Committee Terms of Reference
Responsibilities: The Book Award committee is responsible for soliciting nominations for and determining the winner of the AP-LS Book Award, which recognizes outstanding scholarship in psychology and law. Winner(s) of the biennial award give an award address at the AP-LS conference.
Relation to AP-LS Vision, Mission and Values.: The Book Award Committee supports the following aspects of the AP-LS Vision: The major catalyst for stimulation, growth, and dissemination of psychology-law science and practice; t he primary resource for all psychology-law scholars and practitioners and for members of other disciplines with interests in psychology-law science and practice; the premier innovator in the education, development, and training of psychology-law scientists, practitioners and educators;
the leading advocate for psychology-law knowledge and practice informing practitioners, policy makers and the public to use psychology-law knowledge in the pursuit of justice for all citizens; a principal leader and global partner promoting psychology-law knowledge and methods to improve justice in diverse, multicultural and international contexts. The work of the Book Award Committee also supports the AP-LS Core Value of continual pursuit of excellence.
Meetings: The committee meets via phone, online, or in-person as needed to review nominations and determine an award winner.
Membership : The Committee membership consists of the Chair, a co-chair, and up to four additional AP-LS members. The Chair and Members are appointed by the AP-LS President.
Reporting: The Book Award committee provides a semi-annual or annual written report to the Executive Committee as requested by the AP-LS President. The Chair attends the Executive Committee meetings to discuss the report as needed.
Responsibilities: The Conference Advisory Committee is responsible for advising and assisting the Conference Committee Co-Chairs on organizing the Society's conferences. The Conference Advisory Committee also advises the Executive Committee on locations for future conferences and selects the student travel award(s) for the conference.
Relation to AP-LS Vision, Mission and Values: The Conference Advisory Committee supports the following aspects of the AP-LS Mission: the major catalyst for the stimulation and growth and dissemination of psychology-law science and practice; the primary resource for all psychology-law scholars and practitioners and for members of other disciplines with interest in psychology-law science and practice; the premier innovator in the education and development, and training of psychology-law scientists, practitioners, and educators; the leading advocate for psychology-law knowledge and practice informing practitioners, policy makers and the public to use psychology-law knowledge in the pursuit of justice for all citizens; a principle leader and global partner promoting psychology-law knowledge and methods to improve justice in diverse, multicultural and international contexts. The Conference Advisory Committee also supports the AP-LS Core Values of: continual pursuit of excellence; knowledge and application based on methods of science; outstanding service to its members and to society; and social justice, diversity and inclusion.
Meetings: The Conference Advisory Committee meets via phone conference or email several times during the year.
Membership: The Conference Advisory Committee consists of the Chair (3-year term) and former Conference Committee Co-Chairs. The Chair and Members are appointed by the AP-LS President.
Reporting: The Conference Advisory Committee provides a semi-annual or annual written report to the Executive Committee as requested by the AP-LS President. The Chair attends the Executive Committee meetings to discuss the report as needed.
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.
Responsibilities: The Continuing Education Committee is responsible for the provision of pre-conference continuing education workshops that are in compliance with APA or other appropriate professional standards. The committee ensures that workshops are high quality, evidence-based, and culturally diverse. The committee is also responsible for obtaining APA approval for offering CE credits.
Relation to AP-LS Vision, Mission and Values: The Continuing Education Committee supports the following aspects of the AP-LS Mission: the major catalyst for the stimulation and growth and dissemination of psychology-law science and practice; the primary resource for all psychology-law scholars and practitioners and for members of other disciplines with interest in psychology-law science and practice; the premier innovator in the education and development, and training of psychology-law scientists, practitioners, and educators; the leading advocate for psychology-law knowledge and practice informing practitioners, policy makers and the public to use psychology-law knowledge in the pursuit of justice for all citizens. The Continuing Education Committee also supports the AP-LS Core Values of: continual pursuit of excellence; knowledge and application based on methods of science; outstanding service to its members and to society; social justice, diversity and inclusion; and ethical action in all that we do.
Meetings: The Continuing Education Committee meets via phone conference at least two times per year.
