Melbourne, Australia • 21-23 March, 2026
Founded in 2008 by Cameron Anderson (UC-Berkeley) and Frank Flynn (Stanford University), the PSI Network is a curated, invitation-only consortium of the world’s most respected scholars of social hierarchy. Most of the membership comprises psychologists, sociologists, and management scholars studying individuals; however, we're eager to welcome colleagues examining groups, organizations, and societies, from disciplines including economics, history, anthropology, political science, philosophy, and more.
PSI’s roughly-biannual conference has been held at Stanford, Northwestern, NYU, London Business School, and UC-San Diego. In 2026, it comes to Australia for the first time; we're excited to introduce our stellar academic membership to the most vibrant and cultured city in the region, and to foster stimulating discussions and new opportunities for collaboration. As always, PSI Network Conference attendance is curated to ensure the highest quality in discussions and presentations. We regret that doctoral students are not invited to the conference (other than those from the host university).
Because the 2026 conference requires more travel than usual for most attendees, our organizers (Jen Overbeck and Nick Hays) have created a new and more substantial format for the conference. The main academic conference spans two days, Sat 21 and Sun 22 March, and features some of the most exciting scholars in this field, including Adam Galinsky, Nate Fast, Corinne Bendersky, Michelle Ryan, Hannah Riley Bowles, Nickola Overall, and Jennifer Tackett; plus flash talks by Charleen Case, Hemant Kakkar, Sonya Mishra, Feng Bai, Siyu Yu, and Ashley Martin. Then, for the first time at a PSI conference, the Monday program welcomes members of the business community and features PSI-member book authors and mixed scholar-industry panel discussions. This Collaborative Program (Monday, 23 March) is open to members of selected organizations.
The conference programme is now publicly available.
Registration is now open!
Please book right away -- early-registration rate is good until 15 December. Registration Link: https://www.eventbrite.com.au/e/power-status-influence-network-conference-2026-academic-registration-tickets-1969997698146?aff=oddtdtcreator
Hotel information:
We have reserved blocks of rooms at two hotels near MBS:
1) Zagame's, 66 Lygon St., Carlton VIC
Reserve an Urban King room for a discounted rate that varies by night ($250-320). Book online with a direct PSI-code link; if prompted, use code Power26. We have learned that a better rate is available through the negotiated MBS affiliate agreement. Please use MBS15 as your registration code--the urban king room will be $199-250. Anyone who booked using Power26 prior to January 15 will have the more favorable code applied to their reservation.
2) Veriu Queen Vic Market, 91-111 Therry St., Melbourne VIC
Reserve a Veriu Suite for $266/night with 48-hr cancellation policy. Book online and add corporate code MBS24.
Dinner information:
The official conference dinner is from 6:30-9:30pm on the first night of the conference (Saturday, March 21). Please see the Saturday dinner page for details (page is limited to those signed in on the website--please sign in at upper right!).
On Sunday night, we've made small-group (6-8 person) bookings at six of the most lauded restaurants in Melbourne. Please see the Dining page for details and a link to the sign-up sheet for these dinners. You'll need to sign up by March 1, and it's first-come, first-served (or as Aussies say, first-in, best dressed).
While you're in Melbourne:
As you'll learn from the dining page, Melbourne is a foodie paradise. And the 2026 Melbourne Food and Wine Festival is going on from March 20-29, perfectly synced with PSI.
If you're staying for a few days after the conference ends, check out some of the great acts at the Melbourne International Comedy Festival, which starts on March 25th.
If you are interested in having some optional activity organized for Monday (options include a wineries tour in the Yarra Valley or Mornington Peninsula; a Great Ocean Road tour; or driving some distance to see native wildlife in a non-zoo setting), please This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. and/or keep an eye out for a poll asking about people's interest.