Our history

The European Association of Developmental Psychology was founded as an international scientific organization in 1994. The foundation arose from the experience of managing biennial European Conferences on Developmental Psychology as regional conferences of the ISSBD. The initiative to establish the EADP association was taken by George Butterworth (University of Stirling) and Sandy Jackson (University of Groningen). There were numerous discussions whether it was the case to found a more local association or remain part of the ISSBD in preceding years. It was during the period 1994-95 that George Butterworth and Sandy Jackson filed the by-laws and regulations in the framework of British « Charities ». They also opened a bank account. This happened at the time of the Krakow Conference in 1995. 

 

In 1997, George Butterworth succeeded in institutionalizing the European  Society for Developmental Psychology as a separate autonomous organization. Under the presidency of his follower Maria Jose Rodrigo, the name of the Society was changed into European Association of Developmental Psychology. In 2008, president Christiane Spiel established the EADP Early Researchers' Union (ERU) to promote the networking, collaboration and knowledge exchange of young scholars. In this year, also the first summer school for doctoral students took place in Syros island, organized by Frosso Motti-Stefanidi. Since our foundation, biennial conferences, EADP-ERU writing weeks, and summer schools have been organized in various parts of Europe where we connect with our community and learn about each other's research in the field of developmental psychology. 

 

Click here to read our constitution and by-laws.  

Past and current EADP presidents

 Years

President of EADP

1997-2000

George Butterworth

2000-2003

Michel Deleau

2003-2005

Willem Koops

2005-2007

Willem Koops

2007-2009

Christiane Spiel

2009-2011

Maria Josè Rodrigo

2011-2013

Luc Goossens

2013-2015

Frosso Motti Stefanidi

2015-2017

Katariina Salmela Aro

2017-2019

Ersilia Menesini

2019-2021

Marcel van Aken

2021-2023

Dagmar Strohmeier

2023-2025

Spyridon Tantaros