International Conference on Psychobiography

• Important dates
• ➡️ Register
• Payment
• Program
• Speakers
• Instructions & Presentations
• FAQ
• Venue
• Conference committees

Welcome to the official website of the first International Conference on Psychobiography, which will take place in the magnificent historic center of Prague!In September 2026, we will gather to foster mutual enrichment in the field of modern qualitative psychobiographical approaches. On these pages, you will find all essential information related to the event.The conference is open to both active participants (presenters) and passive participants (attendees). A special student section will be dedicated to students who wish to present the outcomes of their master’s theses and doctoral dissertations. The proceedings of the conference will be published in a volume issued under the auspices of Charles University.Conference abstract
We cordially invite you to the first International Conference on Psychobiography, which will be held at the Department of Psychology, Faculty of Education, Charles University in Prague, on the 22nd and 23rd of September 2026The event is intended for psychologists, historians, and other scholars engaged in psychobiographical research, as well as in qualitative research with a focus on case studies. It is also open to students of these fields and offers a unique opportunity to become more closely acquainted with a modern interdisciplinary approach.We are pleased to announce that the keynote speakers will be two leading representatives of this field: Dr. Zoltan Kovary (Eötvös Loránd University, Hungary), who specializes in articulating the phenomenological and hermeneutical foundations of the psychobiographical approach, and Prof. Claude Helen-Mayer (University of Johannesburg, South Africa), whose work focuses on the use of contemporary methods in psychobiographical inquiry.The conference offers a unique opportunity to engage with innovative scientific approaches, deepen your expertise in psychobiography, case studies, and qualitative methods, connect with colleagues, and share your own insights. We warmly encourage both active and passive participation, including the presentation of papers, case studies, methodologies, and practical experiences. We look forward to welcoming you!What is Psychobiography?
Psychobiography, sometimes also referred to as psychohistory, is an interdisciplinary scholarly approach that predominantly employs psychological theories in order to explain the personality, motives, or actions of well-known historical figures—often geniuses, artists, or transgressors. It seeks to address the question of seemingly illogical or unexpected behavior exhibited by such individuals. Psychobiography attempts to answer inquiries such as: “Why did this person act in precisely this way?”, “Was he not aware that his conduct was destined to fail?”, “What led her to make this decision?”, and so forth. Through systematic psychological analysis, psychobiography provides coherent, often surprising, and at times fascinating interpretations of the nature and motivations of selected historical personalities.To achieve its objectives, psychobiography combines psychological methods with those drawn from other disciplines, most notably historiography, but also anthropology, sociology, and related fields. Within its scope, particular attention is given to the application of psychological theories of personality, the broadening of historiographic source analysis and its uses, as well as the interpretation of the “spirit of the age.” In sum, psychobiography is concerned primarily with the development of case studies of historical figures and with refining the methodological frameworks that serve this endeavor.Are you interested in historical personalities? Have you developed a psychological profile of one of them? Are you engaged in methodological research on historical data of a personal nature and its application in biographical interpretation? Do you create or evaluate psychobiographical case studies? Are you a humanities scholar or a university student exploring modern qualitative approaches?
If so, this conference has been designed especially for you.For any questions, please consult the FAQ section or contact us directly at: [email protected]We look forward to welcoming you in September 2026!

important dates

Below you will find all key deadlines related to the conference. Please review them carefully to avoid missing any of the deadlines.Registration
Registration for active participation is open until the 30th of April 2026.
Registration for passive participation remains open until the start of the conference. Online payment for passive participation is open until the 14th of June 2026.The conference fee for active participants is 120 EUR (3 000 Kč); for passive participants 70 EUR (1 750 Kč) – See Payment for details.Early bird registration
Participants registering by 31 January 2026 are entitled to a reduced conference fee.
The reduced fee for active participants is 100 EUR (2 500 Kč), while the reduced fee for passive participants is 55 EUR (1 375 Kč).Conference dates
The conference will take place on the 22nd and 23rd of September 2026, at Myslíkova 7, Prague 1.Publication of proceedings
The anticipated outcome of the conference will be an electronic volume of abstracts submitted by active participants. More information about the proceedings will be announced during the conference.

