Board/Committee Members: Jeffrey M. Zacks, PhD, Chair; Carmela Alcantara, PhD; Allyson J. Bennett, PhD; Suzette M. Evans, PhD; Noelle Hurd, PhD; Debra A. Major, PhD; Arthur M. Nezu, PhD; Fred L. Oswald, PhD; and Janet K. Swim, PhD
Staff Liaison(s): Suzanne Wandersman and Amber Story, PhD
Board of Scientific Affairs (BSA) contributed to APA’s response to climate change by developing a resolution that was approved by the Council of Representatives and led to the appointment of a task force that will review APA’s past and current work on climate change and make recommendations for future work.
BSA’s contributions to this initiative utilizes psychology to make a positive impact on critical societal issues, by increasing the influence of psychology on policy decisions related to climate change at the international and national levels. These contributions also elevate the public’s understanding of and use of psychology by making psychological science accessible and understandable to the public and key decision makers.
In addition, BSA contributions in the climate change arena strengthens APA’s standing as an authoritative voice for psychology, particularly as it relates to a better understanding of the psychological research in this area.
BSA members drafted and forwarded a memo outlining actions the APA Publications & Communications (P&C) Board could take to address racial/ethnic inequalities in psychology research and publication practices following the publication of a paper by Steven O. Roberts and colleagues (2020). The P&C Board reviewed the memo and proposed to establish a joint task force with BSA to review issues of racial/ethnic inequalities in psychology research and publication practices. The P&C Board proposed that the joint task force would build upon the work currently done by APA staff in equity, diversity and inclusion initiatives and that the outcomes of the joint task would include recommendations for implementation, timing and identification of tasks and responsibilities across P&C, BSA, and the Council of Editors.
BSA’s collaborative work with P&C prepares the discipline and profession of psychology for the future, by attracting, diversifying, developing, and supporting the next generation of psychology professionals.
BSA members met with representatives of the Membership Board to discuss how to ensure the value of the association to scientists/academics and refine communication about APA’s value in order to improve APA’s reach to this constituency. BSA developed recommendations that were shared with the Membership Board. BSA also agreed that APA’s work in the animal research area is a unique source of value to scientists and should be amplified in the membership efforts.
BSA’s collaborative efforts with the Membership Board prepares the discipline and profession of psychology for the future by attracting, diversifying, developing, and supporting the next generation of psychology professionals. In addition, this collaboration helps to engage with and deliver value to members by providing resources, opportunities, and networks that help all members.