Institute for the Psychology of Black Womanhood Scholars (IPBWS)
MARCH 5 & 6, 2027 8:30AM- 5:00PM
Psychology of Black Womanhood
Research, Teaching & Community
Second Annual Institute for thePsychology of Black Womanhood Scholars (IPBWS)
Friday March 5 & Saturday March 6, 2027
Spelman College, Atlanta GA
Building on the interdisciplinary scholarship of The Psychology of Black Womanhood, the Institute seeks to cultivate and sustain a national network of Black feminist academic psychologists and scholars. Designed for doctoral students, postdoctoral scholars, pre-tenure faculty, recently tenured faculty, and established scholars, IPBWS supports participants across career stages as they navigate academia, strengthen scholarly identities, and build sustainable and impactful careers.
Held the two days following the Psychology of Black Womanhood Symposium, the IPBWS provides an opportunity to move from a larger public conversation into a more intimate community focused on connection, mentorship, professional development, and collective growth.
Throughout the Institute, IPBWS Fellows will lead thought-provoking conversations, interactive workshops, and reflective sessions addressing both professional and personal development. Participants will also engage in facilitated small-group roundtables focused on the realities and priorities of academic life. These conversations provide space to ask questions, exchange strategies, reflect on shared experiences, and develop meaningful relationships with peers and senior scholars.
Every element of IPBWS is intentionally designed to foster connection, collaboration, reflection, and action. Participants will engage directly with scholars whose work is helping shape the future of Psychology of Black Womanhood while gaining insights and strategies that are both academically rigorous and practically useful.
Whether you are joining us for the first time or returning for your second year, IPBWS is a place to reconnect, recharge, expand your network, and invest in the next stage of your scholarly journey.
Come for the professional development. Return for the community. Leave with connections that continue long after the Institute ends.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is eligible to participate?
We warmly welcome Black women scholars in psychology and closely related fields to apply! The Institute for the Psychology of Black Womanhood Scholars (IPBWS) is designed for scholars from the doctoral level through established academic careers. Whether you are a doctoral student, postdoctoral fellow, early-career faculty member, mid-career academic, or established scholar, there is a place for you!
Given the Institute’s focus on advanced scholarly development, professional growth, and research collaboration, applicants must be enrolled in a doctoral program or have already earned a doctoral degree. Undergraduate and master’s-level students are not eligible to participate.
We encourage applications from scholars across all institution types, including research universities, teaching-focused institutions, HBCUs, and community colleges. Wherever you are in your doctoral or professional scholarly journey, we invite you to join this growing community of Black women scholars!
Is admission to the IPBWS competitive?
Yes! The IPBWS is a selective program that receives more applications than available spaces. To foster meaningful connections, candid conversations, and engaging experiences, participation is intentionally limited to a small group of scholars. Given the competitive selection process, all accepted participants receive the designation of IPBWS Fellow, recognizing their selection to join this unique community of scholars committed to advancing the psychology of Black womanhood.
Is there a cost to participate?
We are committed to making the Institute an accessible and valuable professional development experience. Registration is $50 for doctoral students and $200 for all other participants, including all sessions, workshops, materials, meals, and refreshments.
While the Institute cannot offer additional travel funding at this time, we encourage applicants to explore institutional support. All accepted participants become IPBW Fellows and will present their research during a formal poster session. These scholarly designations and presentation may provide an opportunity to request conference travel or professional development funding from your home institution.
When will acceptance decisions be announced?
The selection committee will review applications and make decisions during the week of December 1, 2026. Official acceptance notifications will be sent on December 15, 2026.
We receive far more applications than the 40 available spaces, reflecting the enthusiasm for this unique opportunity to connect, learn, and grow together. To ensure your application receives consideration, please submit all materials by the stated deadline. Late applications will not be accepted or reviewed.
Do accepted IPBW Fellows have to present a poster?
Yes! All accepted participants will present a research/ teaching/ theoretical poster as part of the Institute's formal scholarly program. This presentation provides an opportunity to showcase your research interests, share your work with fellow scholars, receive feedback, and spark meaningful conversations and potential collaborations.
Importantly, the poster session constitutes a formal scholarly presentation, which may help IPBWS Fellows qualify for conference travel, research, or professional development funding through their home institutions. We encourage applicants to explore these funding opportunities, as institutional policies and eligibility requirements vary.
Is there a virtual option?
No. The Institute is intentionally designed as a private, fully in-person experience that prioritizes authentic connection, candid dialogue, and meaningful community building. Bringing scholars together in a shared space creates opportunities for spontaneous conversations, deeper reflection, mutual support, and relationships that are difficult to replicate virtually.
Our interactive workshops, small-group discussions, mentorship opportunities, and informal gatherings are designed to foster trust, encourage open exchange, and build lasting connections. Being physically present is central to the Institute experience, allowing Fellows to fully engage with one another and contribute to a supportive scholarly community that extends well beyond our time together.
Do I have to attend the Psychology of Black Womanhood Symposium held the day before?
No, attendance at the Psychology of Black Womanhood Symposium is not required, but we warmly encourage Fellows to attend both events! Held the day before the Institute, the Symposium offers an exciting opportunity to engage with leading scholars, explore timely research, and connect with a broader community before continuing those conversations in the Institute's more intimate setting.
Please note that the PBW Symposium registration is separate from the IPBWS. Acceptance into the IPBWS does not automatically register you for the Symposium, so Fellows wishing to attend both events must register for each separately. We hope you'll take advantage of the full experience!
2027 IPBWS Application
We invite Black women scholars in psychology and closely related fields to apply for the Second Annual IPBWS. Whether you are joining us for the first time or returning to continue building connections from last year, we hope you’ll be part of this growing community of scholars committed to supporting, uplifting, and learning from one another.
The application portal closes Friday November 20 at 11:00 PM (EST).
Space is limited; we can only accept 40 participants. So we encourage you to apply during the application window and join us for an experience centered on community, connection, mentorship, and professional growth.
Photos from the 2026 IPBWS
