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The DHS Learning Curve Rounds Up Psychologists The
DHS Scholars and Fellows program, which provides generous support to
rising undergraduate juniors and first or second year graduate students,
continues to demonstrate appreciation for psychology and other social
sciences. Science Policy staff serve in a liaison role between DHS
University Program staff and the student community to promote
dissemination of program materials and encourage students to apply to the
program. In early December, DHS provided data for the most recent round of
awards announced in a DHS press release on November 15.
 Read
the full article
Senate Confirms New Director of NSF and Psychologist for
National Science Board
On November 20th, the Senate confirmed appointments of
eight scientists to the National Science Board (NSB), the 24-member
independent body designated by Congress to oversee and establish policies
for the National Science Foundation (NSF) and provide advice to the
President and Congress on science and engineering issues. Prominent among
this group is Alan I. Leshner, the first psychologist to serve on the NSB
in several decades. Leshner, a Fellow of APA and current Chief Executive
Officer of the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS),
will serve through May, 2010. He noted: "I'm delighted by this
appointment. NSF is a wonderful agency that serves a vital role in the
advancement of science worldwide. I look forward to bringing my training
in and perspective from psychology and neuroscience to the National
Science Board's important policy discussions."
President Bush’s nominee for Director of NSF, Arden L.
Bement, Jr., also received Senate confirmation for a period of six years,
during which time he will serve in an ex officio capacity on the NSB.
Bement has served as NSF’s Acting Director since February, 2004, while
he continued to serve as the Director of the National Institute of
Standards and Technology (NIST) within the Department of Commerce (his NSF
appointment coincides with official resignation from his position at NIST).
Bement, an engineer by training, has had a long career in industry,
government and academia. He faces immediate challenges at NSF in terms of
resources (one of his stated priorities), particularly in light of funding
cuts to the agency in the Fiscal Year 2005 budget up for final
congressional approval in the December lame duck session.
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NIH Working Group on Basic Behavioral and Social
Science Research Reports at Advisory Committee Meeting
The Advisory Committee of the Director of NIH heard a
presentation December 2, 2004, on the recently released draft report of
the NIH Working Group on Basic Behavioral and Social Sciences Research.
Working Group members Susan Fiske, Robert Levenson, and Bruce McEwen,
along with chair Linda Waite, presented the draft report and its
recommendations to the NIH Director and his advisory committee. The
Working Group was established in 2003 by NIH Director Elias Zerhouni with
the charge to review the portfolio of basic behavioral and social science
research funded by NIH and to make recommendations on how to strengthen
basic research.
Read
the full article
Old Friends Meet New Friends at APA
Science Policy staff hosted two meetings of the Friends of
NIDA at APA headquarters during the month of December. The first meeting,
on December 6th, brought together representatives from a diverse network
of organizations, many of whom had co-sponsored the group's debut event in
July, a congressional
briefing featuring NIDA Director Nora Volkow as the key presenter, and
several new groups energized by NIDA's unenviable position at the bottom
of the list of Institute funding increases at NIH for 2005.
Read
the full article
[back to top]
Congress Upholds Support for Peer
Review
Congress completed its work on the omnibus appropriations
legislation that includes funding for the Department of Health and Human
Services and the National Institutes of Health (NIH). A primary concern
for APA was the possible inclusion of amendment language approved in the
House version of the bill that aimed to restrict funding for two grants
funded by the National Institute of Mental Health. Both of the grants were
behavioral research projects that had been through the peer review process
at NIH. While a similar amendment was not adopted in the Senate version of
the bill, it was up to the House and Senate members of the conference
committee to negotiate the differences between the two versions of the
bill. APA staff met with congressional offices throughout the fall to
educate members about the importance of this issue and ensure that the
language was not included in the final bill.
While recognizing the public health mission of the agency,
the final appropriations legislation rejected the Neugebauer amendment
language and reaffirmed Congress' support for the National Institutes of
the Health (NIH) and the peer review system. The report accompanying the
bill states, "The conferees reiterate their support of the two-tiered
peer review process used by NIH to judge research grant applications and
continue to expect NIH to ensure that its funds are allocated to research
that is both scientifically meritorious and has high potential public
health impact."
Appropriations 2005: Where's "The Scream" When You Really Need It? Most
political insiders would agree that the federal appropriations process is
more art than science. But when Congress delivered the Fiscal Year (FY)
2005 catch-all spending bill, much of the artwork was missing. Funding for
many domestic discretionary programs ended up as flat as the wall on which
Edvard Munch's most famous painting once hung.
