Boness is member at large (science) of Division 50: Society of Addiction Psychology
I joined Division 50 as a graduate student because of the extensive funding and networking opportunities that the division offers for trainees. For example, the division offers graduate student grants and awards, resources for applying to clinical internship, and opportunities to interact with established addiction psychologists.
I have been a member for approximately 10 years.
I love my job (I’m an Assistant Professor of Psychology at the University of New Mexico with dual appointments in the Department of Psychology and the Center on Alcohol, Substance use, And Addictions) because a typical workday never looks the same. I am often switching between various tasks like writing grants or manuscripts, teaching, meeting with community partners, providing clinical supervision, and data analysis. I find that having the freedom to choose how to spend my time on a given day keeps my job exciting and fulfilling.
I was recently awarded the Division 50 Distinguished Scientific Contributions to Public Interest Award in recognition of my research and advocacy within the field of addiction psychology. I spend a significant amount of time engaged in advocacy and dissemination to ensure that addiction science research makes it out of the lab and into the hands of the community of people impacted by substance use as well as the people that make decisions related to addiction funding and policy. Because this work is not always valued by the academy, I am especially proud to have received this recognition.
In the coming years, I think clinical psychologists will be faced with challenges and opportunities related to artificial intelligence, a lack of public confidence and trust in science and higher education, political interference, and shifting funding priorities.
In graduate school I provided mental health and crisis services to the Deaf and Hard of Hearing community in American Sign Language. As part of my role at DeafLEAD, a social services agency for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing, I supported the launch, operation, and evaluation of the Deaf Crisis Line.
Contact: Cassandra Boness
