Psychological Science in the Public Interest: Call for Editor Nominations

Deadline: June 1, 2014 (nominations have been closed)

The Association for Psychological Science (APS) invites nominations for Editor of Psychological Science in the Public Interest (PSPI). Now in its 15th year of publication, this highly respected journal features three commissioned reports per year on topics of national interest by panels of the field’s most distinguished researchers. Elaine F. Walker, Emory University, is the current Editor.

PSPI reports provide definitive, state-of-the-science summaries — juried analyses — on subjects in which psychological science both plays a central role and has something important to say. The reports serve as resources for psychologists and for audiences outside our discipline. The contents of PSPI are routinely reported in the media and often are used by policy makers. Recent topics have included dissemination of evidence-based treatments of PTSD, promotion of cooperation to achieve public good, and use of effective techniques to improve student learning — an issue that was downloaded more than 100,000 times in less than a year. Further information about PSPI, including past issues and an editorial statement of purpose, is available on the APS website here. Another early description of the journal can be found here.

All reports are commissioned by the Editor; PSPI does not accept unsolicited manuscripts, but proposals for papers are considered by the Editor. Manuscripts are commissioned by the Editor only after careful vetting of both the topic and authors. Topics are nominated from many sources, including editorial board members, APS Board of Directors, and members of APS. All members of APS are invited to nominate topics.

The new Editor will lead and manage the journal’s unique editorial process. While the incoming Editor will want to draw on past editorial experience, this position involves additional hands-on organizational and administrative skills not generally required for traditional journals.

Selection Criteria: Nominees must be APS Members. Criteria to be considered in selecting the Editor will include:

• Comprehensive knowledge of and broad perspective on the field
• Professional accomplishment and identity within psychological science
• Ability to recruit and work with teams of authors
• Demonstrated success in evaluating and synthesizing psychological science research
• Commitment to the “giving away” of psychological science
• Commitment to devoting time to editorial duties

Starting Date: The Editor should be prepared to begin work in fall 2014. The length of the term is four years.

Nominations: Please provide a name and contact information for each nominee by June 1, 2014. Additional material may be sent, including curricula vitae and brief statements of interest or support, but at this point in the process, a name and contact information are sufficient. Self- nominations are encouraged, as are nominations of members of underrepresented groups in psychology.

Send nominations and inquiries to:

APS Editor Search Committee, editorsearch@psychologicalscience.org

Chair: Henry L. Roediger, III, Washington University in St. Louis

Stephen J. Ceci, Cornell University

Susan T. Fiske, Princeton University

Morton Ann Gernsbacher, University of Wisconsin-Madison

Ann Kring, University of California, Berkeley

Jelte Wicherts, University of Amsterdam

John T. Wixted, University of California, San Diego

Ex Officio:

Alan Kraut, APS Executive Director

Aime Ballard-Wood, APS Director of Publications