Blickensderfer is a professor and coordinator of the Human Factors Graduate Program at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University.
Lazzara is an associate professor at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University.
Tell us a bit about your background: What is your area of research? What is your most recent journal-editing experience?
With a background in team performance, human performance measurement, human-in-the-loop simulation, cognitive task analysis, and training effectiveness, Beth L. Blickensderfer, PhD has over 20 years of experience researching human performance. She has designed training programs to teach general aviation pilots to interpret and understand weather displays and foster crew resource management skills in helicopter and fixed-wing pilots. In addition, she has developed metrics to assess human performance in aviation operations, nurses responding to cardiac arrest, and tennis teams. She is a past president of APA Division 21—Applied Experimental and Engineering Psychology, and has also held leadership positions in the Human Factors and Ergonomic Society. She earned an MS in industrial/organizational psychology and a PhD in human factors psychology from the University of Central Florida. She is currently a professor and coordinator of the Human Factors Graduate Program at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University.
Elizabeth H. Lazzara, PhD is an associate professor at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University. Prior to arriving at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, Lazzara received her PhD in applied experimental human factors psychology from the University of Central Florida.
Lazzara has published in a variety of outlets. Due to her continuing efforts, her publications have been cited over 4,500 times. Lazzara has had experiences in military, academic, and commercial settings where she strove to make a lasting and significant impact by advancing the science and practice of human performance, teamwork, team training, and performance measurement. She is currently an associate editor for Simulation and Gaming.
Briefly, what are your main priorities? For example, how will you grow readership, what type of scholarship would you like to see in the journal, and what kind of content are you hoping to attract?
The readership of Psychology of Leaders and Leadership (PLL) extends beyond managers and managerial issues. We plan to rebrand PLL as a more comprehensive journal by including issues that address all facets of leadership for individuals, teams, and organizations.
Another priority is to improve the linkage of PLL to the Society of Psychologists in Leadership (SPL). SPL is a professional society for psychologists who work as executives, managers, leaders, and consultants in a variety of sectors including business, government, health, community services, and consulting and academics. In short, SPL members have the academic background and the appetite to understand and apply current research findings to their daily work. While the readership of PLL is broader than SPL, we believe that linking more tightly to the SPL members’ needs will also hit the key needs of the readership.
We are accepting papers on leadership and management principles, including application of theories; first-hand experiences that illustrate effective leadership techniques, difficult situations, and failures; empirical research relevant to psychologists in leadership positions with clear practical implications; and book reviews on related topics.
Why is this journal important for the field? What is its relevance to society/public health? What are the hot issues in your area right now?
The link between research and practice remains a key to progress of individuals, organizations, and society. Thus, this journal with a highly practical bent provides a platform for applied research in leadership.
What challenges, if any, lie ahead for the field?
One of the biggest challenges is obtaining publication-quality articles from practitioners. Academic research pumps out findings at a high rate, but it is rare to close the loop and hear how research findings and theories have been applied in practice and with what result. Only by closing that loop is it possible for researchers to adequately respond to practitioners’ needs.
Do you have plans for a special issue or changes to the editorial process? Are you making any changes?
We are working to update the webpage with more detailed submission instructions. We are also looking for reviewers and potential editorial board members. Keeping the peer review process functioning at a high level requires a lot of help. Our first special issue will focus on leadership research in the healthcare domain.
Editor Spotlight features interviews with the newly-appointed editors of APA Journals.
APA Journals produces an array of scholarly journals that cover the spectrum of modern psychology and feature the latest research in the field.
Psychology of Leaders and Leadership is a scholarly publication sponsored by the Society of Psychologists in Leadership (SPL). It explores how those in managerial positions can use the science of psychology to help themselves and their organizations perform more effectively. The journal is interested in psychological research findings that can be used by those in managerial positions and also in psychological insights shared by those in managerial positions.