Welcome Notes

Message from Kurt F. Geisinger

President of the ITC

Dear Colleagues and Friends

The International Test Commission (ITC) is an association of national psychological associations, test commissions; publishers and other organizations committed to promoting effective testing and assessment policies and to the proper development, evaluation, and uses of educational and psychological instruments as well as individual members. It is one of the most active and impactful bodies among all international associations active in the broad domain of psychology and educational sciences, one that is inclusive of scientists and practitioners. The ITC’s primary goal is to facilitate the exchange of information among its members and to stimulate their cooperation on problems related to the construction, distribution, and use of psychological tests across the world.

The aim of the biennial ITC conference is to achieve this goal through academic and professional development as well as through the promotion of international, interpersonal relationships and professional collaborations by creating opportunities to share personal and professional experiences among persons committed to common values. The ITC’s biennial conference has for many years been a premier event in the world of psychological and educational testing. Practitioners and researchers dedicated to testing and assessment, test developers, testing companies, test publishers, regulators and policy makers: we all come together once every two years to discuss and share important international, regional and national developments in testing and assessment, to share ideas and to contribute to the evolutions of tomorrow in this important domain of knowledge and practice. We believe by sharing internationally, we can all learn from each other!

I am delighted to invite you to the 12th Conference of the ITC from 14-17 July 2020 in the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg. The 2020 ITC Conference will be hosted by the Faculty of Language and Literature, Humanities, Arts and Education of the University of Luxembourg at Belval Campus. The conference date has also been chosen as it will allow you to travel directly from Luxembourg to the ICP congress in Prague.

The conference promises to be an exceptional professional and scientific experience in a unique cultural environment renowned for its vibrancy and cosmopolitan flair. What more could one ask for? We cordially invite you to register for the ITC2020, which promises to be the highlight of the year in testing and assessment.

I am looking forward to meeting you in Luxembourg in the summer of 2020!

Warm regards,
Kurt F. Geisinger, ITC President

Message from Samuel Greiff

Chair of the Local Organising Committee

Dear Colleagues

I am very pleased to invite you to join us for the 12th Conference of the International Test Commission, which will be held in Luxembourg from the 14th to 17th of July, 2020. The Conference will be hosted by the University of Luxembourg at its new and vibrant Belval Campus in Esch-sur-Alzette, the second largest city of the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg. Luxembourg is most renowned for being one of the smallest countries in the world. Some even believe it is a part of Germany or Belgium, and not a country in its own right. But with its flourishing economy, extremely diverse population, and active commitment to research, Luxembourg is the perfect venue to host the 2020 ITC conference.

At the 2020 conference, we will be exploring the theme Diversity and equity in a globalized, digital world: Opportunities and challenges for assessment. The theme not only highlights cultural diversity following from globalisation, but also tackles today’s rapid advancements in the field of technology-based assessment. Our scientific program will be organized around five complementary sub-themes: 1) Test development and validation in international and multicultural environments; 2) Innovations and advances in psychometric theory, modelling, and technologies; 3) Current issues of policy, diversity and equity; 4) Best practices in testing and assessment; and 5) Test security and privacy in a globalized digital world. The themes cover various fields related to assessment and testing (including educational psychology, industrial and organizational psychology, clinical and counselling psychology, personality psychology, psychometrics, language testing, and more) and will be addressed in many different ways, including by distinguished speakers and through innovative workshops.

Despite its small size (2,586km2), Luxembourg boasts with a surprising variety of exciting attractions. The University’s Belval Campus is easily reached from Luxembourg City (a UNESCO World Heritage site) and has fast connections to famous attractions across the Grand Duchy. These include Schengen, Vianden Castle, the Mullerthal-region (Luxembourg’s little Switzerland), and the beautiful Moselle wine county. Be sure to set aside some time in your itinerary for exploring this European microcosm characterised by the diversity of its multicultural society, regional differences, and local particularities. Luxembourg is also strategically located in the heart of Europe and within easy reach of numerous major European and international business centres.

The conference programme will also include ample time for networking and socialising. Don’t miss out on our packed social programme, which includes the opening ceremony, the gala dinner, sightseeing tours, and our new scientific speed dating and mentoring sessions.

My team and I look forward to cordially welcoming you to Luxembourg for an exceptional conference in July 2020.

With kind regards,
Samuel Greiff