Development: A Canadian Developmental Psychology Conference

The Development 2026 Invited Program

Keynote Lectures

The first keynote address was delivered on June 2nd by Dr. Mara Brendgen. The Pickering Lecture, our second keynote address, was delivered on June 3rd by Dr. Daniel Ansari, recipient of the 2026 Pickering Award for Outstanding Contribution to Developmental Psychology in Canada.

Mara Brendgen, Ph.D.
Professor
Université du Québec à Montréal

Daniel Ansari, Ph.D.
Professor and Canada Research Chair
Western University

CERC in Developmental Science Invited Symposium: Canadian Researchers Addressing Real-World Challenges for Children and Families

Invited Symposium Chair: Sara Hart, Ph.D. Canada Excellence Research Chair in Developmental Science, University of Waterloo

Presenters:

Jennifer Khoury, Ph.D. Tier II Canada Research Chair in Interdisciplinary Studies in Neuroscience, Mount Saint Vincent University

Paweena Sukhawathanakul, Ph.D. Assistant Professor, University of Victoria

Ashley Chung-Fat-Yim, Ph.D. Assistant Professor, University of Manitoba

Katherine T. Cost, Ph.D. Assistant Professor, University of Waterloo

This invited symposium, sponsored by the Canada Excellence Research Chair in Developmental Science, showcases innovative research from four emerging scholars whose work spans critical areas of developmental science across Canada. From understanding early brain development and neurodevelopmental risk, to fostering positive youth development and social responsibility, to examining how children navigate complex social and linguistic environments, to identifying predictors of mental health trajectories, these scholars are generating research with direct implications for supporting children’s wellbeing. Their work exemplifies developmental scientists who bridge basic science and real-world application, using cutting-edge methods to address pressing questions facing Canadian families.

Small Humans and Smart Machines: Researching Childhood in the Age of AI

Invited Panel Discussion Chair: Shaylene Nancekivell, Ph.D. Associate Professor, University of Manitoba

Presenters:

Katelin Neufeld, Ph.D. Researcher, Canadian Centre for Child Protection

Tiffany Cheng, M.A. PhD student, Carleton University

This interdisciplinary panel explored how children understand, engage with, and form beliefs about generative artificial intelligence (GenAI). Panelists discussed practical, methodological, and theoretical considerations for studying children and AI. The session aims to highlight open questions, share best practices, and inspire new research in this growing area among developmental scientists. The panel was structured as a moderated Q&A, followed by an open discussion with the audience.

Festschrift for Prof. William M. Bukowski 

Invited Symposium Chair: Melanie Dirks, Ph.D. Professor, McGill University

Presenters:

Robert Coplan, Ph.D. Chancellor’s Professor, Carleton University.

Jonathan Santo, Ph.D. Professor, University of Nebraska.

Ana Velasquez Niño, Ph.D. Professor, Universidad de los Andes & Lina Saldarriaga, Ph.D. Chief Operations Officer, Aulas en Paz.

Melissa Commisso, M.A. Doctoral Candidate, Concordia University.

Ryan Persram, Ph.D. Assistant Professor, Toronto Metropolitan University.

This symposium celebrates the foundational contributions of Prof. William M. Bukowski to our understanding of the social development of children and adolescents.  Prof. Bukowski’s work has elucidated the core provisions of friendship, highlighted the ways in which friendship may promote healthy development, and mapped the behavioral correlates of peer acceptance and rejection.  By looking at these questions through a cross-cultural lens, he has advanced understanding of the ways in which context shapes social development. In this session, Prof. Bukowski’s former students and colleagues discussed ongoing research that builds on Prof. Bukowski’s scholarship.

Kids and Screen Use: Canadian Clinical Practice Guidance and Research Priorities

Invited Panel Chair: Janice Cohen, Ph.D. CHEO, Digital Health Task Force, Canadian Paediatric Society

Presenters:

Stacey A. Bélanger, MD, FRCPC, Ph.D. CHU Sainte-Justine Hospital, Digital Health Task Force, Canadian Paediatric Society

Janice Cohen, Ph.D. CHEO, Digital Health Task Force, Canadian Paediatric Society

Daniel Hipp, Ph.D. Children and Screens: Institute of Digital Media and Child Development

Just over a decade ago, the Canadian Paediatric Society (CPS) published its first position statement on children and screen use. Since then, how children and youth use screens has changed dramatically. This panel brings together a paediatrician working in developmental medicine, a clinical psychologist, and a cognitive scientist to discuss how research, clinical guidance, and knowledge translation have changed in this time. Speakers discussed current research findings and evidence gaps, how clinical guidance and interventions continue to evolve, and challenges and opportunities associated with knowledge sharing beyond academic and scientific circles. The session was structured in two parts: a presentation by the speakers, followed by a Q&A with session participants.

Important Conference Information

Development 2026: A Canadian Conference on Developmental Psychology took place from June 2-3 in Montreal, at the Westin Hotel, the two days prior to the Canadian Psychological Association’s 2026 Annual Convention.

View and download the final conference program

Past Conferences

Mentoring Lunch

Visit this page to learn more about the Mentoring Lunch at Development 2026.

Sponsors

We are grateful for sponsorship support for Development 2026 from the Canadian Psychological Association (https://cpa.ca) and the Canadian Neurodevelopmental Research Training Platform (https://cannrt.ca).

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