Following the energy and inspiration of the 2025 ACBS World Conference in New Orleans, a group of dedicated researchers came together for a landmark event: the first-ever ACBS Science Retreat. Designed to deepen collaborative work and expand the reach of Contextual Behavioral Science (CBS), the retreat was an exciting and meaningful step forward for our scientific community.
Over the course of the retreat, participants engaged in dynamic presentations and rich, interdisciplinary conversations centered on the integration of human-centered design, rigorous intervention testing, and implementation science. By bringing in new scientists from fields beyond CBS, the group broke down disciplinary silos and sparked fresh thinking about how CBS can contribute to global well-being. A shared sense of purpose emerged, especially around a collaborative paper that began taking shape during the retreat. The group left motivated and ready to roll up their sleeves to bring this work to life.
Among the many highlights, was being joined by Dr. Kenneth Ngure. Dr. Ngure traveled 27 hours from Rwanda to attend—just days after being named the new President of the International AIDS Society at their annual meeting. His insights on implementing behavioral interventions in low-resource settings brought depth and global perspective to our discussions. More than that, he brought a warmth and curiosity that left a lasting impression on everyone present.
This retreat marked a meaningful evolution in how we conduct CBS research—one that values depth, dialogue, and diversity of thought. We’re excited for what’s ahead and grateful to everyone who contributed to this groundbreaking gathering.