Call for Manuscript Proposals: Special Issue on Intergroup Allyship

Current Directions in Psychological Science

Editor: Dr. Sylvia Perry

Intergroup allyship–referring to actions taken to support, advocate for, or stand in solidarity with members of marginalized groups by individuals who hold relative advantage along one or more dimensions of identity–has become an increasingly visible and pressing area of inquiry as societies grapple with persistent social inequality and group-based disparities. This Current Directions special issue will showcase innovative directions in psychological science that examine the psychological antecedents, mechanisms, and outcomes of allyship across group lines. We aim to feature scholarship that advances conceptual clarity, explores the social and structural conditions under which allyship is most effective, and identifies ways to foster sustained, meaningful support for marginalized groups.

The goal of this special issue is to highlight cutting-edge theoretical contributions and concise syntheses of previously published empirical work that deepen our understanding of how allyship develops, how it is expressed, and how it is received in intergroup contexts. As intergroup allyship continues to shape public discourse and social movements, psychological science has a critical role to play in clarifying the motivations, challenges, and potential of ally behavior to advance equity and justice. We are particularly interested in work that integrates insights across domains (e.g., social psychology, developmental psychology, political psychology) and that offers guidance for real-world practice, policy, and pedagogical use in the classroom.

We invite proposals that address the following themes, among others:

• The psychological processes that motivate allyship and sustain it over time
• Interpersonal and structural factors that shape effective and ineffective ally behavior
• How allyship is perceived by members of marginalized groups and its effects on intergroup outcomes
• Barriers to allyship, including identity threat, fragility, and performative behavior
• Developmental origins and socialization of ally behavior across the lifespan
• Interventions and contextual supports that promote authentic and accountable allyship
• Cross-cultural, intersectional, or comparative perspectives on allyship
• Methodological innovations in studying intergroup support and solidarity

Manuscript proposals will be reviewed on a rolling basis and should adhere to the Current Directions submission guidelines for unsolicited proposals. Proposals may be uploaded at https://mc.manuscriptcentral.com/cdps with a cover letter indicating that they are intended for this issue. The deadline for submission is August 1, 2025.

Please email Becca White at [email protected] if you have questions during the submission process.