Recently several members of our research team had the wonderful opportunity to travel to Glasgow, Scotland, and attend the International Association for Relationship Research (IARR) 2026 Conference. The conference was held July 8–12 at the Technology and Innovation Centre at the University of Strathclyde. For many of us, this was our first international conference, and our first time presenting research to a room full of scholars from around the world.
Tuesday, July 7th and Wednesday, July 8th
We began our journey on Tuesday evening with the first of three flights, departing Chicago and heading into Detroit. After landing, we spent nearly three hours in the airport, using the time to rest, explore local shops, and grab something to eat. Our next flight from Detroit to Amsterdam was just under eight hours and carried us into Wednesday. During the overnight flight we were served dinner, choosing between cheese ravioli or chicken, and did our best to get some sleep before the long day ahead.
We arrived in Amsterdam early Wednesday morning and entered another three-hour layover, which gave us a chance to recharge, walk around, and enjoy the airport’s shops and cafés. Our final flight of the day, from Amsterdam to Glasgow, lasted about an hour and a half. Once in Scotland, we boarded a quick shuttle to the bus station and then walked about fifteen minutes to our hotel, where we dropped off our luggage and prepared for our first dinner abroad.
That evening we ate at Ardnamurchan, a restaurant known for traditional Scottish cuisine sourced from the Highlands and Islands. Many of us tried dishes we had never experienced before, including haggis, which made the meal both memorable and culturally meaningful. After dinner we returned to the hotel to sleep and recover from nearly twenty-four hours of travel, preparing for Thursday, our first full day in Scotland and the first of our presentations at IARR 2026.
Thursday, July 9th
On Thursday morning the team, minus Dr. Sibley, went to breakfast around 9:30 a.m. before attending the first full day of the conference. Later in the afternoon we were scheduled to present “A Pathway to Commitment: Exploring the Steps and Stages Preceding Commitment and Marriage” (click link to view the presentation). Because this was everyone’s first time presenting to a large international audience, we were all feeling a lot of nerves. We spent breakfast discussing the presentation and our plans for the day.
After getting breakfast at a coffee shop across the street from the conference, we headed in to check in and grab our name tags. Once we were registered, we found a cozy spot to continue practicing. At 11 a.m., two of us went to watch the keynote speaker, Tila Pronk of Tilburg University, while the other two completed volunteer hours at registration. After lunch we all met with Dr. Sibley for one last run-through before our 2:00 p.m. presentation.
Our research presentation addressed four questions:
- RQ1: What do emerging adults believe is the purpose of romantic relationships?
- RQ2: What are the steps and stages in a romantic relationship, and how do they progress to a committed relationship?
- RQ3: How do emerging adults feel about marriage and their personal preparation for this committed relationship?
- RQ4: How do the steps and stages that lead to a committed relationship differ compared to previous generations?
Through constructivist grounded theory analysis of nine focus groups (57 emerging adults), thirteen themes emerged:
- Sense of Security and Support
- Provides Purpose and Meaning
- Personal Growth
- Desire for Marriage but Delaying Exclusivity
- Apprehensive about Committed Relationships
- Unified Growth
- Expectation of Cohabitation
- Ducks in a Row
- Building a Foundation
- Investing in the Future
- Clarifying the Commitment
- Technology Increases Romantic Options
- Technology Stalls Commitment Clarification
These findings highlight how complex it has become to navigate romantic relationships for emerging adults, especially at a time when technology expands options but can also delay commitment.
After the presentation, many of us split up to join breakout sessions or complete volunteer hours. When the conference day ended, Dr. Sibley and his wife went out for dinner at Hazel, a stylish city-centre restaurant known for modern Scottish cooking with seasonal, locally sourced ingredients and a calm “urban oasis” atmosphere centred around a striking hazel tree inspired by Glasgow’s city crest. The rest of the team returned to the hotel to rest after the long journey the day before. Later we spent the evening exploring the city and getting dinner. We kept it an earlier night because we needed to be at the conference early Friday morning for volunteer hours.
