I am honored to conclude my time as editor of the Forward by reflecting on the very event that introduced me to SPSSI nearly 20 years ago: our conference. For many of us, SPSSI is an academic home. We gather not only to exchange research and policy insights, but also to build community with psychologists who share our values, challenges, and commitments. It brings me professional joy to welcome first-time conference attendees and pass on the same sense of warmth and belonging that I experienced as an undergraduate student. Our conference is both a gift to and a reflection of our community, and I am grateful to everyone who has helped make it such a meaningful and enduring part of SPSSI.

This issue reflects that spirit of connection and engagement, featuring updates from SPSSI leadership as well as insights from conference organizers and presenters whose work advances social justice through psychological science. Kimberly Barsamian Kahn reflects on her tenure as SPSSI president and the organization's efforts to address pressing social issues through rigorous science and public engagement. Harold Takooshian and Dinesh Sharma highlight the ongoing work of the SPSSI-New York Regional Group, including programs on women’s leadership, mental health policy, and professional mentorship. Cynthia J. Najdowski examines how SPSSI’s Courtwatch Committee strengthens connections between psychological science and the legal system. David Livert and Sheri R. Levy honor the legacy of Dr. Peter Walker, whose leadership advanced psychology’s contributions to human rights, sustainability, and global social justice.

The strong sense of community that defines SPSSI is sustained by the dedicated members who create opportunities for connection, collaboration, and scholarly exchange. Andrew L. Stewart and Aldo M. Barrita describe SPSSI’s contributions to the 2026 APA Convention, highlighting programming on economic justice, community violence, immigration, collective memory, and equity. Colette Van Laar examines SPSSI’s longstanding partnership with the European Association of Social Psychology (EASP), demonstrating how jointly sponsored conferences foster international collaboration and innovative social issues research.

Our recent summer conference in New Orleans celebrated SPSSI’s 90th anniversary while showcasing the vital work of social issues scholars. Sara Buckingham’s work draws on interviews with immigrants and long-standing community members in the United States and Italy and suggests that a psychological sense of community fosters shared responsibility, collective action, and social change. Veronica Hamilton discusses how working conditions in fast-food and coffee service settings can contribute to objectification and dehumanization, offering insight into recent labor organizing efforts. Kevin Ortiz Diaz, Elena Cabrera, Iara Isakson, and Maureen C. Kenny examine barriers and facilitators to reporting and help-seeking following military sexual trauma, highlighting the roles of stigma, distrust, and institutional culture. Theresa A. Thorkildsen and Sarah Khan share their work that suggests young adults exercise often-overlooked forms of everyday heroism through personal, civic, and civil engagement. Finally, Thomas P. Dirth and Rebekah Asp argue that principles of accessibility, interdependence, and care can enrich sustainability psychology and reshape how we think about environmental challenges and human flourishing.

Thank you to everyone who has contributed to our community during my time as Forward editor. I hope to connect with you at a future SPSSI conference.