Committees
The Society is managed by a professional office staff, but the vision and goals of the organization are directed by its Board of Directors, various committees, and task forces.
View the 2024 Organizational Chart
For more information on each committee, see below. More detailed information about each committee may be found in the Committee Charters document.
To view current committee members, please see our full breakdown of SPSP committees.
Advocacy Advisory Board Role: To execute on requests from the Government Relations Committee, which will oversee the Advocacy Advisory Board. For example, the Government Relations Committee could request that the Advisory Board develop a one-pager with new research findings relevant to our priority areas. The Government Relations Committee will review these priority areas on a yearly basis and make adjustments if needed.
Note: This is a new group that will report to the SPSP Government Relations Committee. If you have any questions, please contact Stephen Waldron at [email protected].
Review our 2022 Advocacy Priority areas for more details.
Expectations:
- Members of the Advocacy Advisory Board will serve a two-year term
- Members will work with the SPSP Communications and Public Relations Manager to create a state of the research 1-2 page document, which is written for policymakers/the public
- Advocacy Advisory Board members will share research findings with the Communications and Public Relations Manager, who will draft a 1-2 page document for their review
- Members should be available to support the Government Relations Committee and Board of Directors on an as-needed basis, fulfilling requests for research findings and content on current events related to the SPSP priority areas
- Members should be well-versed in research relevant to SPSP’s priority areas (e.g. behavioral research related to misinformation, climate change, etc.)
- Members are not required to be policy experts, rather they can support the Government Relations Committee by collecting evidence that supports SPSP’s advocacy priority areas
Purpose
The Applied Committee's purpose is to (1) make clear the value of applied work in the field and (2) ensure that SPSP is inclusive of individuals doing applied work. The committee will work on any number of activities, such as: showcasing applied work at the annual convention; educating current members about careers that involve the application of social and personality psychology; generating ideas for fostering collaboration between those doing basic and applied work.
Structure
The committee consists of seven members. Serving on the committee is a two-year term. Three new members join every year. The Member at Large (MAL) for Application serves as the Chair.
- Application MAL: Chair (1)
- 2nd-Year Members (3)
- 1st-Year Members (3)
Eligibility
Committee members should work in an applied setting. Maintaining representation in career stage, geographic location, place of employment (e.g. size of organization, non-academic settings), age, gender, sexual orientation, race, ethnicity, and other diverse factors is an important factor in committee composition. Committee members must maintain their SPSP membership throughout their tenure on the committee.
Time Commitment
1 hour meetings per month.
Purpose
The SPSP Awards Committee appoints, oversees, and works closely with the Award Nomination Panels, who nominate and select SPSP award recipients using various processes, criteria, and the spirit of the award. The Awards Committee also works to continuously improve and expand SPSP's awards program. Finally, the Awards Committee selects the annual "Service to the Field" and the “Service to SPSP” awards. Members are tasked with identifying individuals to serve on the Award Panels, overseeing the panels and sanctioning the selections, and identifying ways to improve and expand the awards program. Members of the committee are also asked to review nominations and select the recipients of the two Service awards.
Structure
The committee consists of three members. Serving on the committee is a three-year term. One member joins every year, serving as Chair in their third year and Past-chair in their fourth year. Past-chairs serve in an advisory role and are not officially part of the committee.
- 3rd-Year Member: Chair (1)
- 2nd-Year Member (1)
- 1st-Year Member (1)
Eligibility
Committee members must have their PhDs and be well-networked within the Society to support staffing the Awards Panels each year. Maintaining representation in academic discipline, career stage, geographic location, place of employment (e.g. size of institution, non-academic settings), age, gender, sexual orientation, race, ethnicity, and other diverse factors is an important factor in committee composition. Committee members must maintain their SPSP membership throughout their tenure on the committee. 7-12 years post-PhD.
Time Commitment
10-12 hours per year, meeting when needed. Peak time April- September.
