Q3: What are your plans for expanding the APA membership in light of our aging membership? Most particularly, what are your ideas for recruiting, retaining and engaging early career psychologists (ECPs)?
I will work to increase membership attractiveness and value for all members. As ECPs are the future, increased engagement with them must be a top priority. We need a data-driven approach to understanding their priorities. We need to provide relevant resources on employment, professional development, grants, etc., through social media and formats preferred by ECPs. There is much that we can learn from them. For our mutual benefit, I am committed to fostering dialogue and collaborative mentoring opportunities that capitalize on the talent of ECPs and the wisdom and experience of our growing number of later career psychologists.
Q4: How do you see the role of technology in communicating with general APA membership, committees and boards, as well as consumers of psychology?
From online interactive learning to apps that support treatment, new and engaging technologies are expanding our ability to disseminate psychological science to the public, and enhance connectivity among the psychological community. Within APA, technology now allows us to include more member voices and improve efficiency and quality of governance decisions. APA should encourage innovation and provide guidance and training in emerging platforms to meet the changing needs and preferences of our members. The key is determining optimal uses of technology — matching the medium with the purpose and the audience, and finding the right balance between virtual and in-person discussion.