Psychological Science Agenda (PSA): Newsletter of the APA Science Directorate

Volume 23: No. 3, March 2009

March 2009 Announcements

Upcoming APA Academic Career Workshops

APA Grants for Scientific Conferences: Call for Proposals

Upcoming Application Deadlines for Advanced Training Institutes

APA Departmental Award for Culture of Service in the Psychological Sciences Call for Nominations

APA Award for Distinguished Service to Psychological Sciences Call for Nominations

Deadline Nears for APA Student Travel Award Competition

Upcoming APA Academic Career Workshops

Each year, the Science Directorate sponsors Academic Career Workshops for graduate students and postdoctoral fellows at the regional psychological association meetings and other conferences. These workshops are designed to introduce graduate students and postdocs to the nuts and bolts of an academic career. Experienced psychology faculty share their insights on topics ranging from how the academic culture varies across institutions to the pragmatics of the hiring process. Substantial time is set aside for questions and discussion.

The 2009 programs will address the challenges arising from the current economic climate, including how to increase one’s chances of obtaining an academic position and what sorts of jobs are available while one waits for an appropriate academic position to become available.

The remaining workshops for 2009 will be conducted at the following meetings:

Southwestern Psychological Association: April 2-4, 2009
San Antonio, TX
Workshop Date: Saturday, April 4, 2009
Time: 10:30 am- 12:00 pm
www.swpsych.org

Midwestern Psychological Association: April 30- May 2, 2009
Chicago, IL
Workshop Date: Thursday, April 30, 2009
Time: 3:00 pm- 5:00 pm
www.midwesternpsych.org

APA Grants for Scientific Conferences: Call for Proposals

The Science Directorate is currently seeking proposals for grants to support research conferences in psychology. The purpose of these grants is to promote the exchange of important new contributions and approaches in scientific psychology. The next deadline for applications is June 1, 2009.
Grants ranging from $500 to $20,000 are available. Proposals will be considered for "add-a-day" conferences ($500-$3,000), "stand alone" conferences ($5,000-$20,000), and festschrifts ($5,000-$20,000). The conference must be additionally supported by the host institution with direct funds, in-kind support, or a combination of the two. A detailed budget including institutional support must be submitted as a part of the application.
APA is open to considering innovative and experimental formats for conferences, including internet-based conferences. Prospective applicants are encouraged to contact APA to discuss their ideas for new formats.
Conference proposals must meet the following eligibility requirements:

One of the primary organizers must be a member of APA.
Only academic institutions accredited by a regional body may apply. Independent research institutions must provide evidence of affiliation with an accredited institution. Joint proposals from cooperating institutions are encouraged.
Conferences may be held only in the United States, its possessions, or Canada.
APA governance groups, APA Divisions and other related entities are not eligible for funding under this program.

For more information on review criteria, proposal contents, recipient responsibilities, and budget guidelines, please refer to the APA website or contact Rachel Martin via email or phone: (202) 336-5918.

Upcoming Application Deadlines for Advanced Training Institutes

The application deadlines for the 2009 Advanced Training Institutes (ATI) are quickly approaching. These APA-sponsored events offer participants the opportunity to gain knowledge and experience in cutting-edge research methods. Through lectures, labs, and discussions, ATI instructors lead participants to understand how these methods can be applied within psychological science. Instructors also make a special effort to help individual participants incorporate the methods into their own research.

ATIs are appropriate for new and established faculty, non-academic researchers, post-doctoral fellows, and advanced graduate students. Modest financial assistance is available for some participants. Details can be found on the web or by email.

Nonlinear Methods for Psychological Science
June 8-12, 2009
Application Deadline - Mar. 24, 2009

Research Methods with Diverse Racial and Ethnic Groups
June 22-26, 2009
Application Deadline - Mar. 30, 2009

Structural Equation Modeling in Longitudinal Research
June 29-July 3, 2009
Application Deadline - Apr. 6, 2009

Exploratory Data Mining in Behavioral Research
July 20-24, 2009
Application Deadline - Apr. 14, 2009

To apply, or for more information, please visit the ATI website.

APA Departmental Award for Culture of Service in the Psychological Sciences Call for Nominations

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.

Service to the discipline includes such activities as departmental release time for serving on boards and committees of psychological associations; editing journals; serving on review panels; or chairing IRBs. Other culture of service activities that a department could encourage include mentoring students and colleagues; advocating for psychological science to 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.

To submit a nomination the following is required:

A letter that describes and illustrates the department’s commitment to a culture of service (e.g., nature of the department’s commitment, effect on tenure and promotion, mentoring, effect on current and/or former students’ activities as a result of the department’s focus on service, etc.). The letter should be no more than three pages long.
Three letters of support from individuals familiar with the department’s support for a culture of service. (These letters can be from current or past faculty members; a Dean familiar with the department’s service program; etc.)

Each Department selected will receive an award of $5,000 to be used for departmental activities. Nominations will be accepted only as electronic submissions to cultureofservice@apa.org. Please be sure to submit the nomination as a single package that includes all the required letters.

The deadline for 2009 submissions is April 1, 2009. For more information, contact Suzanne Wandersman.

APA Award for Distinguished Service to Psychological Sciences Call for Nominations

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. Nominees will have demonstrated their service to the discipline by serving on boards and committees of psychological organizations; editing journals; reviewing grant proposals; mentoring students and colleagues; advocating for psychological science to 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. The focus of the award is an individual’s service to the discipline and not his or her scholarly achievements.

To submit a nomination, provide the following:

A letter of nomination that describes and supports the individual’s contributions (e.g., nature of the individual’s service to psychological science, positions held, etc.). The nomination letter should be no more than two pages long.
A curriculum vita
Three letters of support from individuals familiar with the nominee’s service to the discipline (These letters can be from colleagues who have served with the nominee; a Dean familiar with the nominee’s service; former students; Association/Society presidents, etc.)

Award recipients will receive an honorarium of $1,000.

The deadline for 2009 submissions is April 1, 2009. Nominations will be accepted only as electronic submissions to cultureofservice@apa.org. Please be sure to submit the nomination materials as a single complete package.For more information, contact Suzanne Wandersman.

Deadline Nears for APA Student Travel Award Competition

Graduate students: Are you looking for a little extra cash to get to this summer’s APA Convention in Toronto? If you are a Student Affiliate and are first author of your paper or poster accepted for presentation at Convention, you could be the recipient of a $300 travel grant!

The Student Travel Award and Ungerleider/Zimbardo Travel Scholarship competitions are sponsored by the APA Science Directorate and the American Psychological Foundation, and are intended to encourage pre-doctoral research by providing funds toward convention travel. Applications are due by April 1, 2009. For more information visit the award website or contact the Science Directorate at 202-336-6000.

All members of the American Psychological Association of Graduate Students (APAGS) who present first-authored papers or posters at the Convention are also eligible for a waiver of their Convention registration fees. Information about this fee waiver will be mailed to current APAGS members. If you do not receive the mailing by mid-May, contact the APA Convention Office at 202-336-5500 or via email for information before registering.