Purpose
The Convention Committee organizes numerous aspects of SPSP's annual convention and pre-conferences. In addition to oversight of the whole convention, specific responsibilities include featured programming (e.g., out of the lab, inside the grant panel) and the Constellation program.
Structure
The committee consists of 10 members. Serving on the committee is a two or three-year term depending on the position. Four new members (as well as one student member) join every year. Past chairs serve in an advisory role and are not officially part of the committee.
Volunteers on the Convention Committee fall into one of the following categories:
- Three-year committee members: These individuals make up the core of the committee and serve for three years. Each year, a different task is assigned to the individual.
- Two-year committee members: These individuals serve on the committee for two years. Each year, a different task is assigned to the individual.
- Science Program Committee: Two members are assigned to this task for two years each.
Category Task
- 3-Year Members
- Chair – Year 3
- Constellation Honor – Year 2
- Awards Address – Year 1
- 2-Year Members
- Out of the Lab and Professional Development Submissions – Year 2
- Inside the Grant Panel and Professional Development Submissions – Year 1
- Science Program Review Panel
- Symposia – Year 2
- Single Presenter – Year 1
Eligibility
Committee members should have a broad and inclusive perspective on SPSP, its membership, and past SPSP conventions; availability throughout most of the calendar year but particularly over the summer and in the months leading up to the convention; ability and willingness to work with other committee members to troubleshoot convention-related issues and challenges; ideas about what makes the convention most successful and what might be improved from year to year, including from other society conventions. Maintaining representation in career stage, geographic location, place of employment (e.g. size of organization, non-academic settings), age, gender, sexual orientation, race, ethnicity, and other diverse factors is an important factor in committee composition. Committee members must maintain their SPSP membership throughout their tenure on the committee.
Time Commitment
- Three-year committee members: approximately 25 hours over the course of the year. Approximately 3-4 (~ 1 hour) planning meetings throughout the year.
- Two-year committee members: approximately 20 hours over the course of the year. Approximately 3-4 (~ 1 hour) planning meetings throughout the year.
- Science Program Review Panel members: approximately 20 hours during the decision, session, and scheduling process (heaviest workload is between August and October); an additional ~5 hours throughout the year. Approximately 2-3 (~ 1 hour) planning meetings throughout the year.
- All committee members should attend the Annual Convention and the committee meeting at the Convention on Saturday morning.
Purpose
In an effort to increase the diversity of personality and social psychology, the Diversity and Climate Committee (1) monitors diversity in the organization, (2) supports activities designed to increase the participation of underrepresented members at every level, and (3) provides resources and opportunities to increase a sense of community for underrepresented groups in SPSP.
Underrepresented minorities (URM) examples: ethnic or racial minority students; first-generation college students; lesbian, gay, or bisexual students; transgender students; and/or students with a physical disability.
Structure
The committee consists of six members who are selected annually by the committee from a list of applicants. Serving on the committee is a three-year term. Two new members join every year, serving as co-chairs in their third year and past chairs in their fourth year. Past chairs serve in an advisory role and are not officially part of the committee.
- 3rd-year Members: Co-Chair (2)
- 2nd-Year Members (2)
- 1st-Year Members (2)
Eligibility
Committee members should have some experience in coordinating diversity efforts in either academic or non-academic settings. Preference is given to members who are in advanced stages of their career (i.e., not junior). Maintaining representation in academic discipline, career stage, geographic location, place of employment (e.g. size of institution, non-academic settings), age, gender, sexual orientation, race, ethnicity, and other diverse factors is an important factor in committee composition. Committee members must maintain their SPSP membership throughout their tenure on the committee. 7-12 years post-PhD.
Time Commitment
1 hour meetings monthly, 2-5 hours for volunteers for reviews, sharing feedback with SPSP.
Purpose
The APA Council of Representatives is a large, diverse legislative body that has sole authority to set policy and appropriate APA's annual income. It is composed of elected members from state/provincial/territorial psychological associations, APA divisions, and the APA Board of Directors. Division 8 currently has two representatives who represent our members on matters advancing psychology as a science, as a profession, and as a means of promoting health, education, and human welfare. The Division 8 representatives help establish and approve APA policies and uphold “fiduciary duty” to APA, which includes the duty of care and the duty of loyalty.
