VOLUME 30 , NUMBER 1 -January 1999

`Bursting with ideas,' Hansen takes over counseling journal

Editor explores new ways to diversify the Journal of Counseling Psychology.

By Jamie Chamberlin
Monitor staff

When Jo-Ida Hansen, PhD, became editor of the Journal of Counseling Psychology on Jan. 1, she became the third woman in a row to serve as its editor-a record in APA journal history.

Hansen, a professor of psychology and director of the counseling psychology program and the Vocational Assessment Clinic at the University of Minnesota, succeeds Clara Hill, PhD, professor of psychology at the University of Maryland, College Park and Lenore Harmon, PhD, who is currently APA's Chief Editorial Advisor. Hansen, who starts accepting manuscripts on Jan. 1, is extremely proud of the identity her predecessors have established for the journal-it's a publication that has always reached and interested a broad range of constituencies, she says. 'My goal is to continue that tradition.'

Not to say she doesn't have more goals-Hansen is bursting with ideas for the journal, from planning a special issue on research methodology to continuing a mentoring system for peer review. Because the field of counseling psychology is so diverse, Hansen plans to make the journal's content, contributors and editorial board reflect the field's diversity.

On the cutting edge

Hansen sees the Journal of Counseling Psychology as having three key audiences: scientists who are keeping up with the counseling psychology literature; practitioners who are using the journal as a resource; and students who use the journal as a training vehicle. As editor, she wants to keep the journal's material fresh, exciting and interesting for each group. She welcomes cutting-edge manuscripts, opinion pieces and controversial articles. She plans to highlight research on ethnic, racial and cultural diversity as well as gender, sexual orientation and disability issues. Hansen, whose expertise is vocational counseling, also plans for the journal to explore the link between counseling psychology and occupational health psychology.

One project Hansen will tackle early in her editorship is laying the groundwork for a series of articles on research methodology. The series, which would be an up-to-date version of a research methods section the journal published in the 1970s, will help researchers and practitioners refresh their skills in statistical methods, psychometric issues and methodological design.

Preparing future editors

One of the ways Hansen plans to foster diversity is by establishing an environment that supports mentoring in the editing process. More people can gain the skills they need to get published and eventually serve as editors if there is some kind of mentoring system to provide contributors with guidance and support, she says. She plans to mentor and prepare future editors by inviting professionals from under-represented groups to serve as ad hoc reviewers and editorial board members.

'I also hope to work with new professionals in the field and people who haven't had a chance to publish,' says Hansen. 'A lot of people can use that kind of guidance initially until they have developed the skills they need.'

Having served on the editorial boards of seven journals and two terms as editor of the journal

Measurement and Evaluation in Counseling and Development, Hansen brings a wealth of editing wisdom to her new post. But it's her experience with getting her own manuscripts published that has taught her one of the biggest publishing lessons-the importance of constructive feedback. Hansen stresses the significance of clear, encouraging feedback that is not so critical it can't help the contributor. She wants potential contributors to learn and grow when they submit to the Journal of Counseling Psychology.

'I know what it's like to get back feedback that is really useful and feedback that is just devastating,' she says. 'I want to nurture the interests of potential contributors so that as they gain experience, they can be good candidates for the editorial board.'

Hansen also doesn't want to see good science fall through the cracks. She feels one of her most important editorial roles will be to identify 'rough nuggets' that warrant publication, and work with authors to polish their manuscripts. She wants to encourage more graduate students and even undergraduate students to publish.

'I relish this opportunity to stimulate the development and publication of scholarly work important to our field,' she says.

Beginning Jan. 1, send submissions to Hansen at: Department of Psychology, University of Minnesota, 75 East River Road, Minneapolis, MN 55455. Her e-mail address is hanse004@maroon.tc.umn.edu.

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