Unlocking Human Potential Begins with Conversation
- 2 days ago
- 3 min read
Every meaningful journey begins with a conversation.
Sometimes it is a conversation with another person. Sometimes it is a conversation with ourselves. And sometimes it is a conversation with ideas that challenge the way we have always understood the world.
This September, practitioners, researchers and enthusiasts of psychological type will come together in Oxfordshire for the British Association for Psychological Type's International Conference 2026. Under the theme Unlocking Human Potential, the conference will explore how psychological type continues to shape leadership, education, counselling, coaching, organisational development and personal growth in an ever-changing world.
But perhaps the greatest value of an international conference is not simply the programme itself. It is the opportunity to bring together people who share a passion for understanding human behaviour. To exchange ideas, challenge assumptions, discover new perspectives and learn from experiences gathered across cultures, professions and generations.
At a time when authentic human connection feels more valuable than ever, these opportunities matter.
A truly international community
With delegates travelling from around the world, to our unique venue in Oxfordshire, the conference creates a unique environment where conversations continue long after each presentation has ended.
The programme has been carefully designed around three interconnected themes:
Interactions: exploring how we communicate, collaborate and understand one another.
Innovations: discovering new applications for psychological type across modern practice.
Transformations: understanding how type supports growth, resilience and human potential throughout life.
Across keynote presentations, workshops and discussions, delegates will encounter both academic research and practical techniques that can be applied immediately within their own work.
Whether working in coaching, counselling, education, organisational psychology, leadership or personal development, attendees will find opportunities to deepen both their knowledge and their practice.
Meeting our keynote speakers
Ahead of the conference, we had the pleasure of sitting down with each of our keynote speakers for an informal conversation about the ideas they will be sharing in Oxfordshire.
Rather than formal interviews, these discussions offer a glimpse into the people behind the presentations, their thinking, their passion and the questions that continue to drive their work.
Catherine Stothart - Life Stages and Type Development
Jung's theory provides an extraordinary framework for understanding psychological development throughout our lives.
In our conversation, Catherine explains how psychological type evolves through different life stages and how greater self-awareness can help us navigate periods of transition with confidence, curiosity and compassion.
Rob Toomey -There are No Type Monopolies
Can certain abilities really belong to particular personality types?
Rob challenges one of the most persistent assumptions within type practice, inviting us to think beyond stereotypes and recognise the potential for every individual to develop well beyond their natural preferences.
It is a refreshing reminder that psychological type is about possibility, not limitation.
Jane Kise -We Need to Talk: Conversation Strategies for Polarising Issues
In an increasingly divided world, understanding how people think and communicate has never been more important.
Jane explores how personality preferences influence the way we approach disagreement and difficult conversations, while introducing practical strategies that help people move beyond conflict towards genuine understanding.
Her work reminds us that type is not simply a tool for self-awareness, but also a powerful framework for building stronger relationships and healthier communities.
More than a conference
Alongside the keynote speakers, delegates will hear from an exceptional international faculty covering topics including leadership, resilience, organisational transformation, conflict resolution, entrepreneurship, psychological safety, motivation, values-based leadership and innovative approaches to type practice.
The breadth of expertise reflects just how relevant psychological type remains today.
Yet perhaps the most valuable moments won't appear on the programme at all.
They will happen over coffee between sessions. During thoughtful discussions sparked by a presentation. Around dinner tables where strangers become colleagues and colleagues become friends.
These are the conversations that continue to influence practice long after everyone has returned home.
Continuing the conversation
The British Association for Psychological Type exists to encourage thoughtful, evidence-informed conversations about personality and human development.
Events like the International Conference remind us that while our personality preferences may differ, our curiosity about people is something we all share.
We hope these conversations with our keynote speakers offer a small glimpse of the insight, warmth and generosity that make the international type community so special.
Enjoy the videos, and we look forward to continuing the conversation.