Structure
- Three-year term.
- Currently, Division 8 has two representatives.
- The individual in the senior position serves on the SPSP board of directors.
Eligibility
Must be a Division 8 APA member and an SPSP member to serve in this role. Nominations & Elections Committee will submit at least two names to APA. These individuals will be voted on through the APA elections process.
Time Commitment
Approximately 5 hours per month, peak time 2 weeks prior and during council meeting (twice a year)
Purpose
The Early Career Committee was formed in 2019 to help address the needs of SPSP's early career members. The committee hopes to ensure that relevant resources, networking opportunities, and programming are available to early career members and that their interests are represented across SPSP.
Structure
The committee consists of six members. Serving on the committee is a three-year term. Two new members join every year, serving as co-chairs in their third year and past-chairs in their fourth year. Past chairs serve in an advisory role and are not officially part of the committee.
- 3rd-Year Members: Co-Chair (2)
- 2nd-Year Members (2)
- 1st-Year Members (2)
Eligibility
Maintaining representation in academic discipline, geographic location, place of employment (e.g. size of institution, non-academic settings), gender, sexual orientation, race, ethnicity, and other diverse factors is an important factor in committee composition. Committee members must maintain their SPSP membership throughout their tenure on the committee. 1-6 years post-PhD.
Time Commitment
10-15 hours throughout the year (total)
Purpose
The Purpose of the committee is to review SPSP and APA Division 8 fellowship applications and provide recommendations for fellowship to the board for consideration.
Structure
The committee consists of six members. Serving on the committee is a three-year term. Two members join every year, serving as co-chairs in their third year and past-chairs in their fourth year. Past-chairs serve in an advisory role and are not officially part of the committee.
- 3rd-Year Members: Co-Chair (2)
- 2nd-Year Members (2)
- 1st-Year Members (2)
Eligibility
Committee members must have their PhDs and be fellows of SPSP. Maintaining representation in academic discipline, career stage, geographic location, place of employment (e.g. size of institution, non-academic settings), age, gender, sexual orientation, race, ethnicity, and other diverse factors is an important factor in committee composition. Committee members must maintain their SPSP membership throughout their tenure on the committee. Preferably 12+ years
Time Commitment
Approximately 5-10 hours per year, meeting as needed
Structure
The Fundraising and Development Committee consists of seven members, including two co-chairs along with four other members, each of whom serves a three-year term. Two new members join every year, serving as co-chairs in their third year. The SPSP Treasurer is the liaison of the committee to the Board of Directors, but is not an official member of the committee.
- Co-Chair (2)
- 2nd-Year Members (2)
- 1st-Year Members (2)
Eligibility
Development committee members are selected based on their willingness to support in the field, professional and personal connections, diversity or international status, and fundraising knowledge. Maintaining representation in academic discipline, career stage, geographic location, place of employment (e.g. size of institution, non-academic settings), age, gender, sexual orientation, race, ethnicity, and other diverse factors is an important factor in committee composition. Committee members must maintain their SPSP membership throughout their tenure on the committee.
Time Commitment
(3) 1-hour meetings a year and 6 hours of additional work throughout the year.
Purpose
The Government Relations Committee provides advice and support to the SPSP staff and Board of Directors on advocacy for social and personality psychology. The Committee contributes to the specification of strategies, priorities, and mechanisms that can best permit SPSP to promote the field by engaging members to support the goals of the committee. The primary focus of the Committee's attention is to advocate for implementing evidence-based best practices that can change behaviors related to SPSP's advocacy priority areas.
Structure
The committee consists of six members. Serving on the committee is a three-year term. Two new members join every year, serving as co-chairs in their third year and past-chairs in their fourth year. Past chairs serve in an advisory role and are not officially part of the committee.
