Announcements - Society for Acupuncture Research

SAR 2027 International Research Conference

Published On 7/10/2026

The Society for Acupuncture Research will hold its 2027 International Research Conference, "From Needles to Networks: Advancing Whole Person Health Through Acupuncture and Traditional East Asian Medicine," April 29–May 2, 2027 at the Lord Baltimore Hotel in Baltimore, Maryland.

The conference brings together researchers, clinicians, educators, and policy makers for four days of plenary symposia, keynote addresses, abstract presentations, workshops, and networking. A hybrid format supports both in-person and virtual participation.

The call for abstracts and presentations is open through October 5, 2026. Registration opens September 1, 2026.

For full details, use the Conference menu at the top of this page.

Upcoming Conferences

The SAR conference originally planned for Macau, China in 2026 has been postponed to a future date due to the changing and evolving global political environment; however, we are exploring ways to connect with our global community via virtual format.

Coming up in 2026: SAR will co-sponsor the Annual Jaseng Academic Conference August 28-29, 2026, at Indiana University. This conference will focus on musculoskeletal pain and will be attended by clinicians and researchers from surgery to acupuncture.

Our next in-person conference will be held in the Washington, DC metro area in spring 2027 (exact dates and venue to be announced). We look forward to sharing more details as soon as they are confirmed and to gathering with you for rich scientific exchange and collaboration.

SAR Board Transition

Dr. Richard Harris Steps Down as Co-President of SAR & Dr. Lisa Taylor-Swanson Elected as Successor

The Society for Acupuncture Research (SAR) announces a significant leadership transition as Dr. Richard “Rick” E. Harris steps down from his role as Co-President. The Board of Directors has unanimously voted to appoint Dr. Lisa Taylor-Swanson as the new Co-President, effective immediately.

Dr. Harris, a Susan Samueli Endowed Chair and Professor at the University of California, Irvine, has served SAR with distinction, bringing decades of expertise in integrative health, neuroscience, and acupuncture research. His leadership has been instrumental in advancing SAR’s mission to bridge the gap between traditional East Asian medicine and modern scientific inquiry. Dr. Harris is well-known for his academic and research endeavors at UC Irvine, where he leads investigations into chronic pain and the neurobiological mechanisms of acupuncture.