More About Our Meeting

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The ISTSS Annual Meeting provides a forum for the dissemination of theoretical work, scientific ‎research, and evidence-based clinical approaches in traumatic stress studies. The annual ‎meeting also includes work aimed at informing public policy. At the annual meeting, professionals ‎and stakeholders develop and strengthen collaborative relationships to move the field of ‎traumatic stress forward. It is an international and interdisciplinary assembly, including ‎psychiatrists, psychologists, social workers, nurses, counselors, researchers, administrators, ‎victim advocates, journalists, clergy, and others with an interest in the study and treatment of ‎traumatic stress.‎

Many individuals around the world experience significant adversity and trauma, including ‎pandemics, war, violence, racism, and historical oppression. Such events impact a wide range of ‎mental, social, and physical health outcomes across the lifespan. While significant advances in ‎the field of traumatic stress studies have been made, the timeline for the dissemination and ‎implementation of research findings into practice is longer than optimal, delaying the positive ‎contributions of science in real-world contexts. There remains a critical gap in translating research ‎findings from laboratory settings to clinical work and ultimately to the broader global community. ‎Hence, there needs to be an ongoing discussion on innovative research, clinical methodologies, ‎and policies that draw from, and combine, traumatic stress theory, basic science, experimental ‎research, clinical insights, and implementation to move the field of trauma research and practice ‎forward.  ‎

The ISTSS 40th Annual Meeting will focus on innovative strategies to apply basic science ‎knowledge to the assessment and treatment of traumatic stress, as well as on the translation of ‎scientific findings into actionable interventions for the global community. In pursuit of this goal, we ‎seek submissions specific to the field of traumatic stress on topics related—but not limited—to:‎

• Application of biomedical science findings to inform assessments and interventions for ‎traumatic stress symptoms/disorders. ‎
• Research investigating the psychological, biological, social and behavioral ‎mechanisms that underlie post-trauma mental health.‎
• Research taking a life course perspective to address to address ‎the spectrum of ‎translational science research.‎
• Evidence-based practices and innovative research in basic science, intervention ‎development and implementation, and policy. ‎
• Innovative transdiagnostic treatment approaches addressing the myriad ‎consequences of trauma.‎
• Cutting-edge research methodologies and statistical frameworks for translational ‎science research.‎
• Ethical implications and considerations associated with the application of translational ‎science in traumatic stress studies.‎
• Ways to effectively communicate and disseminate research to different stakeholders.‎
• Ways to cultivate translational science and interdisciplinary exchange. ‎
• Challenges and debates in the area of translational science.‎
• Translational science as applicable to the global community.‎

Broadly, the scientific content of this meeting aims to bridge the gap between bench, bedside, ‎and implementation in the field of traumatic stress science and enhance a seamless translation of ‎scientific knowledge into meaningful and feasible solutions. Ultimately, the goal of this meeting is ‎to reduce the public and economic health burden of traumatic stress symptoms for the global ‎community and foster patient outcomes, understanding and management of traumatic stress ‎symptoms and community resilience in the face of trauma. ‎You will learn to:

• Discuss foundational concepts and methodologies of translational science in the context of ‎traumatic stress studies globally.‎
• Demonstrate an understanding of the complexities and challenges involved in translating ‎research outcomes from bench to bedside. ‎
• Formulate and implement evidence-based interventions and best practices to integrate ‎scientific research into clinical practice. ‎
• Devise innovation solutions to bridge the gap between scientific discoveries, clinical practice, ‎as well as policy development and public health initiatives.‎