New division for qualitative inquiry proposed

A group of psychologists are seeking signatories to propose a new APA Division for Qualitative Inquiry. Led by Ken Gergen, PhD, and Ruthellen Josselson, PhD, the group plans for the division to serve as a forum for enriching forms of qualitative psychological study, including its methodology, theory and philosophy. It would, they say, provide researchers and practitioners opportunities to share developments and explore new avenues across an array of endeavors, such as narrative, life history, phenomenology, ethnography, visual representation, performance and action research.

Members of the steering committee are Michael Bamberg, PhD, Scott Churchill, PhD, Bert Cohler, PhD, Keith Davis, PhD, Mary Gergen, PhD, Belinda Khong, PhD, Brinton Lykes, PhD, Dan McAdams, PhD, Suzanne Ouellette, PhD, Martin Packer, PhD, Don Polkinghorne, PhD, Mac Runyan, PhD, Todd Schultz, PhD, and Hank Stam, PhD.

Those interested in supporting the formation of the new division can contact Ruthellen Josselson, PhD, via e-mail.

The American Psychological Foundation (APF) and APA Div. 38 (Health) seek nominations of outstanding health psychologists for the Timothy Jeffrey Memorial Award. The $1,000 award recognizes outstanding commitment to clinical health psychology by a full-time provider of direct clinical services.

Nominees must typically spend a minimum of 15 to 20 hours weekly in direct, face-to-face patient care, including assessment or therapy in individual or group settings. Applicants must be fully licensed clinical health psychologists and members of APA and APA Div. 38, which administers this award.

The deadline to apply is May 1. Nomination letters should describe the nominee’s practice, professional activities and commitment to the field. Nominations must be accompanied by a current curriculum vitae, at least one letter of support from a professional, nonpsychologist colleague and one letter from a psychologist colleague. Letters from students or supervisees are not acceptable. APF and Div. 38 welcome self-nominations and encourage a description of a clinical case in which the nominee’s work has had a particular effect on an individual, family or group. For more information, visit www.apa.org/apf/jeffrey.html.

–E. Packard