Founded in 2015, the International Association for the Study of Affective Touch (IASAT) is a scientific society established to support and advance the scientific enquiry, education and dissemination of ideas around affective touch and related fields.
Since its inception, IASAT has developed an international and interdisciplinary community, bringing together researchers and practitioners working across psychology, neuroscience, medicine, psychiatry, developmental science, engineering, the social sciences, and therapeutic disciplines.
Aims and Values
The core aims of IASAT are to:
- Recognise and advance fundamental and applied science in the study of affective touch.
- Promote awareness of the importance of touch across the lifespan for physical and mental health, wellbeing, and development.
- Encourage evidence‑based practice in contexts where touch plays a critical role, including mental health, caregiving, education, and therapy.
- Support informed discussion of social, cultural, and regulatory contexts that shape how touch is understood, permitted, valued – or undervalued.
Community and Activities
To further our aims, IASAT members host and participate at international scientific meetings, interdisciplinary workshops – and the biennial IASAT conference provides a dedicated forum for researchers and practitioners to share findings, discuss emerging directions, and build connections across disciplines.
IASAT encourages collaboration and exchange, as well as dialogue beyond the research community, supporting initiatives that promote public understanding of touch science and its relevance to everyday life.
Membership
IASAT welcomes members from around the world who share an interest in the study of affective touch and its implications for research, practice, policy, and society. Membership is currently free, and reflects our members’ commitment to scholarship, collaboration, and respectful engagement.
IASAT members are subscribed to our email mailing list, which is used to share updates about meetings, activities, and relevant developments when appropriate. As the website continues to develop, we hope it will provide a helpful overview of affective touch research and a point of connection to our international research community.
IASAT Meetings & Events
Find out more about IASAT events including:
- IASAT2025 – Jena, Germany
- IASAT2023 – Festival of Touch (in collaboration with ResearchInTouch) – Marseille, France
- IASAT2019 – Linköping, Sweden
- IASAT2017 – Liverpool, UK
- IASAT2015 – London, UK
For more information about IASAT, please contact the IASAT president:
Rochelle Ackerley, CNRS – Aix-Marseille University, France
For website & mailing list queries:
Please contact the website administrator.