Read
the full article
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Science Policy Takes A Holiday at the White House
Science Policy staff recognize the value of taking an
occasional break from the rigors of lobbying to celebrate the holiday
season. And perhaps nowhere is that holiday spirit more evident here in
Washington than in the jolly smiles of the U.S. Secret Service guarding
the East Wing of the White House. It was there on December 12 that
Director of Science Policy Geoff Mumford spent a lovely Sunday afternoon
as the guest of Dr. Susan Brandon, OSTP AD for Social, Behavioral and
Educational Sciences, eyeing some impressive old growth forest
(indoors no
less) adorned with enough lighting to challenge the East Coast power grid.
As Susan and I strolled along discussing issues such as the
administration's on-going nanotech initiatives, it was clear that no one
had briefed the White House Chef, who had constructed a rather elaborate
out-sized ginger bread
house. But no matter, listening to children
caroling or playing in a woodwind ensemble, it was hard not to have a
positive outlook for 2005 knowing that APA has such a welcoming colleague
and advocate for psychology in this White House. So here's wishing our
OSTP friends and our SPIN readers the very best for the Holidays!
View
holiday photos
Recruiting Champions for Mental Health and Substance
Use Disorders on Capitol Hill
Science Policy staff worked along with other Public Policy
Office staff, the Government Relations Office in the Practice Directorate,
and CEO Norman Anderson to draft a letter urging members of the House of
Representatives to join two House Caucuses that we hope will raise the
profile of mental health and substance use disorders in what will likely
be a very tight budgetary climate during the next congress.
Read
the full article [back to top]
APA Science Policy Fellowship Applications Due January
3, 2005
Applications are due January 3, 2005 for APA's annual
Science Policy Fellowship program. Each year, APA places a psychological
scientist in an executive branch research funding/coordinating office.
Past Fellows have worked at the National Institutes of Health, the
National Science Foundation, the White House Office of Science and
Technology Policy, and most recently, the Central Intelligence Agency. In
addition to duties as a special assistant in a science mission agency or
office, the Fellow attends an orientation program on congressional and
executive branch operations and a year-long seminar series on issues
involving science and public policy. For more information, see the fellowship webpage and contact Dr. Heather Kelly in APA's Public Policy
Office via email or phone at 202.336.5932.
More
information about the Science Policy Fellowship program
APA Science Directorate Offers New Summer Fellowships
in Counterintelligence Research
The APA Science Directorate and Public Policy Office will
offer two new exciting summer research fellowships in 2005, in
collaboration with senior psychologists working in the Department of
Defense's Counterintelligence Field Activity Office (CIFA). The summer
fellowships, open to APA or APAGS members at both the post-doctoral and
senior graduate level, will provide opportunities to spend eight weeks at
CIFA's headquarters here in the Washington, DC area. Research Fellows will
work on topics relevant to countering terrorist activity, reducing
"insider threat" and developing counterintelligence threat trend
analysis. Stipends for Fellows may range from $8,000-12,000. See the fellowship webpage for application information; applications must be
received by Dr. Heather Kelly in APA's Public Policy Office by March 1,
2005.
View
application information [back to top]
Air Force Research Lab Looking for Senior Scientist
The U.S. Air Force Materiel Command has issued a
scientific and professional recruiting announcement seeking a Senior
Scientist in the area of cognitive engineering/modeling. Applications must
be received by the closing date of February 5th, 2005. The announcement
describes the Senior Scientist's role:
"Serves as senior research scientist and independent researcher in
the field of cognitive engineering and human systems modeling technology.
The incumbent serves to focus research and development efforts associated
with cognitive psychology, human factors, perception, and performance, and
to strengthen the in-house activities of the laboratory. Conceives, plans,
and advocates major research and development activities; interacts and
consults with the Director, division chiefs and staff concerning the total
research program and results; monitors and guides the quality of
scientific and technical resources; and provides expert technical
consultation to other Air Force organizations, DOD and government
agencies, universities and industry. Position requires an internationally
recognized authority in the field of cognitive engineering and modeling
technology with the ability to conceive, conduct and lead advanced
research and development. The incumbent must make significant
contributions to the advancement of knowledge in the field as evidenced by
numerous important scientific publications and by citation of the work by
others, and by receipt of patents and/or awards."
Additional information on the position requirements and
application process [DOC 230K]
Any questions?
If you have any questions regarding SPIN or specific
science policy issues, please feel free to contact any of APA’s Science
PPO staff.
Geoff
Mumford, Ph.D., Director of Science Policy
Pat
Kobor, Senior Science Policy Analyst
Heather
O'Beirne Kelly, Ph.D., Senior Legislative and Federal Affairs Officer
Karen
Studwell, J.D., Legislative and Federal Affairs Officer
Sara
Robinson, Legislative Assistant
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APA's
Science Policy Insider News