EABA History
The European Association for Behaviour Analysis (EABA) has a rich history rooted in the development and promotion of behaviour analysis in Europe. Established in 1999, EABA was formed as a professional organisation to advance the science and application of behaviour analysis across various domains.
Its inception was a response to the growing recognition of behaviour analysis as a powerful approach for understanding human behaviour and improving lives. EABA has been instrumental in fostering collaboration, disseminating research, and providing a platform for practitioners, researchers, and educators to exchange knowledge and ideas.
Over the years, the association has organised numerous conferences, workshops, and events, bringing together professionals from different countries and disciplines. EABA's history is a testament to its commitment to promoting evidence-based practices and its ongoing efforts to enhance the understanding and utilisation of behaviour analysis throughout Europe.
Please enjoy this nostalgic look back at our history and feel free to send any suggestions for revisions to the EABA secretary.
History of EABA
“The idea of a European Association for Behaviour Analysis (EABA) was first suggested at the 4th International Congress on Behaviourism in November 1998 in Seville. During that congress an informal meeting took place that was attended by Fergus Lowe, Pauline Horne, and Tim Miles from Wales; Per Holth, Erik Arntzen, and Arne Brekstad, Norway; Paolo Moderato, Italy; Rafael Moreno, Spain; and Peter Harzem, USA. At that meeting it was decided to start preliminary work on creating the EABA. Further discussions were held at the EABG1999 conference in London and a committee was elected during this meeting to consider the administrative, financial, and professional issues associated with the creation of a Europe-wide association. The EABA Committee consisted of Mecca Chiesa, Scotland (now in Kent); Julian Leslie, Ireland; Michel Sokolowski, France; Rafael Moreno, Spain; Fergus Lowe, Wales; J.A. Farsethaas and Arne Brekstad, Norway; Luis Pérez-González, Spain; Harrie Boelens, Netherlands; and Paolo Moderato, Italy.
At the EMEAB IV meeting in Amiens in 2000 a decision was taken to formally establish the EABA that would seek to develop and promote behaviour analysis throughout Europe. At the meeting Professor Fergus Lowe was appointed the initial Chair of the EABA. Further discussions were held to develop the EABA at the 2001 EABG meeting in London and at the first International meeting of the Association for Behavior Analysis in November, 2001 in Venice.
In the EABG meeting Phil Reed was appointed interim President of the EABA by the attendees of the EABG business meeting. The initial goals of the EABA were (a) to act as a unifying body to promote behaviour analysis across Europe; (b) to organise the European congresses in experimental and applied behaviour analysis; (c) to foster collaboration between the member countries and organizations outside Europe (e.g., the Association of Behavior Analysis International); (d) to establish and maintain a web site; (e) to support the publication of the European Journal of Behaviour Analysis (EJOBA); and (f ) to work towards developing a democratic organisation representing behaviour analysts from both applied and basic domains from all countries in Europe.” (Hughes, 2007).
