The Psychology of Privacy

This year’s theme, “Where Sensemakers Meet Changemakers,” emphasizes the need to bridge theory and practice in privacy research. Privacy is not only a regulatory or technical issue—it is deeply tied to identity, autonomy, relationships, and human flourishing.

Despite its importance, privacy remains underexplored across many areas of psychology and related disciplines. This conference seeks to advance a more human-centered understanding of privacy by examining:

• The psychological processes underlying privacy decision-making
• The role of privacy in identity, well-being, and relationships
• Cross-cultural variation in privacy attitudes and behaviors
• The “privacy paradox” and behavioral inconsistencies
• The design and communication of privacy in real-world contexts
• The intersection of privacy with trust, control, and autonomy
• The role of privacy in emerging technologies, AI, and digital ecosystems

We especially encourage work that connects theoretical insight with practical application, helping organizations better design, communicate, and steward privacy in real-world settings.