The Early Career Task Force (ECTF): Special Interest Group (SIG) initiative will be launching its second of three recruitment efforts starting on June 1. You can access the recruitment survey at https://forms.gle/mV5WHzktnnpgryTg8opens in new window.
In addition to this recruitment effort, many SIGs have been busy launching their own initiatives and achieving milestones. Here are some highlights:
Coping, Resilience, and Successful Aging (CRSA): Hosted a talk by renowned health and aging psychologist, Dr. David Almeida, entitled “Health as a Daily Experience: Lessons from 42, 243 Days of US Adultsopens in new window.” Continues to promote work by members and others related to the SIG via weekly tweets @APADiv20CrsSig as well as see an increase in membership (currently at nearly 150 members!).
End of Life: Dr. Janet McCord, one of the leaders of this SIG, will become director of the Master of Science in Thanatology program at Edgewood Collegeopens in new window in Madison, WI starting in August. Congrats, Dr. McCord!
Quality of Life/Health-Related Quality of Life: Will start a monthly consultation group that covers a range of topics, including clinical, research, and academic interests, in an effort to foster community and develop new resources. The first group will be held on July 11. This SIG also aims to review different quality of life measures and make them accessible on their dedicated space on the Division 20 website.
Addressing Ageism and Attitudes Toward Aging (A4) SIG: Has been regularly hosting open forums for members to network, connect, and discuss ageism in research, practice, and the field. This SIG’s journal club offers opportunities to examine ageism in the literature.
Coping, Resilience, and Successful Aging: Created a Twitter account – follow this SIG @APADiv20CrsSIG. Held its first-ever SIG journal club meeting in March. Hosted a talk by Emily Mroz and Shubam Sharma titled “The Power of the Life Story: Use of Personal Memories for Coping, Resilience, and Psychological Development in Older Adults” and another talk by David Almeida titled “Health as a Daily Experience: Lessons from 42, 243 Days of US Adults.”
End of Life SIG: Had an end-of-life related symposium accepted for presentation at APA that includes three SIG leaders (Rebecca Morse, Rachael Spalding, and Alissa Dark-Freudeman) and two SIG members (Emily Mroz and Caitlin Reynolds), “Avoidance to Awareness: A Conversation on Dying and Loss in Research, Practice, and Our Own Lives.”
Research Methods SIG: Hosted a ‘successful conversation hour’ featuring eminent speakers in collaboration with the Alzheimer’s Disease and Related Dementias (ADRD) SIG, and organized a well-received symposium at the annual Gerontological Society of America (GSA) meeting.
All SIGs are now featured on the website: https://www.apadivisions.org/division-20/membership/special-interest-groups
If you would like to learn more about the SIG initiative or join or lead a SIG, please contact Nicole DePasquale (nicole.depasquale@duke.edu).