SPSP Diversity Initiatives

In an effort to increase the diversity of personality and social psychology, SPSP and Social Psychology Network have collaborated on two programs to facilitate the career development of students who come from underrepresented groups (i.e., ethnic or racial minorities, first-generation college students, individuals with a physical disability, and/or lesbian, gay, bisexual, or transgendered students):

The SPSP Diversity Fund. With corporate and foundation contributions, SPSP has established a fund to enhance diversity in personality and social psychology. Under this program, qualified graduate students from underrepresented groups can apply for travel awards of up to $500 to attend the annual SPSP conference, and qualified undergraduates can apply for registration awards that cover the cost of SPSP conference registration.
The SPN Mentorship Program. In this program, students from underrepresented groups can email a faculty mentor of their choice with career-related questions or requests for assistance. More than 450 volunteer mentors are available through a mentor database searchable by keyword, research interests, school, or geographic region.

The Society is also affiliated with the GLBT Alliance in Social and Personality Psychology (GASP). GASP provides social support and professional information to lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender students and faculty and their supportive heterosexual colleagues. Membership in GASP is open to all, regardless of research interests or sexual orientation.

Through these programs SPSP strives to increase the level of diversity in personality and social psychology, thereby enriching research, teaching, and advising, and better preparing the field for a world in which globalization, multiculturalism, and diversity play a central role in human behavior.

Further Information

For further information on diversity within psychology, see: