SIOP Launching New Advocacy Academy
SIOP is proud to launch the inaugural cohort of the SIOP Advocacy Academy, a year-long training program for I-O psychology researchers, practitioners, and students interested in engaging in SIOP advocacy. Cohort members will participate in a series of virtual trainings on science policy, the legislative and budget processes, advocacy and engagement with Congress, and more. To provide hands-on experience, the Advocacy Academy will culminate in cohort members scheduling and conducting meetings with Congressional offices to advocate for SIOP priorities, including research funding, student support, workforce development, and inclusion of I-O in policymaking broadly. The time commitment required will be no more than one to two hours per month, with opportunities for additional involvement for those interested. Advocacy Academy graduates will be invited to continue participating in SIOP advocacy and act as mentors and ambassadors for the program to future generations of I-O psychologists. If you’re interested, please sign up at https://0-www-siop-org.library.alliant.edu/About-SIOP/Advocacy/Government-Relations.
Representative Kilmer Participates in Annual Conference Session
On April 30, Representative Derek Kilmer (D-WA) participated in a panel at SIOP’s annual conference focused on I-O’s role in improving the congressional workplace. The Congressman chairs the House Select Committee on the Modernization of Congress and represents a congressional district near Seattle. The Select Committee aims to make Congress work more effectively for the American people and has previously considered several topics related to I-O psychology, including recruiting and retaining talent, leadership development, and ways to increase civility and collaboration. Dr. Steven Rogelberg, past President of SIOP, moderated the panel. The session included SIOP members Dr. Lilia Cortina, Dr. Jeff McHenry, and Dr. Scott Tannenbaum and focused on the work of the select committee and the way I-O research can inform its work. Congressman Kilmer’s participation on the panel is the culmination of over a year of engagement between SIOP and the Select Committee. SIOP plans to continue to engage with Chairman Kilmer, his Vice Chair William Timmons (R-SC), and the professional staff of the Select Committee as they continue to work on issues relevant to I-O psychology.
SIOP and Lewis-Burke Host Advocacy Session at Annual Conference
Lewis-Burke joined outgoing GREAT Chair Alex Alonso and outgoing External Relations Chair Lorin Mueller at the annual conference to present a session on SIOP’s government relations efforts and how I-O psychologists can get involved in advocacy. Lewis-Burke provided an overview on the federal landscape and SIOP’s advocacy principles, followed by best practices from Drs. Alsonso and Mueller on how I-Os can translate their research or practice experience to external audiences. During the session, attendees had the opportunity to ask questions about SIOP’s ongoing advocacy initiatives and provide input on topic areas, such as employee upskilling and workplace protections against body size discrimination, where I-O psychology research and practice could contribute to evidence-based policymaking.
NSF SBE Holds Spring Advisory Committee Meeting
This month, the National Science Foundation’s (NSF) Social, Behavioral and Economic Sciences Directorate (SBE) held their spring advisory committee meeting. The directorate is between leaders right now, as they expect to announce the replacement for former Assistant Director Skip Lupia in the coming weeks. The meeting provided updates on major programs at SBE like Build and Broaden and Strengthening American Infrastructure. The directorate is also considering their role in the new Technology, Innovation, and Partnership Directorate (TIP), which expects to promote use-inspired research to address societal challenges across NSF topic areas. To this end, SBE is in the process of hiring a senior advisor for partnerships and innovation.
The meeting included some discussions of potential emerging areas of interest, including a report from the Advisory Committee for Environmental Research and Education (AC-ERE) on “engaged research,” which involves public engagement and co-production in societal research. This concept has found an ear in the Biden Administration, as Acting Office of Science and Technology Policy Director Alondra Nelson recently presented on a similar topic at an event at the National Academies. Also of note to researchers, SBE is interested in restructuring its divisions and programs within the directorate. There is a general acknowledgement that the landscape of programs is confusing with recent name changes leading to a mix of discipline-specific and interdisciplinary thematic programs. Any changes are not likely to happen until after the next advisory committee meeting in the fall.
Publication Type
Washington InfO
Topic
Government Relations