On behalf of the Faculty of Psychology and Education Sciences of the University of Porto, it is my great honour to welcome you to ICAR9 – the 9th International Conference on Adoption Research. ICAR9 will take place from the 6th to the 9th of July 2026, in Porto. The ICAR9 Opening Session will take place at 5:30 pm on Monday, 6 July. 

ICAR9 will be a unique opportunity for researchers and professionals from around the world working in the field of adoption to come together, build networks, and explore new avenues of research and intervention. Our shared goal is to contribute to the well-being of adopted persons and their families. 

ICAR9 will be preceded by a Pre-Conference Day on the 6th of July, dedicated to Early Career Researchers, featuring a rich programme tailored to those committed to advancing adoption research. 

Following the main conference, the 10th of July will be devoted to a Post-Conference Day for Families and Professionals. During this day, the voices of adoptees and adoptive families will anchor reflection on how practice and research can best address the realities of contemporary adoption. 

ICAR9 will showcase the latest and most relevant knowledge on the evolving landscape of adoption and its implications for practice. We warmly invite you to join us and contribute to the ongoing exchange of ideas in this ever-expanding field. 

We hope you enjoy ICAR9 and look forward to welcoming you in person!