Membership: The Continuing Education Committee consists of a Chair and up to five additional AP-LS members. The Chair and Members are appointed by the AP-LS President.
Reporting: The Continuing Education Committee provides a semi-annual or annual written report to the Executive Committee as requested by the AP-LS President. The Chair attends the Executive Committee meetings to discuss the report as needed. Reports are also prepared annually, at a minimum, to the American Psychological Association about continuing education activities during the reporting period.
Other: AP-LS pays an annual fee to APA to support continuing education activities.
Responsibilities: The purpose of this ad hoc committee is to address corrections-related issues within the division. The goal is for this committee to be a catalyst within AP-LS for stimulating, growing and disseminating corrections-related research that informs practice, policy, and the general public. Given the many concepts relevant to corrections that are related to issues of justice/fairness (including disparity/diversity issues), the promotion and dissemination of state-of-the-art, scientifically-supported corrections knowledge is of central importance to the Corrections Committee.
Relation to AP-LS Vision, Mission and Values: The Corrections Committee supports the following aspects of the AP-LS Mission: the leading advocate for psychology-law knowledge and practice informing practitioners, policy makers and the public to use psychology-law knowledge in the pursuit of justice for all citizens; a principle leader and global partner promoting psychology-law knowledge and methods to improve justice in diverse, multicultural and international contexts; and an effective champion of the application of psychology-law to promote human rights, dignity and justice. The Corrections Committee also supports the AP-LS Core Values of: continual pursuit of excellence; knowledge and application based on methods of science; outstanding service to its members and to society; social justice, diversity and inclusion; and ethical action in all that we do.
Meetings: The Committee meets annually at the AP-LS conference and also coordinates on an as-needed basis via email and phone conferences throughout the year.
Membership: The Committee consists of a Chair and at least three additional AP-LS members. The Chair and Members are appointed by the AP-LS President.
Reporting: The Committee provides a semi-annual or annual written report to the Executive Committee as requested by the AP-LS President. The Chair attends the Executive Committee meetings to discuss the report as needed.
Responsibilities: The Dissertation Awards Committee is responsible for conferring Dissertation Awards for scientific research and scholarship relevant to the promotion of the interdisciplinary study of psychology and law. Students who complete dissertations involving basic or applied research in psychology and law, including its application to public policy, are encouraged to apply for these awards.
Relation to AP-LS Vision, Mission and Values: The Dissertation Awards Committee supports the following aspects of the AP-LS Mission: the major catalyst for the stimulation and growth and dissemination of psychology-law science and practice; the premier innovator in the education and development, and training of psychology-law scientists, practitioners, and educators; The Dissertation Awards Committee also supports the AP-LS Core Values of: continual pursuit of excellence and knowledge and application based on methods of science.
Meetings: The Dissertation Awards Committee is organized by the Chair, and email correspondence between the Chair and Committee members occurs in December of each year notifying members of their dissertation submission review assignments along with time frame expectations for returning these reviews. The Chair then sends confirmation emails to the members once their reviews are received. The Chair convenes a conference call involving three pre-selected Committee members to review the top ranking dissertations and determine first, second, and third place awards. These three “finalist” Committee members then communicate the results to the Chair.
Membership: The Dissertation Awards Committee consists of the Chair and 15 AP-LS members. Each member serves for three years, and terms are staggered such that there are five first-year members, five second-year members, and five third-year members. The Chair and Members are appointed by the AP-LS President.
Reporting: The Dissertation Awards Committee provides a semi-annual or annual written report to the Executive Committee as requested by the AP-LS President. The Chair attends the Executive Committee meetings to discuss the report as needed.
Responsibilities: The 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. A t 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.
Relation to AP-LS Vision, Mission and Values: The mission of the ECP Committee is consistent with the aspect of the AP-LS Vision Statement regarding the aspiration to be t he premier innovator in the education, development, and training of psychology-law scientists, practitioners, and educators in that the Committee was formed to provide support to scientists, practitioners, and educators during a crucial period of professional identity development. The ECP Committee helps further AP-LS' Core Value of Knowledge and Application Based on Methods of Science through its Grant-in-Aid program. The ECP Committee also supports the AP-LS Core Values of: outstanding service to its members and to society; and social justice, diversity and inclusion.
