Why did you join the division?
I joined Division 26 seventeen years ago, when I was a graduate student. I had started attending APA convention a couple of years earlier and was invited to serve as Student Representative. My initial drive was to get to know more people in my area of study and gain an understanding of the field. It ended up being that and more. Division 26 became an integral part of my professional community. The members supported the development of my research, helped shape me as a scholar, and encouraged me throughout the highs and lows of finding my place in the field.
What do you get out of your involvement?
The most important thing I get out of involvement in Division 26 is community. It can feel isolating at times when you’re a historian of psychology (or simply someone with an interest in the history of our field); becoming involved in Division 26 has helped me connect with likeminded scholars around the world.
What do you value most about being a historian of psychology?
As a historian of psychology, I quite literally learn something new every day. The field keeps me intellectually stimulated and curious. And my greatest joy is having the privilege of sharing what I learn with students, fellow psychologists, and the public at-large.
What’s something you want people to know about your division?
There are two things I most want people to know about us:
First, we’re 60 years old this year! Division 26 was founded in 1965, and its members have been instrumental in advocating for and shaping the preservation and understanding of psychology’s history. One example: their efforts helped to create the Archives of the History of American Psychology, an institution that now represents the largest collection of materials related to the history of psychology in the world.
Second, you don’t need to be a historian of psychology to become a member. Anyone with an interest or curiosity in history is welcome in Division 26. Based on my experience, it’s also a wonderfully supportive space for students and early career psychologists.
Tell us a fun fact about yourself.
I bake bread to relax. I’m particularly interested in trying bread recipes from around the world – it’s a great way to “travel” from the comfort of my kitchen!
Contact: Jennifer Bazar