Committees

Marie Comiskey

In 2005, the APLS Book Award Committee was formed.  The committee considers, on a biennial basis, edited or authored books published during the preceding two years that have been nominated to receive the APLS Book Award. Nominations may be made by anyone, and self-nominations are encouraged. The award is given to the author(s) or editor(s) of a book that makes an outstanding contribution to the field of law and psychology (broadly defined). The winner of the award receives an award plaque and is invited to deliver an address at the APLS conference. Committee members (five PhDs) review the nominations received and the books nominated, and determine the winner(s) of the award.

Kathleen Kemp

The Conference Advisory Committee was formed in March of 2005 to evaluate Div. 41’s annual conference and recommend improvements when needed. Committee membership consists of (but is not limited to) past and present conference co-chairs. Committee members are responsible for administering an annual conference evaluation survey, meeting to discuss and process conference attendee feedback, and brainstorming innovative improvements to upcoming conferences. Members interested in joining, please contact the committee chairperson..

Amanda Zelechoski

The continuing education (CE) workshops planned by the Continuing Education Committee are the primary vehicle for the American Psychology-Law Society's vision of translation of knowledge into practice. Through CE workshops, AP-LS conference participants receive in-depth exposure to important developments and innovations in psychology-law and skills training that they can use in practice and/or can pass along to students and colleagues. The society's core values of knowledge and application based on methods of science, outstanding service to its members and society, and continual pursuit of excellence are the driving force behind the CE workshops on psychology-law presented to our members. 

Sarah Miller

The AP-LS Corrections Committee was founded in 2009 to increase the presence of correctional practice and research within the division. To this end, we (1) invite distinguished practitioners and researchers to deliver addresses on topical issues at the annual AP-LS conference, (2) co-sponsor an outstanding student research in corrections award with the AP-LS Student Section, (3) sponsor practitioner-oriented panels for the APA conference, and (4) offer networking opportunities for researchers and practitioners who do work relevant to corrections. If you are interested in learning more about the Corrections Committee, its initiatives or how you can contribute, please contact the Corrections Committee Chair Sarah Miller.

Jacqueline Evans

The American Psychology-Law Society confers Dissertation Awards for scientific research and scholarship that is relevant to the promotion of the interdisciplinary study of psychology and law. Dissertation award committee members (approximately 15 members who have completed their PhDs) review submitted dissertations and rate them based on four criteria: originality, quality, contribution, and presentation. The committee is intentionally large so that each member will not be unduly burdened with the review process. At each annual conference, the first-, second- and third-place award winners are invited to present their research. Those interested in joining the committee should contact the committee chair.

Sarah Desmarais

The Early Career Professionals (ECP) Committee is responsible for: (1) developing and maintaining programs that address needs typically encountered by ECPs; (2) working with other AP-LS committees in pursuing agendas of relevance to ECPs; and (3) acting as a liaison to the APA Committee on Early Career Psychologists. At present, a primary responsibility of the AP-LS ECP Committee is to oversee the peer-reviewed ECP Grants-in-Aid program. The ECP Committee also hosts workshops or other skills-advancing events at the annual AP-LS conference, and facilitates social and networking events at the annual AP-LS and APA conferences. The chair or one of the committee's members typically authors a column in the AP-LS newsletter each year. 

John Edens

The Fellows Committee is comprised of three members, each of whom is an AP-LS fellow. The committee reviews applications from those interested in becoming fellows. Those seeking additional information about becoming fellows of APA through AP-LS (which requires APA membership) or becoming distinguished members of AP-LS (comparable requirement except no APA membership needed, nor do they become APA fellows) should contact the committee chair.. 

Robert Cramer

The Grants in Aid Committee strives to encourage research across a range of psycholegal research topics. The committee consists of two forensic clinical and two social/experimental psychological professionals. Committee members are employed across both academic and non-academic settings in order to promote research in underdeveloped areas of basic and applied research. This group has been proud of its ability to fund proposals for graduate level research across a range of institutions while maintaining a balance between applied and theory-driven research pertinent to law and psychology. The Grants in Aid Committee has two annual funding cycles with deadlines in January and September.

Vanessa Edkins

The Investment Oversight Committee is responsible for advising the Executive Committee on the recruitment and retention of an investment firm to handle AP-LS investments; monitoring the performance of the investment firm; and serving as a liaison between the investment firm and the Executive Committee. The Investment Oversight Committee does not make recommendations or decisions about individual investment purchases. 

