Terms Beginning in 2020
The Committee on Socioeconomic Status (CSES) is pleased to invite nominations for service on the committee. CSES anticipates two membership vacancies and requests qualified candidates to serve three-year terms commencing January 2020. Nominations can originate from individuals, APA committees, boards and divisions, SPTAs, as well as self-nominations. This year, CSES is seeking to fill a seat with an education focus and an open seat.
APA is engaged in a process of transformation, placing a much greater emphasis on making an impact that clearly benefits society and improves lives. In February 2019, the Council of Representatives adopted a new strategic plan that sets APA’s organizational priorities for the next three to five years. Going forward, boards and committees will work in an integrated, collaborative, and multi-disciplinary manner since no single board or committee can achieve any of the plan’s objectives on their own. Given the importance of this approach to the Association’s strategic priorities, APA encourages nominees to the Committee on Socioeconomic Status to review the strategic plan to become familiar with the larger context in which their expertise and interests will contribute to APA’s success.
CSES Mission
The mission of CSES is to further the major purpose of APA “to advance psychology as a science and a profession and as a means of promoting health, education and human welfare” by ensuring that issues of socioeconomic status (SES) receive the full attention of the association. The committee identifies and acts as a catalyst in the association’s efforts to address issues of SES and promote appropriate attention to SES in psychological research and practice.
In this regard, the committee shall:
- Collect information and documentation concerning SES.
- Promote scientific understanding of the roles of poverty and SES in health, education and human welfare.
- Develop approaches to the application of psychology that take into account the effects of SES on psychological development and well-being.
- Advocate for social policy that will alleviate or reduce the disparities between SES groups.
Nominee Qualifications
Nominees are being sought who have expertise in psychological issues related to social class and SES inequalities, have conducted research that aided in the scientific understanding of the roles of SES or social class in psychology, or have developed approaches to the application of psychology taking into account the effects of SES on psychological development and well-being. Nominees with diverse clinical, academic or professional experiences in related fields are encouraged to apply. CSES has a strong commitment to full diversity in representation (e.g., ethnicity, culture, gender, age, disability, sexual orientation, geographic location, early career, retired and individuals who are employed less than full time).
CSES members are required to attend one in-person meeting each year in Washington, D.C., with expenses reimbursed by APA. In 2020, the meeting is scheduled for March 20-22. Committee members also work on CSES priorities between in-person meetings and will be expected to participate in monthly virtual meetings, a series of virtual meetings in the fall, and regular listserv discussions. In addition, CSES members are encouraged to attend CSES related symposia and events at the APA Annual Convention if possible, though expenses cannot be reimbursed.
How to Apply
Each applicant must be an APA member. The nomination packet must include the following information:
- A current curriculum vitae of nominee.
- A letter of intent from the nominee describing his/her/their willingness to serve and a statement that highlights what he/she/they would like to contribute to advancing the mission of CSES.
- A brief description of the nominee’s qualifications, specifically highlighting the nominee’s interests and focus.
- Letters of recommendation are not required. However, up to two letters of recommendation will be accepted per nominee.
Nomination applications must be received in their entirety by Monday, Sept. 9, 2019, and should be sent to Sophie Haber-Sage. The official nomination website may be found here.
For additional information about the application process, please contact the APA Office on Socioeconomic Status at (202) 216-7601.