After a challenging 2020, we enter the new year with a hopeful focus on APA and psychology’s future. This past year has forced us all to think creatively, consider new possibilities, and work together toward the promise of a healthier and safer tomorrow.
But that promise of tomorrow would not be here without the intentional investments—commitments of energy, time, and attention—that APA and our members made in 2020. A few examples include:
Advancing APA’s strategic vision. APA’s strategic plan, co-created with input from leaders and members across the association and adopted in 2019, was critical to our ability to respond to the unparalleled demands of 2020. Time spent last year operationalizing the plan’s priorities, building our capacity for doing effective work, and fostering a collaborative organizational culture means that APA and psychology can hit the ground running in 2021, pursuing the positive impact desired by our members.
Supporting members and staff. Last year was about helping APA staff and members get through the pandemic and adapt to a world shaped by COVID-19. By supporting our staff and members in both their personal and professional roles, we enter 2021 confident that we have the tools, skills, and knowledge necessary to be flexible and navigate the uncertainty ahead in the many settings in which psychologists work, such as health care and education, as well as for the work of the association.
Expanding advocacy. Despite being 100% virtual for most of 2020, our advocacy capacity grew in important ways. We spoke out with psychological science and utilized the power of coalitions on issues like telehealth, research funding, racial disparities, and data collection, and we formed strategic partnerships to have greater impact. Thanks to these efforts to elevate policymakers’ understanding of psychology’s contributions across a broad range of issues, we enter 2021 with more decision-makers who understand and value the importance of using psychological knowledge to address complex societal issues.
These investments and many others have gotten us through 2020’s challenges and positioned APA to be even more effective in accomplishing its mission. Dolly Parton, one of my favorite artists, once said, “Storms make trees take deeper roots.” The storms we weathered and roots we deepened in 2020 will enable APA and psychology to excel in 2021 and improve the lives of those we serve.
Arthur C. Evans Jr., PhD, is APA CEO. Follow him on Twitter: @ArthurCEvans