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PROGRAM

The conference will be held on the on the 22nd and 23rs of September 2026. On the first day, keynote lectures and presentations from the first round of active participants will take place.The second day will feature the conference roundtable, presentations from the student section, and the second round of the main section.
In the evening following the conclusion of the first day’s program, a social gathering for all participants is planned.The detailed conference program, including the schedule of individual sessions, will be published in 2026 after the close of registration with a contribution.

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PAYMENT

Conference fees
The conference fee for an active participant with a presentation is 120 EUR (3 000 Kč)
The conference fee for a passive participant without a presentation is 70 EUR (1 750 Kč)
The fee covers admission for both conference days.Early Bird Fee
Participants who register by 31 January 2026 are entitled to a reduced fee. The Early Bird rate applies only to full admission for both days of the conference.
Reduced fee for active participants: 100 EUR (2 500 Kč)
Reduced fee for passive participants: 55 EUR (1 375 Kč)Student Fee
University students, including postgraduate students, are eligible for a reduced conference fee:
Active participants with a presentation (student section): 50 EUR (1 250 Kč)
Passive participants without a presentation: 20 EUR (500 Kč)One-Day Participation Fee
The conference fee for one-day participation is:
Active participants: 70 EUR (1 750 Kč)
Passive participants: 40 EUR (1 000 Kč)Payment Instructions
After submitting your registration, you will receive an automated confirmation email.
Passive participants without a contribution will be contacted within a few days and will receive instructions by email on how to pay the registration fee.Active participants with a contribution will be contacted within 20 days of submitting their registration regarding the acceptance of their proposed abstract. If the contribution is accepted, payment instructions will be sent by email.Payments are made via bank transfer.As of 14 June 2026, the option to pay by bank transfer will be discontinued. New participants will be required to pay the registration fee on site at the conference venue.

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INSTRUCTIONS AND PRESENTATIONS

The first day of the conference is dedicated to keynote lectures and presentations by active participants in the main section. The second day will include the conference roundtable followed by presentations from both the main and the student sections. See Conference program.The main conference hall will be equipped with a data projector, microphone, and whiteboard. For any inquiries regarding technical equipment, please contact the organizers (see Contact us).Active participants in both the main and student sections are required to submit their abstracts by April 30 2026 (see Important dates).Each presentation will last 20 minutes, followed by a 10-minute discussion. Please ensure that your presentation does not exceed the allotted time.We recommend preparing your slides in PowerPoint. Presentations must be submitted via email no later than one week before the start of the conference to [email protected]. Please name your file using your full name. The organizers will then verify its compatibility.Suggested topics for presentations include a psychobiographical case study, methodology of psychobiography, ethical considerations, the historical development of the field, its conceptual significance, its contemporary applications etc. Based on the submitted abstract, the scientific committee will determine whether the proposed topic is suitable for inclusion in the program. The committee reserves the right to adjust or decline proposals that are not relevant to the scope of the conference.Refreshments
Light refreshments and beverages will be provided. Coffee and snack vending machines will also be available on-site. Numerous restaurants and cafés are located in close proximity to the conference venue.Social Evening
Following the program of the first day, a social evening will take place at a restaurant in Prague. Please note that the conference fee does not cover refreshments during the social evening. Details regarding the venue and timing of this event will be announced (see Conference program).The organizers reserve the right to adjust the program.We look forward to your contributions and to welcoming you to Prague!

