This month, as students of all ages return to school, I'd like to highlight a new learning opportunity: the Citizen Psychologist curriculum. Created as part of my Citizen Psychologist presidential initiative, these education and training modules are geared for everyone, from high school students through postdoctoral lifelong learning psychologists. To access the curriculum, go to www.apa.org/citizen.
APA Citizen Psychologists serve as community leaders who, through prolonged engagement in significant activities, contribute to improving the lives of all. At the college and university levels, psychology departments can include the Citizen Psychologist concept in their own teachings: Having faculty members discuss their experiences as Citizen Psychologists can inspire students to contribute in their own communities. Meanwhile, department-sponsored colloquia and seminars can showcase the many ways students can contribute.
In addition to developing a curriculum, the Citizen Psychologist initiative is also recognizing psychologists who already serve as exemplary community leaders, such as Arline Bronzaft, PhD, who is working to reduce noise pollution in New York City, and Emily M. Selby-Nelson, PsyD, who is expanding access to care in her rural community. (For a full list of awardees, go to www.apa.org/about/governance/citizen-psychologist/biographies-videos.)
It is interesting to note that these awardees often tell us they received more than they gave through their service. One benefit they report is the opportunity to learn about other disciplines and aspects of the human existence: Serving as a Citizen Psychologist exposes us to a range of perspectives on a common situation.
A second benefit is increased access to social networks, which are critical to expanding psychology's reach and ability to find new opportunities. Recommendations for vacated seats on boards, committees and other groups are often based on social as well as professional relationships.
Third, Citizen Psychologists can help organizations make sound data-based decisions by sharing their widely recognized expertise in research. Psychologists work with many disciplines and our research skills can be applied across a range of topics and contexts.
Serving as a Citizen Psychologist offers us intellectual stimulation, expands our professional and social networks, enables us to apply our skills in meaningful ways and gives us an opportunity to have a wonderful time contributing to the growth of our communities, whether at the local, state, national or international level.
For more information about the Citizen Psychologist initiative, visit www.apa.org/about/governance/citizen-psychologist/default .