What Is the Conference History?
AABSS was founded by Drs. Norma (University of Tampa) and Bill (Eckerd College) Winston in 1998 with Norma having served as the association president until 2013. Dr. Lorenzo Cherubini, a previous AABSS Journal editor noted the following in a recent journal article introduction: “In many respects, it also marks the thoughtful, insightful, and visionary outcomes Norma and her husband, Dr. Bill Winston, imagined nearly 2 decades ago. The American Association of Behavioral and Social Sciences was created, in its inception, to be a distinct venue wherein collaborative networks of scholars, clinicians, educators and practitioners could openly share their work in a non-judgmental and supportive environment. For Drs. Winston, the conference was to serve as a platform to develop scholarship, foster collegial interactions, and allow both emerging and established colleagues to, as Norma herself describes, ‘spread their wings.’ In this way, both Norma and Bill envisioned an opportunity to personalize teaching, learning, practice and scholarship.”
Dr. Winston retired as the association president in 2013 and Dr. Michael Firmin assumed leadership at that time. To the Director's role, Dr. Firmin brought the personal experience of having presented over 160 papers at national and international conferences, as well as having authored over 120 articles that have been published in peer-reviewed journals. The word "association" has been used in the AABSS title in a relatively informal manner under the direction of Dr. Firmin. The conference is the means by which scholars and professionals associate together and there are no formal dues, memberships, or requirements of those who attend the annual conference. Since its inception, the conference has always been held in Las Vegas around February.
In addition to the conference, AABSS also currently publishes a quarterly printed, peer-reviewed journal (JBSS), comprised of various papers submitted at the annual conference, as well as manuscripts from outside of the conference. Information about the current journal is available HERE (and discontinued publications are located HERE).