Michael Kelley, PhD, BCBA-D

Kelley is a clinical professor in the Department of Psychiatry at Michigan State University.

What are your main priorities as editor-in-chief, and what type of scholarship do you hope to attract?

My main priority is to expand the impact and dissemination of behavior analytic principles and research, ultimately improving the human condition through science-based solutions. I view Behavior Analysis: Research and Practice (BAR) as a critical bridge between behavior analysis and related mainstream sciences. I plan to attract and publish scholarship that demonstrates this connection to grow readership and increase our influence.

I hope that my “dual role” as a practicing licensed psychologist and Board Certified Behavioral Analyst-Doctoral (BCBA-D) fosters “home-grown” engagement with mainstream findings and topics. I’m especially interested in research that uses behavior analytic principles to shed light on common psychological phenomena or that combines traditional psychological techniques with behavior analytic procedures. I’ll prioritize creative applications while maintaining a firm commitment to the core concepts of our science.

What challenges do you see ahead for the field, and how will the journal address them?

A significant challenge for our field is its tendency to operate in isolation from other mainstream sciences. This issue can lead to our contributions going unnoticed or even being misappropriated. Similarly, our heavy reliance on single-subject research can sometimes act as a barrier to wider dissemination and acceptance of our findings.

To address these issues, we purposefully will bridge the gap between single-subject and group-based research designs, and we will encourage the integration of mainstream scientific concepts like various forms of validity. The spirit of open science is a natural fit for behavior analysis, and we will encourage authors to be more transparent in their methodology to enhance the credibility of our work and aid in research discovery.

What advice would you offer to new authors hoping to publish in the journal?

My advice is to think with a broader scope. I am looking for manuscripts that not only adhere to the rigorous standards of behavior analysis but also speak to a wider scientific audience. I want to see work that creatively applies behavior analytic principles to illuminate phenomena traditionally studied within mainstream psychology, such as using a functional analytic approach to inform differential diagnosis, addressing bizarre speech in individuals with schizophrenia, applying bio-behavioral approaches to symptoms of ADHD—the sky’s the limit. I’m also keen on manuscripts that integrate and discuss traditional validity concepts alongside our more common focus on social and ecological validity. To support this vision, I plan to actively recruit a strong, diverse editorial board that shares this understanding and is committed to timely reviews.

How will the journal reflect APA’s commitment to equity, diversity, and inclusion (EDI) in its practices and systems?

I believe science and practice must incorporate EDI for maximum efficacy. I am committed to having BAR reflect APA’s commitment to EDI. My approach is to take a scientifically supported action plan to increase submissions from underrepresented groups. I will delegate specific tasks to experts, such as recruiting an EDI expert to help review our procedures and develop a task list. A key guiding principle for selecting associate editors and Editorial Board members will be their commitment to and demonstrated understanding of EDI principles. My goal is for BAR to not only advance our science but do so in an equitable, diverse, and inclusive way.

Explore APA Journals’ EDI initiatives.

How will your editorship further support APA’s mission to promote psychological science and knowledge to benefit society and improve lives?

APA and BAR have shared goals. My editorship is entirely focused on furthering APA’s mission through our dissemination. I aim to expand the influence of our science to a wider audience by intentionally positioning BAR as a bridge between behavior analysis and psychology. APA supports publishing rigorous, high-impact research that uses a strong theoretical base to solve problems of social significance. This perspective will not only grow the journal’s standing but, more importantly, it will increase the dissemination of science-based solutions that can improve lives in meaningful ways, from public health to clinical practice and beyond.