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CODAPAR grant project: Oral histories

On the shoulders of activist scholars: Building healthy environments for immigrants, refugees, and asylum seekers

Date created: November 15, 2021 3 min read
APA Style leaf logo Cite This Article in APA Style
American Psychological Association. (2021, November 15). CODAPAR grant project: Oral histories. https://www.apadivisions.org/division-24/news-events/oral-history

man interviewing another man in front of a video camera

About this oral history qualitative research: Project researchers have completed a total of 22 oral histories, with at least 12 more in progress, documenting the ecology of detention in the United States, as well as the effects of immigration policy for those who have been deported. This process also aims to document the lived experience of immigrants in detention centers through interviews with volunteers who have made site visits to detention center sites. This project is part of a grant from the Council on Division and APA Relations (CODAPAR) that Div. 24 spearheaded in collaboration with other APA divisions.

Featured oral history

Bill Salton presentation on “Training psychology graduate students to prepare psychological affidavits for asylum seekersopens in new window"


About the webinar

As attorneys working with psychologists, social workers and other allies, we take the worst stories our clients carry and try to mold them into cognizable claims for relief, as well as serve as support systems during this process. One of our greatest assets are memories of our clients, particularly the specific details and contexts we use to show credibility. However, the effect of trauma on memory is well documented- often times the most painful moments are hardest to clearly remember. So how can we as attorneys—often collaborating with psychologists, social workers and allied professionals who are members of our team—help our clients remember the things anyone would want to forget? In this training we’ll discuss the latest research in neuropsychology and what it can tell us about how we remember. We will review concrete approaches to reduce client stress during interviews as well as how to best support clients before, during, and after testimony. Finally, we’ll look at what we can do to support ourselves and our colleagues in this vital and difficult work.

About the presenter

Before transitioning to a career in the law, Geoff Kagan Trenchard taught creative writing in high needs schools, foster care centers, and jails for over 10 years. He regularly facilitates trainings on how to work with clients who have experienced trauma and how to use literary techniques in legal writing. He is currently a Staff Attorney for the New York City Anti-Violence Project and works extensively with the New Sanctuary Coalition’s free legal clinic.

About the webinar organizers

This webinar is the third of several to be sponsored by the American Psychological Association (APA) Committee on Division/APA Relations (CODAPAR)-funded grant project on immigrant and refugee advocacy. The project is being spearheaded by APA’s Div. 24 in collaboration with APA Divs. 5, 9, 27, 32, 37, 39, 45, 48, 52, and 56.

Additional oral histories

Wesleyan University transcripts