APA's flagship journal has a new editor-in-chief starting next month. Pediatric psychologist Anne E. Kazak, PhD, a major figure in integrated health care who has edited three other psychology journals, took the reins as incoming editor of American Psychologist (AP) in September and will be editor-in-chief in January, marking the first time APA has chosen an editor who isn't APA's chief executive officer.
Under her direction, AP will more aggressively seek out empirical papers such as meta-analyses and large-scale studies.
"We want big, broad empirical papers that can change the thinking and tide in psychology," she says. "I envision AP as the first outlet that psychologists think of for publishing major papers that are broad and cross-cutting in nature, leading edge in terms of their content and, on occasion, controversial."
Kazak is also restructuring the journal's leadership and organization to match other APA journals. While AP used to rely on its editorial board of consulting editors, Kazak has added six associate editors who will handle peer review or papers in their areas of expertise. And, in a move to attract more submissions, Kazak is streamlining and shortening the peer-review process.
To ensure a smooth transition, she encourages members and prospective authors to share their feedback with her on how to enhance the journal, as well as suggestions for special sections or issues. She aims to continue to encourage manuscripts that address society's most pressing concerns and feature content that will interest all members. "This is a journal for all of psychology," she says.
Kazak is the co-director of the Center for Healthcare Delivery Science at Nemours Children's Health System, in Wilmington, Delaware, and a professor of pediatrics at Sidney Kimmel Medical School of Thomas Jefferson University in Philadelphia. She is also an adjunct psychology professor at the University of Delaware and co-director of the Center for Pediatric Traumatic Stress at the National Child Traumatic Stress Network. She has been a leader and mentor in APA publishing throughout her career, most prominently as editor of Health Psychology since 2010, as editor of the Journal of Family Psychology from 2004 to 2009 and as editor of the Journal of Pediatric Psychology from 1998 to 2002. She chaired APA's Council of Editors in 2008.
Her reputation and experience make her an ideal choice to lead AP's transition, says APA Publisher Gary VandenBos, PhD. "She is renowned for her constructive editorial feedback, which enhances the quality of every contribution."
— Jamie Chamberlin