- 3rd-year Members: Co-Chair (2)
- 2nd-Year Members (2)
- 1st-Year Members (2)
Eligibility
Committee members should have an interest in policy and government relations. Maintaining representation in academic discipline, career stage, geographic location, place of employment (e.g. size of institution, non-academic settings), age, gender, sexual orientation, race, ethnicity, and other diverse factors is an important factor in committee composition. Committee members must maintain their SPSP membership throughout their tenure on the committee.
Time Commitment
Approximately 1 hour per month
Purpose
The Purpose of this review panel is to provide reviews for the Small Conference and Small Research grant programs.
Structure
The panel consists of 7-9 members serving on the panel for a two-year term. The panel members must have a PhD but otherwise no specific requirements are needed. Panel members are selected based on their expressed interest during SPSP's annual call for volunteers.
Eligibility
Maintaining representation in academic discipline, career stage, geographic location, place of employment (e.g. size of institution, non-academic settings), age, gender, sexual orientation, race, ethnicity, and other diverse factors is an important factor in panel composition. Panel members must maintain their SPSP membership throughout their tenure on the panel.
Time Commitment
Approximately 5-10 hours per year
Purpose
The SPSP International Committee seeks to make SPSP and the field of social and personality psychology more culturally and geographically diverse, both in terms of researchers and the populations they study. The committee works to continuously diversify SPSP's conferences, publications, programs, awards, membership, and website to better represent the global community.
Structure
The committee consists of six members. Serving on the committee is a three-year term. Two new members join every year, serving as co-chairs in their third year and past-chairs in their fourth year. Past chairs serve in an advisory role and are not officially part of the committee.
- 3rd-year Members: Co-Chair (2)
- 2nd-Year Members (2)
- 1st-Year Members (2)
Eligibility
Committee members should have completed their PhD or equivalent, in a field relevant to the committee's work. Maintaining representation in academic discipline, career stage, geographic location, place of employment (e.g. size of institution, non-academic settings), age, gender, sexual orientation, race, ethnicity, and other diverse factors is an important factor in committee composition. Committee members must maintain their SPSP membership throughout their tenure on the committee.
Time Commitment
2 hour meetings monthly, 3-5 hours for reviews, projects
Purpose
The Nominations and Elections Committee Purpose is to increase transparency and facilitate the nominations process for the Board of Directors and Committees. The committee is charged with ensuring the nominations reflect the goals and values of the organization and developing a strong leadership pipeline.
Structure
The committee consists of eight members. Serving on the committee is a one or two-year term. The term officially begins on January 1.
Terms Position
- 1-Year Chair – Past President
- 1-Year DCC – Past Diversity & Climate Committee Chair
- 2-Years Social Psychology
- 2-Years Personality Psychology
- 2-Years Early Career (up to 6 years post-PhD)
- 2-Years International
- 2-Years Undesignated (Primarily Undergraduate Institution)
- 2-Years Undesignated (Applied)
- 1-Year President (ex-officio)
Eligibility
Committee members must have a PhD to serve on this committee. Maintaining representation in academic discipline, career stage, geographic location, place of employment (e.g. size of institution, non-academic settings), age, gender, sexual orientation, race, ethnicity, and other diverse factors is an important factor in committee composition. Committee members must maintain their SPSP membership throughout their tenure on the committee.
Time Commitment
Pre-term work (approximately 2 hours) will be required to prepare for the election call for nominations which launches in November.
The Primarily Undergraduate Institutions (PUI) Committee is charged with enhancing the profile of members at PUIs, identifying roadblocks unique to PUI members, and increasing support for PUI members.
Structure
The committee consists of seven members. Serving on the committee is a two-year term. Three new members join every year. The Member at Large (MAL) for PUI serves as the Chair.
- PUI MAL: Chair (1)
- 2nd-Year Members (3)
- 1st-Year Members (3)
Committee members should have experience teaching and working at PUIs. Evidence of prior service work, especially regarding PUI issues, is a plus. Maintaining representation in academic discipline, career stage, geographic location, age, gender, sexual orientation, race, ethnicity, and other diverse factors is an important factor in committee composition.
