The International Positive Psychology Association (IPPA) is excited to announce the continued development of our Positive Psychology Communities of Practice (CoP). Following a successful one-year pilot in 2022-23, and another successful year in 2023-24, this initiative has now entered its third year, providing a robust platform for professionals, researchers, and practitioners to engage in meaningful exchanges and collaborative learning within the field of Positive Psychology.
What Are Communities of Practice?
A Community of Practice (CoP) is a group of people who share a common interest, profession, or passion and come together to deepen their understanding, share knowledge, and improve their skills related to that area. The community collaboratively engages in regular interactions, discussions, and activities, fostering both individual and collective learning.
Communities of Practice (CoPs) are groups of individuals who share a common passion or profession and come together to deepen their knowledge, share expertise, and advance their practice. These communities are characterised by three core elements:
- Domain: The shared interest or field in which the members of the community seek to advance their understanding.
- Community: A group of individuals who engage in regular interactions, fostering relationships, and creating opportunities for collective learning.
- Practice: The shared experiences, tools, and techniques that members use to improve their professional expertise and impact within the domain.
In CoPs, learning happens through active participation, where members draw from their collective knowledge and experience to support one another’s growth and development.
Positive Psychology Communities of Practice: A Unique Venture
The Positive Psychology Communities of Practice within IPPA are distinctive in their focus on enhancing the knowledge and practice of Positive Psychology. These communities provide a space for members to discuss emerging research and practical applications, and the latest trends in Positive Psychology. Participants collaborate to tackle challenges, create innovative strategies, and share successes in applying Positive Psychology principles and interventions in diverse settings. The insights gained from these communities contribute to the broader Positive Psychology movement, helping to shape its future direction while fostering a sense of belonging and shared purpose.
Goals of Positive Psychology Communities of Practice
The overarching aim of our Positive Psychology CoPs is to:
- Advance knowledge and expertise: Facilitate the exchange of cutting-edge research and practical insights in Positive Psychology.
- Foster collaboration: Create a supportive environment where members can form professional networks, share ideas, and co-create new initiatives.
- Enhance application: Provide practical strategies and techniques that members can apply in various fields.
- Promote global and regional perspectives: Encourage discussions that reflect both the global reach of Positive Psychology and the unique needs of different cultural and regional contexts.
Looking Ahead: Expanding Our Communities
Building on the success of the past two years and the learning gained, we are pleased to announce that in 2025, we are expecting to continue our current Positive Psychology Communities of Practice – East Coast US/CA, West Coast US/CA, Europe, Middle East & Africa, and Asia-Pacific. These regional CoPs are designed to accommodate time zones and cultural differences while fostering international collaboration. We aim to establish more communities as the demand grows and our network of Positive Psychology professionals continues to expand.
The forthcoming cohort of Communities of Practice will open in January 2025 and will run until November 2025 (9 monthly sessions altogether). All meetings are carried out virtually. We invite you to join us in this exciting journey of collaborative learning and growth. Whether you are a researcher, practitioner, or student of Positive Psychology, our Communities of Practice offer a unique opportunity to deepen your engagement with this vibrant field.
We are immensely grateful to our Directors of Communities who have led and managed the project since it was launched and to our Community of Practice leaders who have put many hours of voluntary work into making this project a success: Dr Rona Hart, Liz Corcoran, Duncan Ferguson and Luis Marrero.
For more information please contact the current Director of Communities: Dr Rona Hart at rona.hart@Sussex.ac.uk.
