American Psychological Foundation
APF Legacy Club Spotlight: Dr. Oliva Espin
Oliva Espin, PhD, emerita professor of women's studies at San Diego State University and at the California School of Professional Psychology of Alliant International University, is making a substantial bequest to the American Psychological Foundation (APF). A psychotherapist, teacher, consultant and researcher, Espin is considered a pioneer in the practice and theory of feminist therapy with women from different cultural backgrounds, particularly United States-born Latinas and immigrant/refugee women.
She discusses the importance of giving back to the profession that has had such a significant impact on her life.
Q.What does psychology mean to you, and how has the discipline changed your life?
Espin: I decided I wanted to be a psychologist at 15 when I took a high school course. I never changed my mind, despite the fact that it took some persistence, particularly after leaving Cuba and living in other Latin American countries that did not have the option of majoring in psychology at their universities.
I see the world "through the eyes of psychology" and have done so for as long as I can remember. I am not sure how it has "changed" my life. I think it would be more accurate to say that it has made my life what it is.
Q.You have had a distinguished career in the field of psychology. How has your career inspired your interest in APF?
Espin: I don't want my contributions to the field to die with me. I want to continue my presence in the development of psychology through the life and work of younger psychologists who will contribute to the discipline in the future. Providing assistance and support to younger generations of psychologists, working on topics that are dear to me, is a way of continuing to live.
Q.What has it meant to you to give back to psychology?
Espin: Basically, it is a way of saying thank you to a profession that has made me who I am.
Q: What would you like to say to your colleagues about making a gift or leaving a legacy to APF?
Espin: I think what I have already said covers the points I would like to make. There is more to do than what any of us can accomplish in a lifetime. Giving a legacy to APF, no matter how small, is a way of continuing the work of psychology for generations to come.
Q: Why is it important that an organization like APF exist?
Espin: It is the most effective way of continuing the work of the foundation, and it ensures that there are knowledgeable personnel available to channel donations appropriately and effectively.
Div. 16 students: apply for convention travel funds
Div. 16 (School) and APF request applications for the 2007 Paul H. Henkin Student Travel Award. Up to $1,000 in travel grants is available for student members of Div. 16 to attend APA's 2007 Annual Convention in San Francisco, Aug. 17-20.
Winners may use the funds to pay for convention registration, lodging and transportation costs only.
APF and Div.16 will consider the applicant's demonstrated potential to make an outstanding contribution to the field of school psychology, their accomplishments and research, communication skills, community involvement, commitment to working in public schools and evidence of knowledge of the demands of the field of school psychology and the value of continuing professional development.
The application deadline is April 15. Applicants should submit the following materials: application form, letter of recommendation, 500-word essay and curriculum vitae online at www.indiana.edu/~div16/awards.htm. For more information, contact Tanya Eckert, PhD, via e-mail.
Pediatric injury prevention research grant available
APF and Div. 54 (Society of Pediatric Psychology) request applications for the 2007 Lizette Peterson Homer Memorial Injury Research Grant open to students and faculty. This annual $1,500 grant supports research related to the prevention of physical injury in children and adolescents, including but not limited to: psychology, medicine, nursing, rehabilitation, social work, child development and public health. Funds may not be used for convention and meeting travel, indirect costs of the university, stipends of principal investigators or costs associated with manuscript preparation.
Proposals of no longer than seven pages should include a 100-word abstract, description of the project, detailed budget and references in one Microsoft Word document, as well as past relevant research and a supporting faculty supervisor letter if the applicant is a student. The deadline for proposals is April 1. Contact Sharon Berry, PhD, with questions, and e-mail proposals to her at e-mail.
Nominate a colleague for the Levinson Award
APF requests nominations for the 2007 Harry and Miriam Levinson Award for Exceptional Contributions to Consulting Organizational Psychology.
The $5,000 award is given annually for demonstrating exceptional ability to integrate a wide variety of psychological theory and concepts and converting that integration into applications by which leaders and managers may create more effective, healthy and humane organizations.
The nomination deadline is March 15. Nominations must include a letter that details the nominee's accomplishments and a curriculum vitae. Self-nominations will be accepted. To apply, submit materials online at APA Online Grants Forms.
Apply for 2007 David Grants
The David Grants, made possible through a donation by Henry P. David, PhD, to APF, support young professionals with a demonstrated interest in behavioral aspects of human reproductive behavior or an area related to population concerns. APF awards two grants annually:
The David Research Grant provides up to $1,500 for support of ongoing research in behavioral aspects of population studies or human reproductive behavior.
The David International Travel Grant provides up to $1,500 to participate in an international or regional congress.
Applicants may apply for one or both awards.
Eligible applicants are those carrying out dissertation research or those with a PhD, PsyD or EdD, with no more than five years' postgraduate experience and with a demonstrated interest in behavioral aspects of human reproductive behavior or population concerns. The grants are open to applicants from all countries in all relevant disciplines, with preference given to those with a psychological approach or in the discipline of psychology. The deadline is March 6.
Submit application materials online at APA Online Grants Forms. For additional questions, contact the Office of International Affairs at the APA address, or call (202) 336-6025.
Submit applications for 2007 Placek grants for LGBT research
APF requests proposals for the 2007 Wayne F. Placek Large Grants. The grants support scientific research that increases understanding of homosexuality and alleviates the stress experienced by gay men and lesbians. Applicants must have a doctoral degree and be affiliated with a college, university or research institution.
Applications should propose new studies that can be completed in two years solely with the level of funding provided by the grant. Applicants can request up to $50,000 for any expenses associated with conducting an empirical research project, including salary for the applicant or assistants, equipment (with a $5,000 limit), supplies, travel, photocopying, postage and payment of participants. The award does not pay institutional indirect costs.
The selection committee will give special preference for one of the two grants to applicants who have completed their doctorates within the last seven years. The large grants application deadline is March 9.
Applications must conform to the APF Placek grant guidelines.
-Compiled by I. Ramos, M. Nwigwe and E. Packard