Since then, the following positions on the Board of Directors were held (please let us know if you have corrections or information to fill the gaps, thank you):
President:
2001- Interim Steering committee: Phil Reed, UK
2008-2013 Eric Arntzen, Norway
2013-2015 Robert Mellon, Greece ;
2015-2017 Zulma Gabriella Sigurðardóttir, Iceland
2017-2020 Eric Arntzen, Norway
2020-2021 Mickey Keenan, N.Ireland
2022-2024 Aifoe McTiernan, Ireland
2024- ... Karola Dillenburger, Germany; N.Ireland
Past-president
2015-2017 Robert Mellon
2017-2020 Zuilma Gabriela Sigurðardóttir
2020-2022 Erik Arntzen
Secretary:
2008-2011 Javier Virues-Ortega, Spain
2011-2015 Borge Stromgren, Norway
2015-2020 Christoph Bördlein, Germany
2020-2023 Catherine Storey, N.Ireland
2023-2025 Francesco Sulla, Italy
Treasurer
2001- Interim Steering committee: Geraldine Leader, Ireland
2008-2011 Nanni Presti, Italy
2011-2013 Lise Roll-Petterssen, Sweden
2013-2017 Karola Dillenburger, Germany; N.Ireland
2017-2020 Alexandra Herman
2020-2022 Hanna Steinunn Steingrimsdottir
2022-2023 David Cole, Germany
2025-… Martin Rasmi Krippendorf, Norway
Applied representative
2008 Neil Martin UK
2013-2015 Neil Martin, UK
2015-2017 Christos Nikopoulos, Greece
2019-2020 Ciara Padden
2021-2024 Berglind Sveinbjörnsdóttir, Iceland
2024-… Karel Panchoca
Experimental/Basic Representative
2008-2012 Ricardo Pellon, Spain
2013-2015 Martti Tuomisto, Finland
2015-2017 Torunn Lian, Norway
2017-2021 Ricardo Pellon, Spain
2022-2024 Gabriela (Gabi) E. López-Tolsa
2024-… Jesus Alonso, Spain
Student Representative
2025-… Sergio Ramos Solis, Spain
Conferences:
2000 Amien, France Link to
2003 Parma, Italy, Link to
2005 Gdansk, Poland, Link to
2006 Milan, Italy Link to
2008 Madrid, Spain Link to http://eaba.bangor.ac.uk
2010 Rethymno, Crete, Greece link to https://nzaba.wordpress.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/08/eaba-crete-2010-information.pdf
2012 Lisbon, Portugal link to https://www.europeanaba.org/about-us/newsletter-archive/preview?path=Newsletter%2BJan%2B2012.pdf
2014 Stockholm, Sweden link to https://www.behaviorism.panteion.gr/images/pdfs/Programme_of_Events_EABA_Stockholm_2014.pdf
2016 Enna, Sicily Link to https://europeanaba.org/about-us/newsletter-archive/file-path?path=Newsletter%2BMay%2B2016.pdf
2018 Würzburg, Germany link to https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/15021149.2020.1847920
2022 Tampere, Finland Link to https://events.tuni.fi/eaba2022/
2024 Brno, Czech Republic . Link to https://eaba.ped.muni.cz
2026 Bucharest, Romania
Crete (2010)
This conference was at the University of Crete, Greece. The scientific program included 37 events: 20 paper sessions, 11 symposia, and 6 keynote addresses. In addition, 25 posters were exhibited, and a presidential address served as the opening of the conference. Invited presenters were Gina Green (Implementing Evidence-Based Guidelines for Autism Treatment), Giulio Lancioni (Assistive Technology for Behavioural Interventions for Persons With Severe, Profound and Multiple Disabilities), Julian Leslie (Animal Models of Psychiatric Disorders: Behaviour Analysis Perspectives), Maria Malott (ABAI and International Developments), Jerry Shook (The Behavior Analyst Certification Board and International Credentialing), and Richard Shull (Bouts, Changeovers and Operant Units).
Lisbon (2012)
The conference venue was at both the University of Lusíada and the Cultural Centre of Belem, Portugal. Altogether, the scientific program included 37 events: 12 symposia, 18 paper sessions, and 7 keynote addresses. In addition, a regular poster session with 65 posters and 8 Expo posters was held, and a presidential address served as the opening of the conference. Invited speakers were Jennifer Austin (School-Based Functional Analyses With Typically Developing Children: Considerations for Research and Practice), Chris Bradshaw (Some Recent Work on the Behavioural and Neural Basis of Inter-temporal Choice), Bill Heward (Climate Change and the Global Need for Sustainable Practices: Opportunity, Challenge, and Responsibility for Behaviour Analysis), Peter Killeen (The Five Causes of ADHD), Robert Mellon (Transitions to Safety in Avoidance: Experimental Findings and Clinical Implications), Paolo Moderato (Behaviour Analysis of Human Behaviour: The 4 P’s Analysis), and Gabríela Sigur›ardóttir (Some Thoughts and Concerns About the Education of Behaviour Analysts).
