Call for Nominations — Fellow Status in Div. 47

Fellow status in the American Psychological Association (APA) is bestowed upon individuals who have made unusual and outstanding contributions to the field of psychology. Complete Div. 47 fellow nomination packets are due to Judy Van Raalte, Fellows Committee chair, by Dec. 31.

Minimum Standards for Fellowship

  • The completion of a doctoral degree in psychology or related field from regionally accredited institution.

  • Prior membership as an APA member for at least one year and a member of the division through which the nomination is made.

  • Active engagement at the time of nomination in the advancement of psychology in any of its aspects.

  • Five years of acceptable professional experience subsequent to the granting of the doctoral degree.

  • Evidence of unusual and outstanding contribution or performance in the field of psychology.

  • Nomination by one of the divisions in which member status is held.

Requirements

  • Membership in Div. 47 for a minimum of one year.

  • Substantial contribution to the field of exercise and sport psychology.

  • Significant involvement with Div. 47 and its activities, such as attending and presenting at the annual convention or serving on division committees or the Executive Board.

Applications must be sent electronically (PDF preferred) to Fellows Committee chair by Dec. 31.

The most difficult judgment that must be made in connection with nominees for Fellows status is to determine whether or not there has been "unusual and outstanding contribution or performance in the field of psychology."

Endorsers must be as specific as possible in documenting the national impact of the nominee’s work. What criteria do you have in mind as you make your judgment? Examples of the criteria that have been found helpful to the divisions and to the APA Membership Committee are given below.

These criteria are not intended to be exhaustive.

  • The existence of relevant publications is not enough — they must report impressive work, have an impact upon others and have been refereed appropriately.

  • The impact of innovations must be documented.

  • Citation of the nominee’s work by others may be an important indicator of the impact of a contribution.

  • Conducting and organizing workshops is not an automatic criterion, but frequent workshop leadership with positive evaluations and evidence of impact over time can be good evidence of contribution.

  • Offices held in psychological associations, political and legislative activity and the like, while relevant, are rarely enough in themselves to prove contribution — endorsers must show impact beyond the local level.

  • Accumulation of impact and performance over time must be demonstrated.

  • Evidence of steady and continuing competence does not in itself meet the criterion of "outstanding and unusual."

Number of publications, grade-level of an administrative position, academic rank or the number of public addresses or committee memberships are not automatic determiners. The contribution to the science or the profession of psychology should be original and, perhaps, also a contribution to society as a whole. What is most needed is information about the Nominee’s contributions that will help the division and the APA Membership Committee, reach a fair and reasonable decision. Information offered by the endorser should explicate or expand upon information already available from other sources (e.g. a vitae), not simply repeat it. It is assumed that all evaluative statements will necessarily be positive.

Achieving fellow status is an arduous process. It requires recommendation by three endorsers who are fellows of APA. It requires a positive recommendation by the Div. 47 Fellow Review Committee and the fellows on the Executive Committee. Finally the successful nominees are forwarded to the APA Fellow Review Committee who makes recommendation to the Board of Directors with final approval coming from the Council of Representatives. See a list of current Div. 47 fellows.

If you think you have the qualifications or know someone you would like to recommend, contact the Fellows Committee chair.