Berkshire Association for Behavior Analysis and Therapy – 2025 Annual Report
By Stacie Bancroft
Babat 2025: MA Behavior Analysts
Babat continues to evolve and thrive as a collective of passionate behavior analysts, united not only by a shared commitment to scientific excellence but also by the strength of our local, supportive community. As we continue to grow, the ties between our members—across practice areas, research fields, and student bodies—are stronger than ever, pushing the boundaries of what we can achieve together.
Babat is guided by the leadership of our Board of Directors, with oversight from our Executive Director. This year, our President, Dr. Jill Harper, has continued to push forward her vision to strengthen the connections within the Massachusetts behavior analytic community. In her opening address at this year’s conference, Dr. Harper emphasized the importance of fostering a culture of collaboration, where our members can be both supported and empowered to contribute meaningfully to the growth of the profession.
Under her leadership, Babat has continued to refine its systems, expand its initiatives, and encourage members to engage actively in shaping the future of the field. Dr. Harper works closely with Babat Executive Director, Dr. Stacie Bancroft, the Babat Board of Directors (now comprising 20 Directors and Assistant Directors representing 16 diverse affiliations), over 30 committee members (drawn from more than 20 distinct affiliations) and our advisory groups. Our membership, now exceeding 3,500 professionals, includes practitioners from a broad range of fields, including autism services, academic faculty, researchers, graduate students, and more.
The Babat Conference remains a cornerstone of our professional community, and this year’s event was a resounding success. Our hybrid format, which drew attendees from across Massachusetts and beyond, allowed for diverse participation, and the event showcased an expanded list of over 40 invited speakers and a series of panels focusing on cross-disciplinary collaboration in line with our conference theme. Building on last year’s success, we introduced additional opportunities for networking, including facilitated roundtable discussions, and several hands-on workshops designed to promote professional development in a more interactive and intimate setting.
But our conference is just one part of the robust offerings we provide throughout the year. In 2025, we have expanded our calendar to include more than 25 events, with highlights including:
- Monthly Member Roundtables: Continuing our commitment to professional practice, these virtual sessions offer a space for behavior analysts to discuss common challenges, share insights, and develop solutions together.
- The Babat Social: Our in-person networking event saw an incredible turnout, providing a relaxed yet productive atmosphere for members to connect on both professional and personal levels.
Babat is also committed to honoring the achievements of our members, and in 2025, we recognized many professionals and students for excellence in their professional practice.
Babat is undertaking several exciting projects that will enhance our offerings and services to members. Notably, we have migrated to a new membership platform that will provide new ease and benefits to our members. We have also launched a new website.
In addition, we are focusing on increasing student engagement and support. This year, Babat has reduced the costs of event access for students and increased our student support services.
Lastly, Babat is continuing to explore innovative ways to make a positive impact on the field of behavior analysis beyond our local community. We are especially excited about our ongoing work with environmental sustainability—our members are already leading the way in this important area, and we’re committed to continuing to promote and support research and practices that are both behaviorally sound and ecologically responsible.
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