This pre-conference will focus on advancing discussions in emerging areas of decision-making research between the academic, public, and private sectors. We will highlight novel approaches currently being taken in the field, and encourage cross talk between those in the public and private sectors to share insights and spark collaborations across the public-private divide. The pre-conference will involve several panels covering cutting-edge perspectives on affective science and decision making including the role of emotion in health and well-being across the life span, risk and financial decision making with attention to applied directions, and the promise and pitfalls of public-private partnerships. Invited speakers include Barbara Fredrickson, Richard Lucas, Ellen Peters, Elizabeth Phelps, Jennifer Lerner, and Eric Johnson. There will be ample time throughout the day for networking and potential collaboration.

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This preconference will highlight recent advances in research on the interplay between culture and emotion, featuring two themes: “Culture and Emotion Perception” (focusing on research investigating cultural influences on emotion perception) and “Cultural Fit of Emotions” (focusing on implications of emotions that fit (or do not fit) in their cultural contexts). The preconference will include two thematic sessions with invited speakers, a data blitz session, a poster session, and a keynote address by Batja Mesquita. Invited speakers include Rachael Jack, Maria Gendron, Taka Masuda, and Ursula Hess for Culture and Emotion Perception session, and Jeanne Tsai, Jose Soto, Yukiko Uchida, and Will Tsai for Cultural Fit of Emotions session. Abstract submissions for data blitz and poster presentations will be solicited (deadline January 15, 2019)

The Emotion Regulation Preconference will feature emotion regulation research from various disciplines and topics, consider emotion regulation from different perspectives, and share exciting new findings and methods. It will feature a range of formats from short talks to panel discussions to break-out groups. All presentations will be invited. Our goal is to have fun, build connections among those interested in emotion regulation (faculty, post-docs, students), and share ideas about new directions in emotion regulation research.

The 6th Annual SAS Positive Emotions Preconference will feature state-of-the-science research on positive emotions. The Positive Emotions Preconference is designed to bring researchers together from a variety of fields to advance the science of positive emotions using a data-centric approach. We encourage thinking, discussing, and integrating across disciplines, and feature speakers that range across research lab traditions, to promote diversity in positive emotion research. This year’s preconference will feature talks showcasing the latest findings in the field and ample opportunities for collaborative discussions and for attendees to connect with one another. The day will culminate with a panel session with Barbara Fredrickson, Judy Moskowitz, and Paula Niedenthal, who will discuss, and perhaps debate, the future of the field. Abstract submissions for talks and posters will be solicited (deadline: January 15, 2019). Submissions are welcome from researchers at all career stages.

The Speed Networking Event will provide attendees the opportunity to interact with several leaders in the field of affective science, briefly and in an informal setting. Each networking event attendee will get to meet one-on-one with several of these mentors. This meeting will give mentees an opportunity to introduce themselves and ask the mentor questions related to their research, career advice, or any other burning questions they have. Each of these meetings will last around five minutes, after which mentees will rotate to meet with another host. Faculty and industry hosts will include: Lisa Feldman Barrett (Northeastern University), David DeSteno (Northeastern University), Phoebe Ellsworth (University of Michigan), Alan Fiske (UCLA), Dan Foti (Purdue University), James Gross (Stanford University), Ann Kring (UC Berkeley), Jennifer Lerner (Harvard Kennedy School), Bob Levenson (UC Berkeley), Terry Maroney (Vanderbilt University), Batja Mesquita (University of Leuven), Paula Niedenthal (University of Wisconsin, Madison), Michael Norton (Harvard Business School), Kevin Ochsner (Columbia University), Tali Sharot (University College London), Leah Somerville (Harvard University), and Heather Urry (Tufts University).