INTERNATIONAL TASK FORCE
Globalization is a profound force shaping all aspects of our life, currently and into the foreseeable future. Accordingly, many scholars have argued that professional organizations such as SPSP need to develop a coherent, global perspective and international policies and programs compatible with that perspective in order to be inclusive as a discipline, and to derive theories and models that are sensitive to cultural variation and as broadly applicable as possible. At the present time, however, the field is US-centric and overly reliant on a narrow, highly homogeneous database (e.g., Henrich, Heine, & Norenzayan, 2010). In addition, SPSP lacks a dedicated governance structure and little formal programming to address international issues within the field or to promote an international focus within the society. CHARGE OF THE TASK FORCEAccordingly, the SPSP Board voted at its most recent meeting to establish a task force to address these and related issues. The International Task Force is charged with identifying opportunities to improve and enhance SPSP’s international focus and ties. The task force will identify the long-term goals (e.g., to strengthen ties with international psychological organizations, to support collaborations by SPSP members with international scholars, to bring more international scholars into the organization, to train international scholars, build research capacity in less developed countries, etc.) of any such effort and recommend strategies, approaches and specific activities aimed at achieving those goals. The task force will explicitly consider potential gains associated with increasing international focus in light of costs to the society in terms of time, money, and foregone opportunities. The committee is likewise charged with identifying challenges that can bedevil international collaborative efforts and ways to surmount these challenges. The task force will pursue all reasonable strategies that it believes would be helpful for elucidating the issues and possibilities, including such things as surveying other organizations to learn about their efforts and experiences (e.g., Div 9/SPPSI, International Consortium of Developmental Societies, APA International Affairs Office); surveying the SPSP membership regarding their views and suggestions; interviewing or surveying individuals who have successfully collaborated on international projects, etc. The Task Force will also consider whether additions or changes should be made to the current governance structure to ensure adequate ongoing attention to these issues. EXPECTED OUTCOMES AND TIMELINEThe Task Force will draft a report covering prioritized opportunities and corresponding recommendations, as well as suggested implementation timelines. The report will be reviewed and considered by the Board of Directors at its August 2018 meeting. TASK FORCE MEMBERSHIPThe Task Force will consist of a diverse group of society members at all career levels who have expertise and experience relevant to the international focus of this task force. Six members and two co-chairs will work with SPSP Staff to address the mission. An initial face-to-face meeting will take place in conjunction with the 2018 convention in Atlanta, and a 1-day follow-up meeting will be scheduled to allow the committee to complete its work prior to the Aug 2018 board meeting. TO APPLYAn application can be found here. Applications must be submitted by midnight on Sept 30, 2017. INQUIRIESInquiries can be sent to Chad Rummel, Executive Director SPSP, at [email protected], or to Lynne Cooper, President-Elect SPSP, at [email protected]. REFERENCESHenrich, J., Heine, S., & Norenzayan, A. (2010). The weirdest people in the world? Behavioral and Brain Sciences, 1 -75. doi:10.1017/S0140525X0999152X |
