ISSBD recognizes outstanding contributions to behavioural development, developmental science, international scholarship, the application of research, and service to the Society through several awards.
Notes: * The 2020 ISSBD Biennial Meeting was cancelled because of the COVID-19 pandemic. The recipients of the 2020 scientific awards were presented with their awards at the 2022 Biennial Meeting in Rhodes.
†Deceased.
ISSBD Distinguished Scientific Contribution Award
The ISSBD Distinguished Scientific Contribution Award honors an individual who has made distinguished theoretical or empirical contributions to basic research, student training, and other scholarly endeavors in behavioural development. The award is based on the scientific merit of the individual’s work and its significance in generating new empirical or theoretical directions in the study of behavioural development.
Previous Awardees
| Award year and conference | Awardee (s) |
|---|---|
| 2026 — Incheon | Robert Coplan |
| 2024 — Lisbon | Brett Laursen |
| 2022 — Rhodes | Robert Bradley |
| 2020* | Xinyin Chen |
| 2018 — Gold Coast | Marcel Van Aken |
| 2016 — Vilnius | Håkan Stattin |
| 2014 — Shanghai | Christopher Hertzog |
| 2012 — Edmonton | Wyndol Furman |
| 2008 — Würzburg | Terry Moffitt & Avshalom Caspi (joint recipients) Nancy Eisenberg |
| 2006 — Melbourne | Jack Block† |
ISSBD Distinguished Scientific Award for the Applications of Behavioural Development Theory and Research
This award honors an individual whose theoretical or empirical contributions to behavioural development have advanced the understanding or amelioration of important practical problems. The recipient’s work must have contributed both to the science of behavioural development and to the application of that science for the benefit of society. Such contributions may include advocacy, direct service, public policy, education, or other activities through which developmental science improves the welfare of children, adults, and families.
Previous Awardees
| Award year and conference | Awardee |
|---|---|
| 2026 — Incheon | Suman Verma |
| 2024 — Lisbon | Ellen Skinner |
| 2020* | Abraham Sagi-Schwartz |
| 2018 — Gold Coast | Todd Little |
| 2016 — Vilnius | Richard Lerner |
| 2014 — Shanghai | Heidi Keller |
| 2012 — Edmonton | Rainer K. Silbereisen |
| 2008 — Würzburg | Catherine Cooper |
| 2006 — Melbourne | Lea Pulkkinen |
ISSBD Award for Distinguished Contributions to the International Advancement of Research and Theory in Behavioural Development
This award honors distinguished and enduring lifetime contributions to international cooperation and the advancement of knowledge in behavioural development.
Previous Awardees
| Award year and conference | Awardee(s) |
|---|---|
| 2026 — Incheon | Silvia Koller, Julie Bowker, & Antonella Marchetti |
| 2024 — Lisbon | Christina Salmivalli |
| 2022 — Rhodes | Frosso Motti |
| 2020* | Barry Schneider |
| 2018 — Gold Coast | Marc Bornstein |
| 2012 — Edmonton | Rachel Seginer |
| 2008 — Würzburg | Ken Rubin |
| 2006 — Melbourne | Cornelis (Kees) van Lieshout |
| 2004 — Ghent | Willard W. Hartup† & Harold Stevenson† |
ISSBD Young Scientist Award
The ISSBD Young Scientist Award recognizes an early-career scientist who has made a distinguished theoretical contribution to the study of behavioural development, conducted a program of research of distinction, or contributed significantly to the dissemination of developmental science.
The award recognizes sustained contributions rather than a single outstanding work. Scientists are eligible within seven years of completing their doctoral degree.
Previous Awardees
| Award year and conference | Awardee(s) |
|---|---|
| 2026 — Incheon | William Andrew (“Drew”) Rothenberg |
| 2024 — Lisbon | Marlie Maes |
| 2022 — Rhodes | Laura Taylor |
| 2020* | Thao Ha |
| 2018 — Gold Coast | Rebecca Collie |
| 2016 — Vilnius | Radosveta Dimitrova |
| 2014 — Shanghai | Loes Keijsers & Jelle Sijtsema |
| 2012 — Edmonton | Michael Pluess |
| 2010 — Lusaka | Jaap Denissen & Su Yeong Kim |
| 2008 — Würzburg | Gertjaan Overbeek |
| 2006 — Melbourne | Qi Wang |
ISSBD Lifetime Achievement Award
Previous Awardee
| Award year and conference | Awardee |
|---|---|
| 2024 — Lisbon | Marc Bornstein |
Award of Lifetime Membership
The Award of Lifetime Membership recognizes longstanding and distinguished service to ISSBD and to the field of lifespan developmental science
Criteria
Recipients will normally:
- Have been members of ISSBD for at least 30 years and usually be retired.
- Have made substantive contributions to ISSBD over time, such as serving on committees, delivering keynote addresses at Biennial Meetings, regularly attending Biennial Meetings, or publishing in the International Journal of Behavioral Development.
- Have made significant contributions to developmental science, as demonstrated by prestigious appointments or honors, an influential publication record, or substantial scholarly impact.
Lifetime Members
| Year Awarded | Lifetime Member |
|---|---|
| 2020* | Kenneth Rubin, University of Maryland |
| 2015 | Anne Petersen, University of Michigan Rainer Silbereisen, University of Jena Barry Schneider, University of Ottawa Zhaolan Meng, Peking University |
| 2013 | Jacqueline Goodnow†, Australia Willard W. Hartup†, University of Minnesota Rolf Oerter†, Ludwig-Maximilians-University of Munich Sir Michael Rutter†, Kings College London |