Friday, July 10th
Friday was a half-day of sessions with optional activities in the afternoon. Several of us completed volunteer hours in the morning, attended sessions, and used the extra space in the schedule to rest and take in more of Glasgow before our final presentation the next morning. That morning we presented as a team, “An Exploration of Parental Divorce and Separation on Emerging Adult Romantic Relationships” (click link to view the poster).
This ongoing constructivist grounded theory study explored how parental divorce or separation shapes emerging adults’ beliefs about commitment and marriage. Twenty-five unmarried emerging adults (12 men, 13 women) participated through intensive interviews. Preliminary analysis revealed seven themes:
- Grappling with Unanswered Questions About Parental Divorce/Separation
- Recognizing Intergenerational Patterns in Parental Struggles
- Experiencing Variability in Post-Dissolution Family Relationships
- Navigating Complex and Ambivalent Feelings Toward Parental Remarriage
- Exercising Caution and Hesitancy in Romantic Partner Search
- Employing Diverse Coping Strategies in Response to Family Disruption
- Drawing on Positive Commitment Models from Extended Family and Friends
A clear pattern of resilient commitment emerged: 24 out of 25 participants still wanted to get married someday. Even after all of the family conflict and upheaval many of our participants had experienced, most of them still indicated that they wanted marriage. During the Fall 2026 Semester we will be doing a final qualitative analysis using Constructionist Grounded Theory.
One unexpected challenge almost kept us from presenting. Our poster tube was lost on the flight to Glasgow, and for a while we worried we wouldn’t be able to share our research. Thankfully the University of Strathclyde came through for us and printed a new copy just in time for our presentation that morning. We were so grateful for their help.
After Dr. Sibley and his wife helped us set up the poster and prepare for the presentation, they visited Glasgow Cathedral (which dates mostly from the 1200s) and the Glasgow Necropolis, two of the city’s most historic landmarks. Other members of the team visited these iconic Glasgow locations later in the week.
After the presentation we boarded a bus and traveled out of the city, taking in the beautiful Scottish countryside along the way. Our destination was Knockderry Castle, a historic castle overlooking Loch Long. The castle is currently owned by BYU Professor Chelom Leavitt and her husband, who are thoughtfully restoring it. Originally designed in the 1850s by the renowned architect Alexander “Greek” Thomson, with later additions by William Leiper, it has some of the most beautiful historic interiors we’ve ever seen. The couple has been documenting their restoration journey on Instagram @knockderrycastle. The tour was truly amazing and included a gifted storyteller who brought the castle’s history and atmosphere to life. It was a memorable afternoon that felt like a special glimpse into both Scottish heritage and the personal restoration journey of a fellow relationship researcher.
That evening Dr. Sibley and his wife dined at Ralph and Finns, an elegant contemporary bar and restaurant housed in a former bank building in Merchant City. It specialises in classic dishes with a modern twist, highlighting the best of Scotland’s local produce, alongside creative cocktails and a refined yet lively atmosphere.
Saturday, July 11th
The team began the morning with our final presentation of the conference at 8:15 a.m., titled “Maybe Someday I’ll Get Married: Exploring Emerging Adult Beliefs about Commitment and Marriage Postponement” (click link to view the presentation). It was the perfect way to conclude an incredible week of research and presentations. Following the session, our team received many compliments from professors, graduate students, and researchers from universities around the world. As undergraduate students, it was incredibly encouraging to hear such positive feedback, especially considering that the majority of conference attendees were graduate students, faculty members, or established researchers.
This presentation drew on intensive interviews with 20 unmarried emerging adults and addressed two research questions:
- RQ1: How do unmarried emerging adults define commitment in romantic relationships and how have they developed those definitions?
- RQ2: What do unmarried emerging adults believe are the reasons that many 18–29-year-olds are postponing marriage?
Themes related to how emerging adults construct their understanding of commitment included:
- Complete Loyalty
- Investment in the Relationship
- Parental Influence
Themes related to the postponement of marriage included:
- Fear of Making the Wrong Decision
- Uncertainty about the Future
- The Norm of Cohabitation
After the conference session concluded, we took the opportunity to explore more of Scotland, beginning with the Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum. One of the highlights was seeing original works by Rembrandt, Monet, Renoir, Picasso, and van Gogh in person, an experience that was both inspiring and unforgettable. Of course, another major attraction for our team was the Barbie exhibit, which was just as fun as we had hoped. A short walk later brought us to the University of Glasgow, where the stunning historic architecture immediately caught our attention. The campus had an unmistakable academic atmosphere, and it was easy to imagine the generations of students and scholars who had walked those same halls. While taking in the scenery, we nearly photobombed a newly married couple who had chosen the beautiful campus as the backdrop for their wedding photos.