Meetings: The committee meets via phone, online, or in-person as needed throughout the year to respond to ongoing issues raised by ECPs. More frequent meetings are held during the weeks around deadlines associated with the Grants-in-Aid program.
Membership : The Committee membership consists of the Chair and up to four AP-LS members. The AP-LS President appoints the Chair and members.
Reporting: The ECP committee provides a semi-annual or annual written report to the Executive Committee as requested by the AP-LS President. The Chair attends the Executive Committee meetings to discuss the report as needed.
Responsibilities: The Committee reviews all nominations for Fellows (in Division 41, APA) and Distinguished Member (in AP-LS). The Committee collects and considers such supporting materials as are necessary and recommends nominees for Fellow status in the Division or Distinguished Member in the Society.
Relation to AP-LS Vision, Mission and Values: The Committee on Fellows supports the following aspects of the AP-LS Mission: the premier innovator in the education and development, and training of psychology-law scientists, practitioners, and educators. The Fellows Committee also supports the AP-LS Core Value of continual pursuit of excellence.
Meetings: The Committee conducts virtual meetings as necessary.
Membership: The Committee consists of a Chair and two additional AP-LS members. The Chair and Members are appointed by the AP-LS President. All members of the Committee on Fellows must be Full Members of APA.
Reporting: The Committee provides a semi-annual or annual written report to the Executive Committee as requested by the AP-LS President. The Chair attends the Executive Committee meetings to discuss the report as needed.
Responsibilities: The Governance Committee continually reviews governance operations with the goal of improving effectiveness and efficiency. Governance operations include (but are not limited to): recommending the creation or dissolution of committees, recommending the scope of work by individual committees, structuring Executive Committee reports and meetings, facilitating review and updating of bylaws, and coordinating the strategic planning process.
Relation to AP-LS Vision, Mission and Values: The Governance Committee does not directly address the points in the Mission Statement but rather helps the Society as a whole fulfill its mission through efficient and effective operations and ensuring alignment of the organization structure with the Society's mission and vision. The Governance Committee also supports the AP-LS core value of outstanding service to its members and society.
Meetings: The Governance Committee meets as needed by email, telephone, and in person at conferences.
Membership: The committee shall be comprised of five members, at least three of whom shall be voting members of the Executive Committee. The Chair shall be a voting member of the Executive Committee. All members are appointed by the President. Committee member terms shall be three years and shall be reasonably staggered to ensure continuity.
Reporting: The committee provides a semi-annual or annual written report to the Executive Committee as requested by the AP-LS President.
Other: Recommendations for AP-LS Officer candidates are made by the Nominations and Awards Committee.
Responsibilities: The Student Grants-in-Aid Committee reviews proposals for small grants to support research by graduate students that addresses psycholegal issues.
Relation to AP-LS Vision, Mission and Values: The Student Grants-in-Aid Committee supports the following aspects of the AP-LS Mission: the major catalyst for the stimulation and growth and dissemination of psychology-law science and practice. The Student Grants-in-Aid Committee also supports the AP-LS Core Values of: continual pursuit of excellence; knowledge and application based on methods of science; outstanding service to its members and to society; and social justice, diversity and inclusion..
Meetings: The Student Grants-in-Aid Committee meets via phone conference twice per year to discuss the proposals and make funding decisions. Additional discussions via phone conference or online communication may occur as needed.
Membership: The Student Grants-in-Aid Committee consists of four AP-LS members including 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 under-developed areas of basic and applied research. Members serve a four-year term with each member serving as Chair during the fourth and final year of his or her term.
Reporting: After funding decisions are made within each cycle, the Student Grants-in-Aid Committee Chair sends a summary report detailing information about the funded projects and student researchers to the Treasurer for fund disbursement. This summary report is also provided to the Administrative Assistant for inclusion in the semi-annual Executive Committee report. In addition, the Chair provides a semi-annual or annual written report to the Executive Committee as requested by the AP-LS President. When possible, the Chair attends this annual meeting; otherwise, the Chair is available to discuss the report with the Executive Committee as needed.
Responsibilities: 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.
