Several attendees at that conference, relaxing over a drink in the hotel bar, decided that the meeting had been very successful and a valuable exchange of ideas and data among schizophrenia researchers. They all agreed that it would be great to have such a meeting of schizophrenia researchers annually, and thus the organization was born. The first meeting of the organization was held in William James Hall on the Harvard University campus from October 23rd through the 25th, 1986. The organization has been meeting each fall since then, returning most recently for the thirteenth annual meeting in Boston. The organization has grown from a small group of researchers on schizophrenic psychopathology to a roster of over 200 of the top researchers in all areas of psychopathology.
Membership is restricted to established researchers in the field of psychopathology.
The meetings provide both formal and informal opportunities to share ideas, information, and suggestions, all of which improve the quality of the research conducted by members. The organization remains small by professional organization standards, preferring to have intimate conferences where all members attend virtually all sessions. To learn more about the organization, click on the topis in the menu at the left of the screeen.