What it Means to Be a Representative
Each SSC member is charged with representing the needs of a particular group of graduate students with interests in an academic/research career. Representatives may come from any training track (e.g., Behavioral Neuroscience, Cognitive Psychology, School Psychology, etc) as long as their substantive research interests are appropriate to their council seat. Terms last for three years, the first two requiring active participation in council activities. During the final year of their tenure, representatives serve an ad hoc advisory function.
Representative Responsibilities
First two years:
- Networking with relevant APA divisions and other professional organizations in order to represent issues relevant to their constituency.
- Attend twice yearly council meetings (fully funded by APA) occurring during APA consolidated ( APA governance) meetings
- Participate in listserv discussions.
- Serving as a reviewer for the APA Early Student Research Awards
Last Year:
- Continue listserv participation
- Advise incoming representatives as needed
Sample issues previously addressed by the SSC:
- The creation of the Early Student Research Awards
- Student involvement in the peer review process
- Authorship issues involving faculty members and other supervisors
Representative Areas of Research
For each position, the representative should have a strong understanding of and training in scientific methodology as applied within his or her area. If you have questions about any of these council positions, please contact the current council member in that area.
Behavioral Neuroscience
This position represents students who perform empirical and/or theoretical research that addresses issues related to psychopharmacology, addictions, behavioral learning theory, or related fields. The Council member may use human and/or animal models of research.
Biopsychology
This position represents graduate students engaged in experimental animal research that focuses on the neurobiological mechanisms underlying behavior. This Council member must have expertise in behavioral measures but may also use molecular techniques.
Clinical Science
This position represents students whose research involvement reflects the clinical sciences within psychology, broadly representing the study of psychological functioning of individuals. This can include diversity across age groups and multicultural identities. This research is typically conducted in the fields of clinical, counseling, school, or community psychology.
Cognitive Science
This position represents students with interests in areas such as but not limited to sensation/perception, action, memory, attention, language, knowledge representation, and learning. The Council member should have experience with behavioral laboratory studies, computational modeling, or imaging techniques.
Developmental Psychology
This position represents students who perform theory-based research that addresses issues related to development. This council member can focus on any period of the life span or combination thereof (e.g., gerontology, infancy, emerging adulthood). This council member may focus on fields such as cognitive development or social development.
Health Psychology
This position represents graduate students who conduct research on the relations among psychology, physical health, and disease. This Council member would typically have research interests related to health behaviors (e.g., smoking, sleep, physical activity), psychosocial factors in chronic disease, stress, psychoneuroimmunology, health-relevant animal research, health-relevant community research, or health services research.
Industrial/Organizational Psychology
This position represents students who perform research on issues related to individual or group dynamics in organizational settings. Specific foci may include social and cognitive psychological principles, and research may be conducted with college, military, or working populations and both lab or field research settings.
Psychological Methodology
This position represents students who are interested in the development and application of quantitative methods (statistics), qualitative methods, or experimental design. The research focus of the representative should be reflective of these areas, however, it is not a necessity that the person is enrolled in a purely methodological program.
Social/Personality Psychology
This position represents research-oriented social psychology graduate students. Areas of research can include, but are not limited to: interpersonal processes, attribution, self, personality, attitudes, stigma, stereotyping/prejudice, gender issues, and pro-social behavior.
Testimonials from previous SSC representatives:
"It is a unique opportunity to serve your peers"
- Adam Carrico, Health Research Representative (2004-2005)
"The SSC gave me the great opportunity to interact with students from other areas in psychology"
- Brandon Beltz, Cognitive Science Representative 2005-2006
"Through interaction with APA governance and leadership, the SSC helped me hone my leadership and advocacy skills."
- Hannah-Hanh Nguyen, Industrial/Organization Representative (2004-2005)
"It's a great opportunity to network"
- Stephanie Washburn, Biopsychology Representative (2005-2006)
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