Relation to AP-LS Vision, Mission and Values: The Investment Oversight Committee does not directly address the points in the AP-LS Mission but rather helps ensure the Society's financial viability so that it can fulfill its mission. The Investment Oversight Committee also supports the AP-LS Core Values of outstanding service to its members and to society.
Meetings: The Investment Oversight Committee meets via phone conference, online, or in-person at least four times per year.
Membership: The Investment Oversight Committee consists of the AP-LS Treasurer (Chair), President, and two or three additional AP-LS members who are not current members of the Executive Committee. The Chair and Members are appointed by the AP-LS President.
Term: Each committee member will serve a three-year term with staggered rotation.
Reporting: The Investment Oversight Committee provides a semi-annual or annual written report to the Executive Committee as requested by the AP-LS President. The Chair attends the Executive Committee meetings to discuss the report as needed.
Other: The Executive Committee has decided to not impose limits on the types of investments for which AP-LS funds are eligible.
Responsibilities: The Mentorship Committee is responsible for encouraging and developing mentoring relationships in AP-LS. The Mentorship Committee works to foster mentor relationships between established members of the psychology and law community and undergraduate and graduate students, both at the annual AP-LS Conferences and year-long.
Relation to AP-LS Vision, Mission and Values: The Mentorship Committee supports the following aspect of the AP-LS Mission: premier innovator in the education and development, and training of psychology-law scientists, practitioners, and educators. The Mentorship Committee also supports the AP-LS Core Values of: continual pursuit of excellence; outstanding service to its members and to society; and social justice, diversity and inclusion.
Meetings: The Mentorship Committee meets via regular monthly teleconference calls, regular online communication, and when possible, at the AP-LS and/or APA conferences.
Membership: The Mentorship Committee consists of six members from the general AP-LS membership. The membership is selected from interested members of AP-LS and includes people with backgrounds in clinical and experimental aspects of psychology and law. Effort is made to include members from diverse areas with varied interests, such as academia, legal academics, academic medicine, private practice, correctional facilities, and trial consulting.
Reporting: The Mentorship Committee provides a semi-annual or annual written report to the Executive Committee as requested by the AP-LS President. The Chair attends the Executive Committee meetings to discuss the report as needed.
Other: The Mentorship Committee works with the Student Committee to avoid conflict in session times and to publicize Mentorship Committee events .
Responsibilities:The Minority Affairs Committee (MAC) engages in activities that facilitate its mission of 1) increasing the representation and participation of under-represented groups in the field of psychology and law and 2) promoting research related to diversity in psychology and law. Responsibilities of MAC members include awarding and administering student grant programs and outreach to students and professionals from under-represented groups, as well as developing new strategies to promote diversity within the field of psychology and law.
Relation to AP-LS Vision, Mission and Values: The Minority Affairs Committee supports the following aspects of the AP-LS Mission: the premier innovator in the education and development, and training of psychology-law scientists, practitioners, and educators; a principle leader and global partner promoting psychology-law knowledge and methods to improve justice in diverse, multicultural and international contexts; and an effective champion of the application of psychology-law to promote human rights, dignity and justice. The MAC also supports the AP-LS Core Values of: outstanding service to its members and to society; and social justice, diversity and inclusion.
Meetings: The MAC does not have a set meeting schedule. Most MAC business is conducted by email.
Membership: MAC welcomes participation from individuals who have completed their training in psychology and/or law and have a commitment to the MAC mission. We strive to have committee members who are diverse in terms of training, interests, and background characteristics. There is not a prescribed number of committee members. The Chair and Members are appointed by the AP-LS President.
Reporting: MAC provides a semi-annual or annual written report to the Executive Committee as requested by the AP-LS President. The MAC Chair or Co-Chairs attend the Executive Committee meetings when possible.
Responsibilities: 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 February 15; AP-LS conference chairs typically require names of awardees and supporting information by mid- to late January.
Relation to AP-LS Vision, Mission and Values: The Nominations and Awards Committee supports the following aspects of the AP-LS Mission: the premier innovator in the education and development, and training of psychology-law scientists, practitioners, and educators. The Nominations and Awards Committee also supports the AP-LS Core Values of: continual pursuit of excellence; outstanding service to its members and to society; and social justice, diversity and inclusion.
