Applied Behaviour Analysis Conferences in the UK and USA
I’ve always found Applied Behaviour Analysis (ABA) fascinating — the way it merges science, compassion, and logic really appeals to both the helper and the mathematician in me. I used to ride motorcycles, too, but my partner got (understandably) nervous, and to be honest, they are a bit pricey! So these days, I keep my thrills limited to learning something new about behaviour analysis.
One of the best ways to do that — and to meet others who share the same passion — is through conferences. Below, I’ve put together a guide to some of the main ABA conferences in both the UK and the USA: when they typically happen, what’s presented, who attends, and what research says about their value.
ABA Conferences in the United Kingdom
UK-SBA Annual Conference
The UK Society for Behaviour Analysis (UK-SBA) runs the flagship ABA conference in the UK. The first event was held in July 2024, and the next one will take place from 9–10 March 2026, with workshops on 11 March. It’s a fantastic event that blends science, practice, and community. The conference features symposia, panels, and workshops covering ethics, supervision, equality, diversity, inclusion (EDI), and practical applications of ABA across sectors.
Attendees usually include UKBA(cert)s, associate members, Positive Behaviour Support (PBS) practitioners, educators, academics, and even commissioners and autistic advocates. It’s a wonderful snapshot of the UK’s behaviour analysis community in action.
EABG – Experimental Analysis of Behaviour Group
The EABG conference typically takes place every couple of years, historically in locations such as London or Bangor. It’s a great fit for people who enjoy the experimental and analytical side of behaviour analysis (I wish I could attend). The focus is on basic and translational research, often featuring single-case designs, lab-based studies, and data-rich presentations. The audience is a mix of academics, postgraduate students, and practitioners who enjoy the nuts and bolts of behavioural science.
BILD International Positive Behaviour Support (PBS) Conference
Run by the British Institute of Learning Disabilities, the BILD PBS Conference is usually held in May, with both in-person and online options. This event attracts practitioners, managers, and commissioners across health, social care, and education. Topics typically include restraint reduction, co-production, organisational leadership, and embedding PBS values into services. Although the focus is on PBS, the overlap with ABA is strong, particularly in the application of behaviour analytic principles at a systems level.
ABA Conferences in the United States
ABAI Annual Convention
The Association for Behavior Analysis International (ABAI) Annual Convention is the world’s largest and most prestigious ABA event. It takes place every year over Memorial Day weekend in rotating U.S. cities. In 2025, it will be in Washington, D.C., and in 2026, it moves to San Francisco. The scale is mind-blowing: thousands of sessions covering basic, applied, and translational research, poster sessions, workshops, and networking events.
You’ll find everything from the latest studies on behaviour analysis in healthcare to symposia on organisational behaviour management, ethics, and education. It’s a brilliant way to stay current — and perhaps a bit overwhelming for quieter souls like me (though worth it once you’re there).
ABAI Autism Conference
Every January, ABAI hosts a dedicated Autism Conference. This event focuses on practical and ethical issues in autism services, including functional assessments, assent-based practice, and supervision. It’s smaller than the main convention, which makes it more intimate and easier to network.
APBA Annual Convention
The Association of Professional Behavior Analysts (APBA) conference usually happens in March. It’s a very practice-focused event, covering licensure, funding, supervision, ethics, and organisational topics. If you’re a working practitioner, this is where you’ll find concrete tools and updates that apply directly to day-to-day services. The 2025 event is in Dallas, and 2026 will be in New Orleans.
State and Regional Conferences
Several U.S. states have their own ABA conferences, which are often smaller but just as valuable:
- CalABA (California) – February/March
- TxABA (Texas) – April
- FABA (Florida) – September
- BABAT (Massachusetts) – October
- SEABA (Southeast) – October/November
- MABA (Maryland) – December
These events offer excellent value for money, especially if you’re after CEUs or practical workshops without the scale (or jet lag) of ABAI.
WIBA – Women in Behavior Analysis
Held in July, WIBA focuses on professional development, leadership, mentorship, and equity within the field. It’s an inclusive and supportive space where behaviour analysts of all backgrounds come together to discuss gender equity and leadership in the profession.
APBS – Association for Positive Behavior Support
The APBS conference, usually held in March, brings together ABA and PBS practitioners focused on large-scale and systemic change in schools, health services, and communities. It’s particularly relevant for anyone working in PBS-driven services or PBS leadership.
What’s Usually Presented
Across these conferences, you’ll find a blend of symposia, panels, workshops, and poster sessions. Presentations cover everything from ethics and supervision to behavioural skills training, single-case design, and data systems. You’ll also see emerging trends such as assent-based practice, trauma-assumed approaches, and cultural responsiveness in ABA.
Workshops often offer CEUs (Continuing Education Units) for certification maintenance. Many events also include meetings of special interest groups (SIGs), which are a great way to connect with others who share your professional interests.
Who Attends
These conferences attract a broad range of people: certified behaviour analysts, PBS practitioners, educators, speech and occupational therapists, academics, commissioners, autistic advocates, and students. There’s a healthy mix of science, practice, and lived experience — and plenty of people quietly clutching coffee and discussing functional analyses like it’s the most normal thing in the world (which, to be fair, it is in our circles).
Why Attend? (The Research and the Reality)
Research across disciplines has shown that conferences significantly improve knowledge exchange, professional collaboration, and career development. In the world of ABA, they also serve as a vital platform for dissemination — bridging the gap between research and practice.
Publications like Behavior Analysis in Practice have discussed how conferences extend the reach of ABA beyond journals, helping to share evidence-based practice in more accessible, community-focused ways. ABAI’s Science Ambassador Programme even funds behaviour analysts to present in underrepresented regions, further highlighting the importance of conferences for dissemination.
In more personal terms, attendees often describe conferences as a huge morale boost. They provide CEUs, practical takeaways, and the chance to network and collaborate. They also help us remember that we’re part of a much larger, passionate, and principled community.
When They Usually Happen (Quick Reference)
- January – ABAI Autism Conference
- March – APBA, CalABA, and APBS Conferences
- April – TxABA
- May – BILD PBS Conference (UK) and ABAI Annual Convention (USA)
- June–July – WIBA and (occasionally) EABG
- September – FABA
- October – BABAT and SEABA
- December – MABA
- March (UK) – UK-SBA Annual Conference
My Own Reflections
If I had to pick which ones to attend, I’d probably go for the UK-SBA Conference for the professional connections, APBA for its practical relevance, and BILD or APBS for their PBS approaches.
For feeding my “maths and data” side, EABG and ABAI would be perfect. They’re places where you can get lost in graphs and single-case designs for hours, which, honestly, sounds like bliss to me.
State-level conferences like BABAT or FABA are great if you’re on a budget or need to fit things around family life (I have three children, so I understand the importance of timing and value for money). And, yes, they’re still cheaper than getting back into motorcycling!
Conferences are where our field really comes alive. They remind us that behind every data sheet, every intervention, and every ethical debate are real people trying to make a positive difference — something that’s at the heart of my own work and purpose.