The role of ISSBD in developmental science: Views of Past Presidents

The International Society for the Study of Behavioral Development (ISSBD) emphasizes multidisciplinarity and contextuality in studying human development across the lifespan. This article reports the oral histories of seven Past-Presidents about their accomplishments in leading ISSBD to promote these aspects using a developmental science framework. The narratives include information about motivations for activities and insights that shaped their presidency. Prominent among about a dozen such instances were endeavors to increase the worldwide representation of ISSBD, and to gain insights to improve the strengths of ISSBD. Some Past Presidents have explicitly addressed the pursuit of developmental science in ISSBD publications, and all have promoted it through programs such as regional workshops that are particularly appropriate for the next generation of developmental scientists from countries around the world living under different cultural conditions (e.g., dealing with socio-political changes, military conflicts and health risks such as COVID). All Past Presidents have worked to increase financial support from scientific foundations; additional revenue was gained by negotiating more favorable contracts with publishers and by establishing investment funds. Developmental science with its emphasis on multidisciplinary and international orientations was further promoted at the Biennial Meetings and by publications such as the International Journal of Behavioral Development .