Broader Themes

Beyond my initiatives, I wish to emphasize broader themes. First, I would like to make diversity, culture, and identity central topics in our conceptualization of our field. Our goal is to develop psychology for the world; that requires a deep appreciation for differences and how they influence core issues of our field. Diversity is not a special interest or afterthought but something that ought to be central to training, research, practice, and services. Second, I would like to build on strengths and priorities within APA and our members. By uniting different facets of our organization (e.g., Divisions, interest groups, APA directorates), there are opportunities for synergy amid the multiple efforts related to advocacy, specific research priorities, and policy reports. I hope my presidential initiatives will highlight these connections but they are not the only opportunities. Third, I am interested in doing all I can to develop plans that are followed by actions.

An overarching challenge for my presidential term: What do we know that can be used to make a difference for advocacy, policy, and guidance to help individuals and populations within society? How can we translate our information, data, recommendations, and thoughtful consensus views into plans that affect individual lives? Through legislation? Through educational systems? Through information that is accessible in novel ways?

In the upcoming months, I will have occasions to meet with many of you and to discuss the plans and priorities. I welcome your input because these issues and priorities are not a matter of my presidential term. Rather, I see them as enduring priorities to contribute to our world society. As we mobilize our many strengths and focus them in a way to have impact, we also strengthen our profession and discipline.