Stockholm (2014)
The conference venue was at Stockholm University, Sweden. The scientific program included 35 events: 16 paper sessions, 14 symposia, and 6 keynote addresses. In addition, a poster session with 49 posters and 14 Expo posters was held. Invited speakers were Shahla Alai-Rosales (Advising an Experimental Thesis in Applied Behavior Analysis: A Data-Based Program Description), Mecca Chiesa (Implications of the Conceptual Analysis of Behaviour for the Future of Behaviour Analysis), Camille Ferond (Organizational Influence), Iver H. Iversen (The Importance of Basic Research for Successful Application of Behavior Analysis), John C. Moore (Why Study Radical Behaviorism as Philosophy?), and Niklas Törneke (Relational Frame Theory for Clinical Use). A presidential address served as the opening of the conference.
Enna (2016)
The conference was hosted at Kore University of Enna, Sicily, Italy. Altogether, the scientific program included 55 events: 25 symposia, 24 paper sessions, 1 panel discussion, and 5 keynote addresses. In addition, a poster session, opening session, and presidential address were a part of the program. The invited speakers were Angelika Anderson (Technology-Assisted Interventions to Teach Work Skills to Adults With Autism Spectrum Disorders), Lanny Fields (How Meaningful Stimuli Enhance Equivalence Class Formation), Wayne Fuqua (Improving the Effectiveness and Accountability of ABA Service Delivery Through Evidence-Based Practice Strategies), Ricardo Pellón (How Reinforcement Theory Can Inform Us About Problematic Behavioral Excess), and Alan Poling (Extending the Scope of Applied Behavior Analysis: APOPO as a Case Study).
Würzburg (2018)
The conference was co-organized by the Faculty of Applied Social Sciences and School of Social Work at the University of Applied Sciences, Würzburg, Germany. The conference’s scientific program included 48 events: 22 paper sessions, 18 symposia, 2 panel discussions, and 6 keynote addresses. In addition, the conference included one poster session with 26 regular posters and one Expo session with 5 posters, as well as an opening session and a presidential address. The invited speakers were Sigur›ur Óli Sigur›sson (Behavioral Safety: Research and Practical Considerations), Nancy Marchand-Martella (When It Comes to Best Practices in Instruction, Remember to Be Like Kevin Bacon! ), Carol Pilgrim (Translational Research and Stimulus Equivalence), James Todd (How We Got Here and Why We Probably Should Have Looked Out the Window on the Way: Some Personal Reflections on the Current Status of Behavior Analysis—With Pictures), Maurice Feldman (Behavior Analysis in Child Welfare: Contextual Behavioral Assessment and Intervention to Prevent Child-Neglect in At-Risk Families), and Mark Mattaini (Behavioral Systems Science for Social Action).
2020 was cancelled due to Covid-19 Pandemic
2022 Tampere Finland
2024 Brno, Czech Republic
On behalf of the organizing committee, I would like to extend our deepest gratitude to all the attendees who took the time to join us at this lovely conference. Your participation, enthusiasm, and thoughtful contributions have truly made this event a success. We are humbled and honored by the presence of such a diverse and talented group of professionals. Your insights, ideas, and engagement have enriched the discussions, and we believe they will continue to inspire growth and collaboration long after this event. We also recognize the time and effort each of you invested in attending. Your commitment to advancing knowledge in the field of Behaviour analysis is what drives progress, and we are grateful to have been a part of that journey. Thank you once again for your invaluable support, and we look forward to future opportunities to learn and grow together. Warm regards, Karel Pančocha, Organizing Committee Chair, EABA Conference 2024 in Brno.
