Rebecca Tukachinsky Forster, PhD

Tukachinsky Forster is an associate professor in the School of Communication Studies at Chapman University.

Tell us a bit about your background: What is your area of research? What is your most-recent journal-editing experience? 

I earned my PhD in communication with a minor in social psychology from the University of Arizona and am currently an associate professor of communication at Chapman University. My research in media psychology explores the psychological processes underlying media uses and effects, particularly in the context of intergroup relationships, social identity, and psychological well-being.

I recently served as an associate editor for Human Communication Research, an official journal of the International Communication Association published by Oxford University Press. In this role, I worked closely under the leadership of Jonathan Cohen, Yariv Tsfati, and Steven Wilson, whose mentorship significantly informed my editorial practices. I am looking forward to applying these lessons in my role as incoming editor-in-chief of the Psychology of Popular Media. I have been part of this journal for many years as an author, reviewer, board member, and guest editor. I am excited for this amazing new chapter!

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?

Psychology of Popular Media is a strong journal with an established readership and impact thanks to the work of outgoing editor Karen Shackleford. My priority is to continue building on this foundation to further expand the journal’s influence across both psychology and communication. I envision the journal as a venue for premier research in media psychology with a focus on popular media.

In collaboration with an outstanding team of associate editors, I am developing a series of special issues that will address timely, socially consequential issues with theoretical significance and real-world implications. The first of these will focus on the role of popular media in shaping perceptions, stereotypes, and intergroup relationships among racial, ethnic or national, cultural, and religious groups, reflecting APA’s continuing commitment to equity, diversity, and inclusion (EDI), which is important in the current social climate.

In addition, I plan to expand the use of preregistered research reports and open data practices as part of a broader effort to enhance transparency, strengthen theory development, and address concerns about replicability in psychological science. Together, these initiatives aim to broaden the journal’s readership, attract high-quality submissions from scholars across career stages and backgrounds, and advance rigorous and impactful scholarship in the field.

Why is this journal important for the field? What is its relevance to society and public health?

It is hard to overstate the role of media in contemporary society. The journal offers space for a scientific discourse about timely and consequential psychological questions concerning people’s use of new technologies, platforms, and content and their psychological effects. The journal spans a wide variety of topics, from social media influencers, generative artificial intelligence, and cancel culture to celebrity politics, all of which directly relate to individuals’ psychological well-being and public health.

What advice would you offer to new authors hoping to publish in the journal? What are you looking for in a manuscript?

The journal seeks quality submissions that fit within its scope. This includes empirical, theory-driven research that examines the psychological experiences of human interaction with popular media from a psychological perspective. The journal capitalizes on theoretical and methodological rigor, expecting studies to be not only guided by theory but also contributing to theory building. The focus on popular media underscores the social relevancy of the work we would like to see published. I encourage authors to familiarize themselves with the journal’s aims and frame their papers to align with these goals. Explaining this alignment in a cover letter may be helpful if a paper’s fit for the journal is not obvious.

How will the journal reflect APA’s commitment to EDI in its practices and systems?

I share APA’s commitment to use science to advance communities in which all members feel safe and supported. This commitment is reflected in the journal through the editorial practices and scholarship we elevate. We seek submissions from authors from diverse backgrounds. The editorial board continues to grow to increase representation of different perspectives that reflect diverse backgrounds, including race, gender, age, career stage, LGBTQ identity, and other marginalized social identities. The journal further promotes EDI by soliciting research on this topic for our first special issue. This work can advance the field by increasing awareness and supporting data-informed decision-making that meaningfully contributes to more equitable systems and practices.

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?

I am looking forward to facilitating rigorous, theory-driven research in media psychology, addressing timely social issues. This research offers implications for psychological practice and policy while also encouraging translational work that utilizes scientific insight in developing real-world interventions.