to promote ideological diversity. It addresses how individuals can maintain their own moral commitments while reflecting on the extent to which those commitments should be imposed within academic work.
Even those with mutually exclusive views on any given issue should be able to contribute to the discussion. This session aims to improve psychological science, not by asserting what is right, but rather fostering a discussion on how we navigate our own values and space in academia for those with other values.
Please note any pre-requisite knowledge/expertise you will expect from attendees (i.e., is the session most appropriate for someone who already has experience with a topic?).:No pre-requisites necessary. All are welcome!