Meetings: The Committee meets as needed by phone and email.
Membership: The Committee is chaired by the immediate Past-President and includes the President and three non-Executive Committee members appointed by the President.
Reporting: The Nomination and Awards Committee provides a semi-annual or annual written report to the Executive Committee as requested by the AP-LS President. The Chair attends the Executive Committee meetings to discuss the report as needed.
Responsibilities: The PDW Committee is responsible for promoting the success and professional development of female scientists and practitioners in the field of legal/forensic psychology. In keeping with the APA’s Committee on Women in Psychology, the committee intends to ensure that women in all their diversity achieve equality within the psychological community and in the larger society, nationally and globally in order that all human resources be fully actualized. By identifying and addressing potential obstacles to career advancement, the committee hopes to promote better representation of women at all levels of academic and professional rank and greater recognition of women's achievement in AP-LS. To meet this objective, the PDW Committee provides support, mentorship, and training to AP-LS members through meetings at the annual AP-LS conference and via an email list overseen by members of the committee.
Relation to AP-LS vision, mission and values: The PDW supports the following aspects of the AP-LS mission: the premier innovator in the education and development, and training of psychology-law scientists, practitioners and educators; a principle leader and global partner promoting psychology-law knowledge and methods to improve justice in diverse, multicultural and international contexts; and an effective champion of the application of psychology-law to promote human rights, dignity and justice. The PDW also supports the AP-LS core values of: continual pursuit of excellence; outstanding service to its members and to society; and social justice, diversity and inclusion.
Meetings: The PDW Committee meets via phone conference, email and in person several times per year.
Membership: The PDW Committee consists of both male and female AP-LS members who represent both scientist and practitioner settings. The committee includes a chair and five members, one of whom is a representative of the AP-LS Student Committee. The chair and members are appointed by the AP-LS president.
Reporting: The PDW Committee provides a semiannual or annual written report to the Executive Committee as requested by the AP-LS president. The chair attends the Executive Committee meeting to discuss the report as needed.
Responsibilities: 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.
Relation to AP-LS Vision, Mission and Values: The Scientific Review Paper Committee supports the following aspects of the AP-LS Mission: A unifying force for psychology-law science and practice; the major catalyst for the stimulation and growth and dissemination of psychology-law science and practice; the primary resource for all psychology-law scholars and practitioners and for members of other disciplines with interest in psychology-law science and practice; the leading advocate for psychology-law knowledge and practice informing practitioners, policy makers and the public to use psychology-law knowledge in the pursuit of justice for all citizens; a principle leader and global partner promoting psychology-law knowledge and methods to improve justice in diverse, multicultural and international contexts; and an effective champion of the application of psychology-law to promote human rights, dignity and justice. The Scientific Review Paper Committee also supports the AP-LS Core Values of: continual pursuit of excellence; knowledge and application based on methods of science; outstanding service to its members and to society; and social justice, diversity and inclusion; and ethical action in all that we do.
Meetings: N/A
Membership: There is a standing Committee Chair, but the extended committee is ad hoc for any given paper and is composed of those who write the paper. The Chair and committee members are appointed by the AP-LS President.
Reporting: The Committee provides a semi-annual or annual written report to the Executive Committee as requested by the AP-LS President. The Chair attends the Executive Committee meeting to discuss the report as needed.
Other: There have been only two scientific review papers in AP-LS history, one on eyewitness identification and one on confessions. The general attitude of the Executive Committee and the current and previous Chair of the Scientific Review Paper Committee can be described as very conservative. A topic must reach a rather high point of scientific clarity and consensus among AP-LS members to justify consideration.
Responsibilities: 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.
Relation to AP-LS Vision, Mission and Values: The Social Media Committee supports the following aspects of the AP-LS Mission: the primary resource for all psychology-law scholars and practitioners and for members of other disciplines with interest in psychology-law science and practice. The Social Media Committee also supports the AP-LS Core Values of: outstanding service to its members and to society; and social justice, diversity and inclusion.
Meetings: The Social Media Committee meets via phone conference, online, or in person at least 4 times per year.