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FAQ

Who is the conference intended for?
The conference is intended for anyone interested in psychobiography. This may include psychologists, historians, or colleagues from other disciplines. Students of these fields who are intrigued by the focus of the conference are also welcome.I'm not a psychologist or historian. Is the conference for me?
Yes, anyone who finds the offered topics appealing is welcome to attend the conference as a passive participant.What languages is the conference held in?
The conference presentations are in English. The organizational aspects of the conference are conducted in English or Czech.Why should I be interested in the conference as a psychologist?
Among other things, the conference offers a unique insight into the possibilities of qualitative research in modern psychology. It presents opportunities for interdisciplinary collaboration with other scientific disciplines and showcases the outcomes of its scientific methodology.Why should I be interested in the conference as a historian?
First and foremost, the conference presents opportunities for collaboration between historiography and psychology. It outlines the benefits of such cooperation, which include the application of psychological theories to biographical data. The program also anticipates the presentation of numerous case studies of historically significant figures, with an emphasis on the psychological determinants of their actions.Who is the event organized by?
The conference is organized under the auspices of the Department of Psychology at the Faculty of Education, Charles University.Will I receive a certificate of attendance?
Yes, certificates of attendance will be issued on the second day of the conference.Is remote participation or a recording of the conference available?
At present, neither remote participation nor a recording of the conference is planned.Is a social evening part of the event?
Yes, a social evening will take place between the two days of the conference. For more information, see the Conference Program.How can I cancel my participation?
If you are unable to attend the conference but have already paid the conference fee, your registration can be transferred to another interested participant (e.g., a colleague). The conference fee is non-refundable.Will the results be published in the conference proceedings?
Yes, an electronic volume of abstracts submitted by active participants with presentations is planned.Is there a poster session as part of the conference?
No, a poster session is not included in the conference program.

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Venue

Adress
Department of Psychology, Faculty of Education, Charles University
Myslíkova 7
110 00 Praha 1We are located about a 7-minute walk away from the main building of the Faculty of Education, heading towards the river. Our street is perpendicular to the one leading to Mánes Gallery. The lecturers’ offices are located on the 4th floor (5th floor if you’re counting the ground floor). After entering the building, you pass the reception desk and you can use the elevator or the staircase, which will be on your left.How to find us
The nearest tram stop (Myslíkova) is ca. 150 meters away; the following 3 tram stops (Jiráskovo náměstí, Lazarská, Karlovo náměstí) are also relatively close by.The faculty building is also within walking distance from the metro B – Karlovo náměstí and Národní třída stations (both about 7 minutes). You can also use these websites to plan your trip:
ROPID
IDOSAbout us
The Department of Psychology was established as a separate department of the Faculty of Education, Charles University in 1982. Until then, it was part of the Department of Education and provided only the fundamentals of psychology for educational study programmes. However, at that time the department was already conducting purely psychological research and it gradually developed a focus in pedagogical, counselling and school psychology. Later, it was accredited as a guarantor for a psychology study programme.The department also regularly runs several research projects supported by grants from the Grant Agency of the Czech Republic, the Technology Agency of the Czech Republic, ESF+ programmes, etc. These are mostly related to teaching, literacy development, learning and motivation, children’s games and other topics related to school and/or child psychology. A list of key research projects can be found in the Scientific Research section.The department collaborates with a number of organizations. Our main International partner is Europsy. Our study programmes are recognized by Europsy, which allows our graduates to continue their studies or find employment abroad.For more detailed information, please see here

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Conference committees

Scientific Committee
Viera Bačová (Centre of Social and Psychological Sciences, Slovakia)
Martin Brummer (Charles University, Czech Republic)
Ivo Čermák (Catholic University in Ružomberok, Slovakia)
Abigail Jareño Gómez (CEU San Pablo University, Spain)
Miloš Kučera (Charles University, Czech Republic)
Joseph G. Ponterotto (Fordham University, USA)
Stanislav Štech (Charles University, Czech Republic)
Roelf van Niekerk (Nelson Mandela University, South Africa)Organizing Committee
Martin Brummer (Charles University, Czech Republic)
Anna Frombergerová (Charles University, Czech Republic)
Jan Sácký (Charles University, Czech Republic)
Hana Sotáková (Charles University, Czech Republic)

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