Eligibility
Committee members must maintain their SPSP membership throughout their tenure on the committee.
Time Commitment
1 hour meetings monthly, 2-5 hours for volunteers for reviews, sharing feedback with SPSP.
Purpose
The Purpose of the SPSP Professional Development Committee is to improve psychological science by supporting students, faculty, and professionals. We provide workshops, webinars, and professional development sessions. Training opportunities focus on innovative research methods, data analytic tools, and best research practices. Development sessions provide resources that support advancement along career paths and trajectories within and outside of academia.
Structure
The committee consists of six members (as well as a student committee member). Serving on the committee is a three-year term. Two new members join every year, serving as co-chairs in their third year and past-chairs in their fourth year. Past chairs serve in an advisory role and are not officially part of the committee.
- 3rd-Year Members: Co-Chair (2)
- 2nd-Year Members (2)
- 1st-Year Members (2)
Eligibility
Committee members should have a terminal degree in a field relevant to social and/or personality psychology and be actively involved in research, teaching, or practice related to social and/or personality psychology. Maintaining representation in academic discipline, career stage, geographic location, place of employment (e.g. size of institution, non-academic settings), age, gender, sexual orientation, race, ethnicity, and other diverse factors is an important factor in committee composition. Committee members must maintain their SPSP membership throughout their tenure on the committee.
Time Commitment
20 hours of work throughout the year.
Purpose
The Promoting Inclusive Excellence in Publications Committee works to maintain and improve the inclusive excellence of SPSP journals and discuss new initiatives of knowledge dissemination.
Structure
The committee consists of eight members. Serving on the committee involves a two or three-year term. Two new three-year members join every year, serving as co-chairs in their third year and past-chair in their fourth year. The student and early career members join as needed. Past-chairs serve in an advisory role and are not officially part of the committee.
Terms Position (positions are numbered for clarity)
- 3rd Year Members
- Position 1: Co-Chair* Editor Search/Pub Award Guide and participate in the publication award process
- Position 2: Co-Chair** Improving Practices Guide
- 2nd Year Members
- Position 3: Editor Search Committee Lead* and assist with round 1 review for publication award
- Position 4: Improving Practices – Policy and Resource Development Lead**
- 1st Year Members
- Position 5: Student Publication Award Lead*
- Position 6: Improving Practices – Demographic Review Lead**
- 2 Year Term
- Position 7: Student – support ACEMAP**
- Position 8: Early Career – support ACEMAP, participate in the publication award process**
- 3-Year Member SPPS Consortium Liaison (ex-officio)
- 4-Year Member PSPB Editor (ex-officio)
- 4-Year Member PSPR Editor (ex-officio)
Eligibility
* Committee member roles identified with an asterisk should have experience in the publication process (e.g., editor, associate editor). Preference is given to members who are in advanced stages for their career (e.g., not early career scholars).
** Committee member roles identified with a double asterisk should have experience with promoting inclusive research practices that counteract a system of advantage/disadvantage that prioritizes the experience of White, affluent, straight, cis men from a small subset of countries (e.g., United States, Canada, Western Europe, Australia, New Zealand) while increasingly deprioritizing and harming those further from that included center. Members at any stage of their careers are welcome to serve in these roles.
Maintaining representation in academic discipline, career stage, geographic location, place of employment (e.g. size of institution, nonacademic settings), age, gender identity, sexual orientation, race, ethnicity, and other diverse factors is an important factor in committee composition. Committee members must maintain their SPSP membership throughout their tenure on the committee.
Time Commitment
1 hour per quarter as needed to make decisions about awards, editor positions, and policy changes. Anticipate approximately 4 hours of work in between meetings.
Additional time requirements are outlined as follows:
- Position 3 & 5: round 1 review for student publication award (estimate 20 hours in March/April)
- Position 1 & 8: round 2 review for student publication award (estimate 10 hours in May)
Purpose
The Student Committee works to promote the interests of SPSP's student members. This includes producing helpful student content, organizing events for student members at the annual convention, and much more.
