Paula R. Skedsvold, JD PhD, is awarded a Presidential Citation for her leadership in advocacy for psychological science and its applications.
Skedsvold recently retired as the executive director of the Federation of Associations in Behavioral and Brain Sciences (FABBS), where she served for more than a decade. In that role, she led a major coalition of more than 20 scientific societies, including APA, and was one of the leading advocates for psychological science on Capitol Hill and to federal science agencies. Due to her skillful efforts, many federal policymakers have gained a better understanding of basic and applied psychological science and have supported policies and funding favorable to psychology.
Previously, Skedsvold made her mark in a variety of positions in Washington. These include staff positions in congressional offices working on health and civil rights issues (supported in part by an APA Congressional Fellowship) as well as at the National Institutes of Health, where she worked on research and policy topics in the behavioral and social sciences. She also served as the research policy director of the American Educational Research Association, where one major focus of her work was the protection of human research participants.
The sources of Skedsvold’s effectiveness include her broad knowledge of both science and policy, exceptional organizational skills and a collaborative spirit. She is a worthy model for psychologists who aim both to advance the discipline and to make a difference in society.