Groningen, The Netherlands
August 2025
Health Psychology
From August 25 to 29, 2025, Groningen welcomed over 800+ academics, researchers, students, and practitioners from 50 countries, including Mexico, Malaysia, and Zambia, for the 39th Annual Conference of the European Health Psychology Society (EHPS). Hosted at the five-star Martini Plaza in Groningen, the conference was organized by University Medical Center Groningen under the auspices of the European Health Psychology Society. The theme, Putting Health Psychology to Work: Prevention, Practice and Policy, provided the foundation for a rich academic and social program.
The Scientific Committee, chaired by Professor Val Morrison with Dr. Laura M. König as co-Chair, oversaw the academic quality of the program, curating diverse and innovative contributions from health psychology researchers worldwide. On the other hand, the Local Organizing Committee, led by Professor Adelita Ranchor, delivered a welcoming conference experience. Reflecting on the event’s success, Professor Ranchor noted: “The EHPS 2025 conference truly demonstrated the strength of our community—through collaboration, commitment, and inspiring exchanges, we would like to thank all the participants for their contribution to the field”.
The conference coincided with the historic celebrations of Gronings Ontzet, adding cultural depth to the experience. Participants enjoyed a welcome reception at Martini Plaza, featuring canapés and drinks, surrounded by the beauty and charm of Groningen. The conference dinner at the historic Martini Church created a memorable atmosphere of fellowship and celebration. The lively after-party featured the beloved EHPS band and the singing of the EHPS anthem. Throughout the week, vegetarian lunches and coffee breaks reflected the society’s commitment to sustainability and health. Many participants expressed admiration for Groningen’s historic architecture, canals, and vibrant cultural scene, which provided a unique backdrop to the event.
Academic Program & Awards
The academic program offered a wide range of sessions across six key tracks: Health Psychology in Context, Health Psychology and Health Systems, Health Psychology Across the Lifespan/Family, Health Behaviour and Theory, Health Psychology and Illness/Biological Psychology, and Methodology. Participants engaged in 5 pre-conference workshops and meetings, including the CREATE Interactive Workshop, EMPOWER Grant Writing Workshop, SYNERGY Expert Meeting, CREATE Meet the Experts, and a hands-on session on AI-driven qualitative analysis. The Poster Session featured more than 250+ presentations, showcasing cutting-edge research from around the world.
Keynote speakers inspired and informed the audience with high-impact lectures: Dr. Ellen Smets (Amsterdam UMC) on Anatomy of a clinical consultation: unraveling patient-provider communication; Dr. Sabine Sonnentag (University of Mannheim) on Work and Well-Being: A Three-Layer Perspective; Dr. Justin Presseau (Ottawa Hospital Research Institute) on Moving from single to multiple behaviour approaches: Behaviour systems for health behaviour and healthcare practice change; and Dr. Theresa Marteau (University of Cambridge) on Changing Behaviour at Scale to Protect our Health and Planet: What Stops Us?
The opening ceremony also celebrated excellence in the field through the EHPS Awards.
- Dr. Nelli Nankonen, Dr. Wendy Hardeman, Dr. Jutta Mata, Dr. Gjalt-Jorn Peters, and Dr. Ryan E. Rhodes were honored with the EHPS Fellowship Award.
- Dr. Josianne Kollman and Dr. Daniel Phipps received the Stan Maes Early Career Award.
- Dr. Alea Ruf received the Herman Schaalma Award for her PhD thesis in health psychology.
- Dr. Hannah Long was recognized with the EHPS OS SIG Student Award.
- The EHPS Travel Sustainability Award was presented to Dr. Maëlle Fleury, Dr. Jessica Schiller, and Dr. Christoph Bamberg.
Looking Ahead
The EHPS community now looks forward to its 40th Annual Conference, which will take place in Paphos, Cyprus, continuing the tradition of innovation, collaboration, and excellence. The new website has already been published, so please stay tuned for constant announcements.
Acknowledgments
The University Medical Center Groningen is one of the largest academic hospitals in the Netherlands, known for combining high-quality patient care, cutting-edge research, and education. It plays a leading role in advancing health sciences and improving public health at national and international levels.
The European Health Psychology Society (EHPS) is a leading international organization dedicated to promoting empirical and theoretical research in health psychology and fostering the application of psychological knowledge in health promotion, prevention, and healthcare delivery.
The event was professionally supported by EasyConferences, which provided the Online Registration System, Abstract Submission Platform, and Conference Coordination Services.