Membership: The Social Media Committee membership consists of at least four AP-LS members (one of whom will serve as Chair), and at least one student member. One of the four members will be the current AP-LS Webmaster and one of the four members will be the past Chair. The Chair and Members are appointed by the AP-LS President.
Term Length: Committee members will serve for 3-year terms. However, to assist in the initial staggering of committee members' terms, 2 initial members will serve 2-year terms.
Committee Chair: The Committee Chair will be decided by a majority vote of committee members. The Chair must be someone who has previously served on the committee. To facilitate the transition between Chairs, each Chair will remain on the committee for one year following the end of his or her term as Chair.
Reporting: The Social Media Committee provides a semi-annual or annual written report to the Executive Committee as requested by the AP-LS President. The Chair attends the Executive Committee meetings to discuss the report as needed.
Responsibilities: The committee is responsible for five initiatives
- The TTC committee presents a symposium at the annual conference on novel trends related to training, teaching, and careers in psychology and law.
- The TTC committee annually advertises, reviews, and awards two Teaching and Mentoring Awards for outstanding teaching and mentoring in the field of psychology and law (Regular and Early Career Professional).
- The committee develops, updates, and maintains to the Guide to Graduate Programs in Legal and Forensic Psychology.
- TTC members edit, review, and recruit articles for the teaching techniques Newsletter column.
- The TTC committee maintains an updated repository of syllabi for psychology and law courses as a resource for members.
Relation to AP-LS Vision, Mission and Values: The Teaching, Training, and Careers Committee contributes to advancing the AP-LS mission by creating, updating, and disseminating teaching and training resources to members. The TTC Committee work provides members with innovative and creative teaching and training materials to serve as a catalyst for professional growth. Additionally, members use these materials as primary resources for teaching, graduate school, and training. Overall, the TTC is committed to provide Division 41 members with innovative techniques that will contribute to the education and development of educators and practitioners interested in psychology and law.
Meetings: The committee meets at the AP-LS conference to discuss initiatives and to assign responsibility of each initiative to one or more committee members. The committee meets virtually (email or conference calls) about monthly to maintain progress on each initiative. The subcommittees for the Guide to Graduate Programs or the Teaching and Mentoring Award may also communicate via conference calls to discuss ratings and applications.
Membership: The TTC committee consists of the Chair, five other committee members and one student liaison. In order to maintain continuity the outgoing Chair remains on the committee for one year as Past-Chair before rotating off and serves as the Chair-Elect for one year before rotating into the Chair role. The Chair is appointed by the TTC Committee and Members and the Student Liaison are appointed by the AP-LS President. Each member serves a three-year term. Members who are appointed to the role of Chair may serve up to five years to ensure continuity with Chair-Elect and Past-Chair roles. The Student Liaison serves a two-year term.
Reporting: The Committee provides a written report to the Executive Committee part of the semi-annual meeting’s agenda. The Chair attends the Executive Committee meetings to discuss the report as needed.
Responsibilities: The Undergraduate Paper Award Committee annually reviews undergraduate submissions and awards 1st , 2nd, and 3rd place. Each submission is blind reviewed by two members based on a created rubric. Winners are notified (around August 31st ), and the Chair coordinates with the next year's conference chairs so that winners may present their results at a poster session at the ensuing AP-LS conference.
Relation to AP-LS Vision, Mission and Values: The Undergraduate Paper Award Committee supports the following aspects of the AP-LS Mission: the premier innovator in the education and development, and training of psychology-law scientists, practitioners, and educators. The Undergraduate Paper Award Committee also supports the AP-LS Core Values of: continual pursuit of excellence; knowledge and application based on methods of science; outstanding service to its members and to society; and social justice, diversity and inclusion.
Meetings: There are no scheduled meetings. All discussions are handled by e-mail unless a member would like to schedule a conference call.
Membership: The membership of the Undergraduate Paper Award Committee currently consists of a Chair and six members with attempts to have broad representation across different areas. The Chair and Members are appointed by the AP-LS President.
Reporting: The Committee provides a semi-annual or annual written report to the Executive Committee as requested by the AP-LS President. The Chair attends the Executive Committee meetings to discuss the report as needed.