Our next stop was the Glasgow Botanic Gardens, where we enjoyed walking through the beautifully maintained gardens, admiring the sculptures, and learning about the history of the grounds. It was the perfect way to slow down after such a busy week. We ended the day with a well-deserved dinner and some much-needed rest, reflecting on an unforgettable experience filled with research, new connections, and the opportunity to explore such a remarkable country.
Sunday, July 12th
Sunday gave us a quieter day to pack, rest, and enjoy a few final experiences in Glasgow before the long trip home. Dr. Sibley and his wife visited the Riverside Museum, Glasgow’s award-winning transport and technology museum. Designed by Zaha Hadid and opened in 2011 on the banks of the River Clyde, the striking zinc-clad building itself is a landmark. Inside, more than 3,000 objects tell the story of Glasgow’s industrial and engineering heritage, from vintage cars and trams to a massive steam locomotive built in the city, a fully recreated early-20th-century Glasgow street complete with shops you can walk into, and the tall ship Glenlee moored just outside.
They then joined a Glasgow Street Art Tour, a guided walk that explores the city’s thriving mural scene. The tour winds through lanes and quieter corners of the city centre, highlighting large-scale works by local and international artists such as Smug, Rogue One, and Rebel Bear. Along the way the guide shared the stories behind the murals and how Glasgow has become one of Europe’s most vibrant urban art destinations.
In the evening the full team regrouped for a final dinner at The Ivy on Buchanan Street, a fitting way to celebrate the end of our time in Scotland together. The food was delicious, and it was a super fun evening as we reminisced about our week. One thing became very clear: we all hope to return to Scotland someday and explore more of this incredible country.
Monday, July 13th
Monday morning we woke up bright and early to start our journey home. We arrived at the airport around 6:00 a.m. and went to the counter to check in. Unfortunately they would not let us in until 7:30 a.m., so we sat at the Starbucks in front of the airport and had breakfast until it was time to go through security. Once through, we found our gate and spent some time relaxing.
We followed the same route we had taken on the way over. From Glasgow we flew into Amsterdam. With a three-hour layover, we found our gate, dropped our bags, then explored the airport and stretched our legs. The flight from Amsterdam to Detroit was our longest, and we were served two meals while in the air. Once we landed in Detroit we had another three-hour layover before our last flight home. We made it to Chicago O’Hare around 8:00 p.m. and walked to baggage claim together. Once everyone had their bags, we said our goodbyes and headed home for much-needed rest.
The IARR 2026 conference in Glasgow was an absolutely amazing week filled with laughter, new foods, deeper knowledge about relationships, and a first look at Scottish culture. Not only did we learn from scholars around the world, we also built deeper bonds with one another. This was a trip we will never forget.
A huge thank you to Dr. Sibley for making this opportunity possible and for walking us through every step of presenting on an international stage. You can find more photos from the trip in our Conference Photo Gallery.
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I am a junior at Northern Illinois University. I am majoring in Human Development and Family Science with an emphasis in Family Social Services and minoring in Art. After I graduate, I am going to pursue a Master’s Degree in Social Work and become an elementary school social worker.
Hi! I am Molly Williams. I am a senior at Northern Illinois University. I am majoring in Psychology and minoring in both Counseling and Family and Child Studies. After graduation I plan to get my master’s degree and become a marriage and family therapist.
Hi! My name is Olivia Paluzzi and I am a senior at Northern Illinois University, majoring in Human Development and Family Sciences with an emphasis in Family Social Services and a minor in Counseling. After graduation, I plan on moving to Florida to pursue my master’s degree and work as a child and family therapist.
I am a senior at Northern Illinois University. I am majoring in Psychology and minoring in Family and Child Studies, along with an additional minor in Addiction. My plan for after graduation is to apply to graduate school programs in pursuit of a doctorate in psychology.
