The American Psychological Association (APA) is currently seeking nominations for seven (7) members to serve on a working group for APA President-Elect, Rosie Philips Davis’ 2019 Presidential Deep Poverty Initiative (DPI). The deadline for submission is August 15, 2018.
About the Deep Poverty Initiative: The American Psychological Association (APA) is well positioned to lead this initiative that proposes moving beyond understanding causes and consequences of poverty- towards using psychological science as a catalyst to:
- Change attitudes and perceptions: Utilize psychological science (along with related communications science in framing and persuasion) to challenge biases, stereotypes, prejudicial attitudes, and narratives about people living in poverty that lead to discriminatory behaviors and decision making.
- Change policy: Re-frame negative poverty-related attitudes to garner political support for effective safety net and other scalable programming that benefit those living in deep poverty and mitigate ineffective/inequitable policies.
- Change practice: Build the capacity of poverty serving organizations to access and utilize psychological science to more effectively promote and implement evidence-based antipoverty programming and policies in their communities of influence
The APA Presidential Deep Poverty Initiative (DPI) will launch January 2019. Monthly virtual planning meetings involving the appointed working group will begin September 2018. Additionally, working group members will be expected to attend two in-person meetings during 2019 in Washington, DC, with expenses paid by APA. The DPI Working Group members must be prepared to work collaboratively to develop products under firm deadlines. Working Group members must be available and able to schedule virtual meetings in a timely manner. The DPI Working Group will provide regular reports on activities and progress to the 2018 President-Elect/2019 President, Rosie Phillips Davis.
Criteria for Selection: Psychologists from a variety of perspectives and orientations are welcome and encouraged to consider applying. Well-developed research, writing and editorial skills, clinical expertise, advocacy skills and experience with diverse populations living in poverty are important criteria for selection. Selection of members will also consider various geographic locations, and different work settings. Familiarity with using technology for virtual meetings and collaboration on product development is desirable. Nominees should be members of the APA.
Nomination materials should include:
- Letter from the nominee, including statement of the nominee’s willingness to serve, and how nominee’s expertise and qualifications can contribute to the three goals of the initiative.
- Nominee’s current curriculum vitae.