Other: Due to the monetary prize associated with the award, the Chair must apply for funding every year from the Executive Committee at the August meeting.
Responsibilities: 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.
Relation to AP-LS Vision, Mission and Values: The Research Committee supports the following aspects of the AP-LS Mission: A unifying force for psychology-law science and practice; the major catalyst for the stimulation and growth and dissemination of psychology-law science and practice; the primary resource for all psychology-law scholars and practitioners and for members of other disciplines with interest in psychology-law science and practice; the leading advocate for psychology-law knowledge and practice informing practitioners, policy makers and the public to use psychology-law knowledge in the pursuit of justice for all citizens; a principle leader and global partner promoting psychology-law knowledge and methods to improve justice in diverse, multicultural and international contexts; and an effective champion of the application of psychology-law to promote human rights, dignity and justice. The Research Committee also supports the AP-LS Core Values of: continual pursuit of excellence; knowledge and application based on methods of science; outstanding service to its members and to society; and social justice, diversity and inclusion; and ethical action in all that we do.
Meetings: There are no scheduled meetings. All discussions are handled by e-mail unless a member would like to schedule a conference call.
Membership: The Research Committee consists of four AP-LS members reflecting the Society's diversity in research. The Chair and Members are appointed by the AP-LS President.
Reporting: The Committee provides a semi-annual or annual written report to the Executive Committee as requested by the AP-LS President. The Chair attends the Executive Committee meetings to discuss the report as needed.
Responsibilities: 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.
Relation to AP-LS Vision, Mission and Values: The Practice Committee supports the following aspects of the AP-LS Mission: A unifying force for psychology-law science and practice; the major catalyst for the stimulation and growth and dissemination of psychology-law science and practice; the primary resource for all psychology-law scholars and practitioners and for members of other disciplines with interest in psychology-law science and practice; the leading advocate for psychology-law knowledge and practice informing practitioners, policy makers and the public to use psychology-law knowledge in the pursuit of justice for all citizens; a principle leader and global partner promoting psychology-law knowledge and methods to improve justice in diverse, multicultural and international contexts; and an effective champion of the application of psychology-law to promote human rights, dignity and justice. The Practice Committee also supports the AP-LS Core Values of: continual pursuit of excellence; knowledge and application based on methods of science; outstanding service to its members and to society; and social justice, diversity and inclusion; and ethical action in all that we do.
Meetings: There are no scheduled meetings. All discussions are handled by e-mail unless a member would like to schedule a conference call.
Membership: The Practice Committee consists of four AP-LS members with professional practice experience. The Chair and Members are appointed by the AP-LS President.
Reporting: The Committee provides a semi-annual or annual written report to the Executive Committee as requested by the AP-LS President. The Chair attends the Executive Committee meetings to discuss the report as needed.
Responsibilities: The Legal Scholars Committee is responsible for promoting the recruitment and retention of legal scholars in the Society.
Relation to AP-LS Vision, Mission and Values: The Legal Scholars Committee supports the following aspects of the AP-LS Mission: the premier innovator in the education and development, and training of psychology-law scientists, practitioners, and educators; a principle leader and global partner promoting psychology-law knowledge and methods to improve justice in diverse, multicultural and international contexts; and an effective champion of the application of psychology-law to promote human rights, dignity and justice. The Legal Scholars Committee also supports the AP-LS Core Values of: knowledge and application based on methods of science; outstanding service to its members and to society; and social justice, diversity and inclusion.
Meetings: There are no scheduled meetings. All discussions are handled by e-mail unless a member would like to schedule a conference call.
Membership: The Legal Scholars Committee consists of a Chair and three members with background and/or experience in legal scholarship (preferably scholars with degrees in law and/or law school appointments). The Chair and Members are appointed by the AP-LS President.
Reporting: The Legal Scholars Committee provides a semi-annual or annual written report to the Executive Committee as requested by the AP-LS President. The Chair attends the Executive Committee meeting to discuss the report as needed.
Such programs include or included the Diversity in Psychology and Law Research Award, the Diversity Travel Award, the Access Path to Psychology and Law Experience program, the Ambassadors program, and dedicated conference activities.