Candidate response: Margaret B. Heldring, PhD

• What role will science play in your agenda for the year that you are president of APA?

I am proud of our scientific traditions, integrity and usefulness. I envision a broad inquiry that includes building social cohesion in an increasingly diverse society to helping families navigate the world of genetics to identifying biopsychosocial markers of resilience. I will emphasize ethical issues arising with emerging technologies and possibilities.

Current critical issues:

• Funding sources.

• Relevance.

• Leadership.

APA takes the lead in building a multidisciplinary behavioral sciences collaborative advocating for sustainable endowment-particularly work with NIH and CDC. This collaborative investigates, as examples, chronic illness management, integrating mental health into public health, and the health impacts of trauma.

• What steps would you take to ensure the success of the annual convention during your presidential tenure?

Our convention is a whirligig of people, places and programs. While it is a scientific and social feast, it can be overwhelming and costly to many. My first step would be a series of Internet-based focus groups of psychologists and others to brainstorm the issues and imagine new strategies.

I envision several possible steps to consider:

1. Utilize the new APA Web site to "teach convention: how to attend, present, enjoy, absorb, make meaningful."

2. Extend the spirit of New Orleans so community service is annual.

3. Consider an overarching convention theme.

4. Invite other disciplines to attend and present alongside psychology.