Earlier this year, I had the privilege of hosting a town hall meeting to hear directly about the challenges our members are facing and their concerns about the future of research and practice in the years ahead. During the town hall and in the days that followed, I heard from Division 20 members at all stages of their careers about how changes in government priorities have affected your ability to conduct research, provide care, and train students and mentees. I heard your concerns about how implemented and proposed changes threaten the programs and safety nets that support the health, well-being, and independence of older adults. I also heard your worries about threats to the core values of APA and our division, particularly our commitment to advancing diversity, equity, and inclusion in both research and practice. To say we are living in unprecedented times is both a cliché and an understatement.
The good and bad news is that this is only the beginning of what will be a sustained effort. It is bad news because, in just a few months, we have already seen changes that have affected so many so deeply. It is good news because, at this early stage, we as individuals, as psychologists, and as a division have the opportunity to engage in meaningful efforts to alter the course of these damaging trends and to champion the importance of research and services that improve the lives of older people. Across a variety of psychological and health domains, early intervention is essential, and the same holds true for the health and well-being of research and practice in adult development and aging. Now is the time to act.
After talking with members of our division, it is clear to me that the piece I am writing does not need to spell out what must be done. We all understand the importance of making our voices heard and communicating to lawmakers and the public the value of what psychologists have to offer. What matters now is providing the tools and fostering motivation to help us take action, lower barriers to engagement, and inspire others to get involved. Maintaining motivation is especially important, given that while we advocate for others, we are also managing the personal and professional impacts of changes in government funding and priorities on our own lives.
How can we maintain long-term engagement in our advocacy efforts, even while juggling other obligations? Not surprisingly, psychology offers some answers. External cues to action can help reinforce habits, so if you haven’t already, I encourage you to join the Psychology Advocacy Network. You’ll receive regular updates with simple steps you can take to support psychological science.
Goals and implementation intentions are important too. Make a specific plan, such as engaging in one advocacy activity each week, and link it to a regular cue. For example, commit to something as simple as writing or calling your representatives every Monday at the start of your lunch break. Finally, let your actions have a multiplier effect. Share your goals, progress, and plans with others and on social media to inspire action. Social influence can play a powerful role in shaping intentions and encouraging others to engage. Imagine the impact if all 1,000+ members of Division 20 engaged in regular, sustained advocacy efforts. If each of us committed to one advocacy activity per week, such as sending an email, making a phone call, or writing a letter to the editor, we would generate more than 52,000 communications in support of psychological science from our division alone over the course of a year.
My ask of you is to make a commitment now or recommit to engaging in advocacy actions that support psychological science and the funding and training opportunities necessary to ensure the health, well-being, and quality of life of individuals across the lifespan. Just one activity a week can make a big difference. And to publicly share that commitment with others both inside and outside of the profession. Our collective voice is powerful, and that power is needed now more than ever to advance the values and goals of Division 20 and APA as a whole.
I will conclude by saying that I am looking forward to discussing these issues, as well as other ways we can expand the impact and reach of our division, together with new Division 20 President Becky Allen, PhD. I especially want to thank Gloria Luong, PhD and Nelson Roque for putting together a wonderful convention program, and I extend my gratitude to everyone who submitted abstracts. Although we were not able to include all submissions due to limited programming hours, every submission reflected the critical importance of psychological science in supporting successful lifespan development and aging, as well as the core values of our division and APA.
As always, please feel free to email and share your ideas. Together, we can advance the mission of Division 20, making a lasting difference in the lives of older adults and in the field of adult development and aging.