Washington — Linda M. Woolf, PhD, a professor of psychology and international human rights at Webster University in St. Louis, Missouri, has been elected 2027 president of the American Psychological Association.
Woolf will bring more than three decades of leadership, scholarship and advocacy to the role. She is widely recognized for her work on ethics, social justice, mass political violence and global human rights. Her teaching and research span topics such as Holocaust education, LGBTQIA+ rights, peace psychology and the psychosocial roots of violence.
“I am deeply honored to serve as APA’s 2027 president,” Woolf said. “Psychologists have a vital role in shaping a more just and humane world. My commitment is to amplify our collective voice in support of ethics, science, education and human dignity.”
Woolf’s extensive service to APA includes two terms on the APA Council of Representatives, presidencies of Div. 2 (Society for the Teaching of Psychology) and Div. 48 (Society for the Study of Peace, Conflict, and Violence) and membership on key committees such as the Ethics Code Task Force and the Committee for Global Psychology. She also chaired the Member-Initiated Task Force to Reconcile Policies Related to Psychologists’ Involvement in National Security Settings and co-chaired the Indigenous Apology Work Group.
Woolf is a widely published author with numerous articles and book chapters addressing the intersection of psychology and human rights. In recognition of her work, she has received numerous awards, including an APA Presidential Citation in 2014 and the 2020 APF Charles L. Brewer Distinguished Teaching of Psychology Award, which recognizes a significant career of contributions as an exceptional teacher of psychology.
A fellow of APA and six of its divisions, Woolf is known for fostering inclusive dialogue and equitable solutions to complex challenges, mirroring her campaign goal of “Many Voices, One Psychology.” Her election signals APA’s continued commitment to global engagement, ethical leadership and the transformative power of psychological science.
“In these times of political uncertainty and division, APA must stand firmly for science, human dignity and rights, respect for people and justice,” Woolf said. “My leadership experience and these values will guide me as I serve as APA president.”