Summer Schools:
2015 Rethimno, Crete, Greece link to https://europeanaba.org/about-us/eaba-history?view=article&id=93:1st-eaba-summer-school&catid=15
2017 Cádiz, Spain link to https://catedraaba.uca.es/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/2017-EABA-Summer-School-Programme3.pdf?u
And link to https://catedraaba.uca.es/evento/2017-eaba-summer-school/
2019 Pelci, Latvia link to https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdesvm2NWZbhK3raw3liyKAM4uHVGF_TqKyQkTQy3XqGxl4Qg/viewform?pli=1
2025 Online link to https://behaviorlive.com/organizations/EABA/home; also see EABA Blog by Scott Graham from12 August 2025
BF Skinner student awards: link to https://europeanaba.org/about-us/newsletter-archive/file-path?path=Newsletter%2BMay%2B2016.pdf
2016 Anastasia Salma, Greece. Ms. Salma’s dissertation research is a conceptual and theoretical analysis of the effects of differential reinforcement of variability (VAR) schedules that emerged in an analysis of failures to generate desired levels of variability in autistic children. Ms. Salma will use the award to purchase experimental equipment, including a computer.
Ruth Kopperud, Norway. Ruth’s research focuses on methods to teach discrimination between benign and malignant melanoma. Ms Kopperud will use the award to get professional artists to design the necessary stimuli to be used in the discrimination training.
2017
2018 Nicole Pfaller-Sadovsky, N.Ireland
2019
2020
2021.
2022
2023 Sima Mart, Turkey and Marlon Palomino, Spain
2024 Erna Dögg Pálsdóttir, Iceland and Sergio Ramos, Spain
2025 María Fernández-Shaw, Spain and Konstantina Psiachou, Greece
References
Arntzen, E., & Pellón, R. (2021). A view on the development and current situation of behavior analysis in Europe. Behavior and Social Issues, 30(1), 346–360. https://doi.org/10.1007/s42822-021-00068-w
Hughes, C. J. (2007). The Experimental Analysis of Behaviour Group, UK and Europe. European Journal of Behavior Analysis, 8(2), 105–107. https://doi.org/10.1080/15021149.2007.11434277
de los Santos, M., Hernández Eslava, V., Ávila, M., Alarcón Moya, E. C., Scolari, C., Ulloa, G., Jimenez-Gomez, C., Febres Cordero, D., Parejo, V., Chavez-Askins, M., Pezzotti, G., Vergara, D., Urcuyo, B., Argueta, L. R., Arroyave Tefel, J., Morhaim Esquenazi de Sfadia, R., Ríos Arroyo, E. I., Padilla Dalmau, Y. C., Gilbert, M., & Rodríguez, A. (2024). Regulation of behavior analysis in 15 countries of Latin America: Assessing the challenges and opportunities for implementation of the science. Behavior Analysis in Practice. https://doi.org/10.1007/s40617-024-01004-1
Keenan, M., Dillenburger, K., Konrad, M.-H., Debetencourt, N., Vuksan, R., Kourea, L., Pancocha, K., Kingsdorf, S., Brandtberg, H. J., Ozkan, N., Abdelnour, H., Da Costa-Meranda, M., Schuldt, S., Mellon, R., Herman, A., Tennyson, A., Ayvazo, S., Moderato, P., Attard, N., … Gallagher, S. (2022). Professional development of behavior analysts in Europe: A snapshot for 21 countries, Behavior Analysis in Practice. Behavior Analysis in Practice. https://doi.org/10.1007/s40617-022-00754-0
Kelly, M. P., Martin, N., Dillenburger, K., Kelly, A. N., & Miller, M. M. (2018). Spreading the news: History, successes, challenges and the ethics of effective dissemination. Behavior Analysis in Practice. https://doi.org/10.1007/s40617-018-0238-8
Kelly, M. P., & Trifyllis, I. (2022). Developing national occupational standards for behavior analysis. European Journal of Behavior Analysis, 23(2), 196–214. https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.1080/15021149.2022.2137654
Further reading (de los Santos et al., 2024; Keenan et al., 2022; Kelly et al., 2018; Kelly & Trifyllis, 2022)