The Legal Scholars Committee is responsible for promoting the recruitment and retention of legal scholars in the society.

Christopher L. Bishop and Jorge Varela

The Minority Affairs Committee was revitalized in April 2005. The committee is committed to facilitating activities and developing opportunities within the psychology and law division that embrace, respect and value diversity. We are dedicated to the recruitment and retention of culturally and linguistically diverse students into psychology and law related doctoral programs, and faculty into psychology and law related academic and professional positions. The committee comprises 17 members (academicians, researchers, clinicians, practitioners, graduate and doctoral students) representing a diversity of backgrounds and expertise in the field. For more information regarding the Minority Affairs Committee, please contact the co-chairs listed above. 

David DeMatteo

The Nomination and Awards Committee is responsible for preparing a slate for elected positions, the Distinguished Contributions Award, and the Saleem Shah Early Career Award. Most activity takes place from fall to mid-February; nominations for elected positions are due to APA by Feb. 15; AP-LS conference chairs typically require names of awardees and supporting information by mid- to late January.

Rachel Kalbeitzer

The Practice Committee provides guidance to the Executive Committee, editors, and committee chairs concerning broad issues about practice, such national and international trends affecting the psychology-law practice and the development and dissemination of information that is useful for psychology-law practitioners.

Angela Crossman

This committee was formed in 2008 and comprises male and female AP-LS members who represent both practice and academic settings. The committee's goal is to promote the professional development of women, particularly during early to later career transitions. By identifying and addressing potential obstacles to career advancement, we hope to promote better representation of women at top levels of academic and professional rank (full professors; diplomates) and greater recognition of women's achievement in APLS and AAFP. Through conference events, mentoring and an email list, the committee targets areas of professional development intended to appeal to women and men at all levels of their career, such as: negotiating professional relationships, balancing work and family, and putting oneself forward for career advancement and awards. We welcome your input.

Margaret Bull Kovera

The Publications Committee consists of the editors of the society's journal (chair), book series, newsletter, and Web page. The Publication Committee advises the Executive Committee and society membership on general publication issues, reviews publication contracts, and leads the nomination process for editor vacancies.

The Research Committee provides guidance to the Executive Committee, editors, and committee chairs concerning broad issues about research, such as the promotion of research funding for psychology-law issues, national and international research trends, ethics in research, evidence-based approaches to practice and policy, and mentoring in research.

Mark Costanzo

The committee oversees the process by which scientific review papers (or white papers) are prepared, reviewed and approved. Only those topics that are approved by the Executive Committee of AP-LS will be considered for a white paper. The committee chair is responsible for appointing the lead author, working with the lead author, and approving additional members of the writing group. The committee chair will ensure that the process involves extensive opportunities for wide input from AP-LS members, which will normally include postings of a draft for AP-LS member comments, presentation of the paper at an AP-LS annual conference meeting, and targeted reviews by other experts solicited by the committee chair as appropriate, including the editor of Law and Human Behavior. The manuscript will be submitted to Law and Human Behavior for publication and requires approval of the Executive Committee of AP-LS before it becomes an official scientific review paper of AP-LS.  

Sara Appleby

The Social Media Committee is responsible for investigating the appropriateness of various social media outlets for an AP-LS presence, making recommendations to the Executive Committee for establishing appropriate presences, and launching and maintaining the social media outlets. The Social Media Committee also coordinates with the student section regarding its social media initiatives. The committee will develop and maintain guidelines to educate committee and AP-LS members about best practices for using social media for professional purposes. The Social Media Committee will explore the development of apps (and other new technology) to facilitate member interaction and activities at conferences and within the AP-LS organization.  

Nadja Schreiber Compo

The goal of the APLS Teaching, Training and Careers Committee is to help further the careers of junior- and senior-level professionals in the field of psychology and law. Our focus is broad, targeting professionals at teaching institutions to those at research intensive universities and private companies to clinicians in forensic practice. We have developed several helpful guides for prospective and current students, and also promote the teaching of psychology and law by sponsoring an annual award, and by collecting and disseminating sample syllabi and other teaching materials. The current committee is comprised of six APLS members. For more information, please contact the committee chairperson.

Meredith Allison

The Undergraduate Paper Award Committee was formed in 2005 to coordinate yearly recognition for high-quality mentored undergraduate research in psychology and the law. The committee is composed of five faculty members from different areas of psychology and the law who advertise the award, review submissions and make award decisions. Details about the award and contact information are available online.