Volume 21: No. 4, April 2007

Culture of Service Awards: Nominate Now!
by Suzanne Wandersman

The Science Directorate is looking for nominations for its two Culture of Service awards. One award honors individuals and the other award honors academic departments.


Award for Distinguished Service to Psychological Science

The APA Board of Scientific Affairs (BSA) is soliciting nominations for the Award for Distinguished Service to Psychological Science. This Award recognizes individuals who have made outstanding contributions to psychological science through their commitment to a culture of service. Award recipients will receive an honorarium of $1,000. The deadline for nominations is May 20, 2007.

Nominees will have demonstrated their service to the discipline by aiding in association governance; serving on boards, committees and various psychological associations; editing journals; reviewing grant proposals; mentoring students and colleagues; advocating for psychological science's best interests with state and federal lawmakers; and promoting the value of psychological science in the public eye. Nominees may be involved in one service area, many of the areas, or all of the service areas noted above. An individual's service to the discipline and not a person's scholarly achievements are the focus of this award.

Nominations will be accepted only as electronic submissions to cultureofservice [at] apa [dot] org. Please be sure to submit the nomination as a package that includes the letter of nomination, vita, and three letters of support.

Past award recipients include:
2006: Robert L. Balster and Nora Newcombe
2005: Robert A. Bjork and J. Bruce Overmier


Departmental Award for Culture of Service in the Psychological Sciences

The APA Board of Scientific Affairs (BSA) is soliciting nominations for the Departmental Award for Culture of Service in the Psychological Sciences. This Award recognizes departments that demonstrate a commitment to service in the psychological sciences. Departments selected for this award will show a pattern of support for service from faculty at all levels, including a demonstration that service to the discipline is rewarded in faculty tenure and promotion. Successful Departments will also demonstrate that service to the profession is an integral part of training and mentoring. Each Department selected will receive an award of $5,000 to be used for departmental activities. The deadline for nominations is May 20, 2007.

Service to the discipline includes such activities as departmental release time for serving on boards and committees of psychological associations; editing journals; serving on a review panel; or chairing an IRB. Other culture of service activities that a department would encourage include mentoring students and colleagues; advocating for psychological science's best interests with state and federal lawmakers; and promoting the value of psychological science in the public eye. The focus of this award is a department's faculty service to the discipline and not their scholarly achievements.

Both Undergraduate and Graduate Departments of Psychology are eligible. Self-nominations are encouraged.

Nominations will be accepted only as electronic submissions to cultureofservice [at] apa [dot] org. Please be sure to submit the nomination as a package that includes the letter of nomination, vita, and three letters of support.

For more information, contact Suzanne Wandersman, Science Directorate, American Psychological Association, 750 First Street, NE, Washington, DC 20002-4242; by phone, (202) 336-6000; by fax, (202) 336-5953; or by email.

Past award recipients include:
2006: Davidson College and the University of Minnesota Departments of Psychology