Inclusion, Accessibility, and Growth at The ABP
When The Association for Business Psychology (ABP) was first formed 25 years ago, its Founders shared a simple but powerful belief: that psychology at work should be accessible to everyone who applies it responsibly and ethically, not only those with a specific academic path or professional label. They wanted to open the doors to a wide community of practitioners, whether they were studying, practising, or simply inspired by the potential of psychology to make working lives better.
From the outset, The ABP’s Founders saw accessibility and inclusivity as essential to building awareness of Business Psychology and to developing the capability of all those who could apply its principles at work. That ethos remains at the heart of the organisation today. We are a not-for-profit, volunteer-led association with modest membership fees, designed to make professional belonging and development achievable for as many people as possible.
Honouring Our Heritage Through Action
Today, our agenda of Guardianship and Growth continues that founding commitment. As guardians, we protect the integrity and reputation of our field, ensuring that high standards remain accessible to all who share our values. As catalysts for growth, we nurture learning, innovation, and connection across our diverse global community.
In practical terms, this ethos is reflected in the way we operate and the policies we have introduced:
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Inclusive Membership: We welcome members from all backgrounds. There is no requirement for a specific academic credential or psychology qualification to join; what matters is your interest in the practical application of psychology at work to improve people’s experiences.
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Affordability: Because The ABP is volunteer-led and not-for-profit, we keep costs to a minimum. We pass that on to members. For example, entry to our annual Awards programme is free of charge, and all students are offered discounted rates throughout their studies, from BSc to PhD.
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Support During Life Events: Through our Life Events Policy, members experiencing parental leave, illness, or unemployment can access a period of free membership, allowing them to remain part of our professional community during potentially challenging times.
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International Inclusivity: We now offer discounted international membership to make participation fairer across borders, ensuring global voices and perspectives are represented in our community.
Looking Forward Together
Each of these initiatives demonstrates that inclusivity is not only part of The ABP’s history but also part of its living practice. We continue to evolve while staying true to our values of fairness, accessibility, and community.
As we celebrate our 25th anniversary, we reaffirm our commitment to those founding principles: to champion Business Psychology as a force for good; to recognise and celebrate high standards in practice; and to foster a thriving community where all who share our purpose can belong, contribute, and grow.
We invite everyone who shares these values – whether you are an experienced practitioner, an aspiring student, or simply someone curious about applying psychology at work – to join us, get involved, and help shape the next 25 years of progress in Business Psychology.