I’d like to welcome everyone to the Div. 21 spring newsletter for 2017. We’ve had a busy year, with a number of events and changes that I’m excited to tell you about.
First, Div. 21 helped to sponsor SHARC, a graduate student-organized conference held in Raleigh, N. C. Conceived, fundraised and run entirely by students, this conference brought together members of graduate programs across the southeast to present their work as posters, learn about careers in human factors, network with each other, and meet speakers in job domains desired by the students. Div. 21 sponsored a poster session and handed out flyers recruiting new members for the division.
Second, the division was contacted by APA member services this year to discuss ideas for growing membership. We are participating in a pilot program for APA where they will work with us on measuring and improving the benefits of belonging to APA, increasing our strengths, and working on our weaknesses. This is in progress, but some of the ideas we can look forward to are:
- APA is organizing a conference on Technology, Mind and Society, to be held in Washington, DC, on April 5-7, 2018. This will be a science-oriented APA conference for divisions similar to ours. For example, Div. 3 (Experimental Psychology) and Div. 20 (Adult Development and Aging) may be involved. This cozier setting should promote more cross-division attendance and exploration. Our own president-elect, Robert Proctor, is part of the planning committee for this conference.
- A series of webinars aimed at the issues our members care about (and our members-to-be). The content is not yet determined but could be cutting-edge work from scientists in our division and/or discussions of career paths and opportunities.
- Publications about our division in APA materials. These might be highlights of individuals and their work or general articles on the impact of applied experimental psychology. Venues could include the APA Monitor and the APA Graduate Student site (APAGS).
Third, this year also brought major updates to our division website, hosted by APA. Fully updated and reorganized, we now match the structure of other divisions in APA. Usability commentary was not invited, but despite some small issues deep in the menus, I think it is a step in a good direction.
Finally, we have an amazing lineup for the 2017 program at APA in Washington, DC, this August. In addition to our award winners, we will be showcasing a symposium from the CREATE research team, who won the APA Prize for Interdisciplinary Research this year.
Interdisciplinarity is a theme, with a second symposium focused on interdisciplinary work by our members. We also have a number of posters this year with some cross-cutting themes across divisions. As usual, all members are encouraged to attend the business meeting at the time set in the program.
Thank you all for your help this year -the support and institutional memory of the executive committee cannot be overstated. I was honored to be a part of continuing the traditions of our division.