The International Transactional Analysis Association (ITAA) is delighted to announce that Joel Vos has been awarded the 2026 ITAA Research Award in recognition of his outstanding contribution to transactional analysis (TA) research and its application in practice. Over the past five years, Vos has played a leading role in strengthening the scientific foundation of TA. Although he has an extensive research background beyond TA, his recent work has made a significant contribution to the development and recognition of TA as an evidence-based approach.

Working closely with Biljana van Rijn, recipient of the 2019 ITAA Research Award, Vos has published a series of influential studies on TA psychotherapy. Together they authored seven major papers, including three articles in the 2021 special research issue of the Transactional Analysis Journal (Vos & van Rijn, 2021a, 2021b, 2021c). Their collaboration culminated in the publication of The Handbook of Transactional Analysis Psychotherapy: An Evidence-Based Approach (Vos & van Rijn, 2025b). This landmark publication brings together the available evidence on TA psychotherapy and provides a comprehensive overview of the field. It presents an evidence-based conceptual model of TA, outlines a standardized treatment approach, and includes a systematic review and meta-analysis of research on the effectiveness of TA psychotherapy.

One of Vos's most important achievements has been helping establish a stronger empirical basis for core TA concepts, including ego states and existential positions. Through his review of research literature and psychometric instruments, he has helped demonstrate how these concepts can be understood and investigated within contemporary research frameworks. The evidence-based conceptual model developed by Vos and van Rijn also offers a common language across different schools of TA. By identifying the concepts they share, it creates opportunities for greater collaboration and comparison between research studies and supports the ongoing development of the field.

Vos's work has had a practical impact as well. The Handbook of Transactional Analysis Psychotherapy provides TA practitioners with a clear framework for understanding psychological difficulties, planning treatment, identifying relevant competencies of professionals, and evaluating outcomes. It offers a model for how TA can be presented within today's evidence-informed mental health environment.

Another important contribution is the systematic review and meta-analysis of TA psychotherapy research. By bringing together findings from studies conducted over several decades, his work provides strong support for the effectiveness of TA and enables TA research to be included in broader psychotherapy reviews and meta-analyses. In addition, Vos conducted a randomized controlled trial on brief TA psychotherapy for depression (Vos & van Rijn, 2025a). The positive findings further strengthen the growing body of evidence supporting TA psychotherapy.

Together, this body of work provides valuable resources for practitioners, trainers, researchers, and national TA associations seeking to demonstrate the scientific basis of TA and promote its recognition within professional and regulatory contexts. Vos will receive the 2026 ITAA Research Award during the TA Research Conference in Rome in December 2026. Congratulations, Joel, on this well-deserved recognition.