Structure
Positions: Learn more about the role of each Student Committee member—within the Student Committee and in other SPSP committees.
The Vice-Chair will be selected through the SPSP society-wide elections. For this year only, due to changes to the overall elections timeline, the Vice-Chair position will be voted on during a special election to be held February 15, 2024 – March 7, 2024. The Student Committee will review submitted applications and present two names to the Nominations & Elections committee for approval to be included on the elections slate. This position is voted on to ensure compliance with the bylaws as the Student Committee Past Chair serves as a voting member of the Board of Directors.
- Chair of the Student Committee (3-year term)
- Year 1 - Vice-Chair (Student Awards)
- Year 2 - Chair (Oversee Student Committee Activities)
- Year 3 - Past Chair (Board of Directors Member)
- Co-Editor of Student Newsletter (2-year term)
- Two Student Co-Editors – A new student joins the position every year.
- 5 Members-at-Large (1-year term)
- 1 Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Representative
- 1 Social Media and Abstract Check Representative
- 1 Peer Advising Program Representative
- 1 Mentoring Lunches Program Representative
- 1 Professional Development and Writing Groups Representative
Eligibility
Committee members should have one year of graduate school experience. Maintaining representation in academic discipline, career stage, geographic location, place of employment (e.g. size of institution, non-academic settings), age, gender, sexual orientation, race, ethnicity, and other diverse factors is an important factor in committee composition. Committee members must maintain their SPSP membership throughout their tenure on the committee.
Time Commitment
5 hours per month with a general peak time of September – February.
Purpose
SPSP offers bi-annually (in odd-numbered years) a two-week, intensive summer experience for up to 100 pre-doctoral students in social and personality psychology. The SISPP committee works to select SISPP locations, candidates, faculty, and curates courses and workshops.
Structure
The committee consists of six members. Serving on the committee is a three-year term. Two new members join every year, serving as co-chairs in their third year and past-chairs in their fourth year. Past chairs serve in an advisory role and are not officially part of the committee.
- 3rd-year Members: Co-Chair (2) Oversee instructor selection (even-numbered years); Oversee application review (odd-numbered years)
- 2nd-Year Members (2)
- 1st-Year Members (2)
Eligibility
Committee members should have tenure because of the time involved, but it is not required. Committee members should have experience with SISPP (attended SISPP as a student, previous faculty member, students who have attended). Maintaining representation in academic discipline, career stage, geographic location, place of employment (e.g. size of institution, non-academic settings), age, gender, sexual orientation, race, ethnicity, and other diverse factors is an important factor in committee composition. Committee members must maintain their SPSP membership throughout their tenure on the committee.
Time Commitment
The committee meets regularly (e.g., twice per month) during times when selection processes are happening.
Purpose
The United Nations (UN) Committee’s purpose is to represent SPSP and the personality and social psychology field to the UN through the Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC)’s consultative status engagement mechanisms. Committee members will engage with the NGO community at the United Nations by identifying issues, organizing programs and providing input on statements to bring personality and social psychology perspectives on global policies and programs. This partnership allows personality and social psychology to inform policy makers and other NGOs and contribute to policy making on the global stage.
Structure
The committee consists of 6 members. Each committee member serves for a three-year term. Two new members join every year. In your second or third year of service, you will be the Co-Chair of the committee. One member of the committee will be designated as a DEI representative (more information below). The committee will also have a designated SPSP staff liaison to help facilitate its work.
- Fourth Year: (2) Past Chairs (serve in an advisory role and can participate in the Interest Group, though no formal committee responsibilities)
- Third Year: (2) Co-Chairs
- Second Year: (2) Members
- First Year: (2) Members
Committee members should be interested in sharing psychological science with broader audiences. Previous knowledge of or experience with the UN is welcomed but not required. Due to much of the United Nations programs occurring in-person at United Nation offices, it is preferred that committee members be located in or close to New York, Nairobi, Geneva, or Vienna (though we welcome all interested SPSP members to apply). Committee members should be diverse, consisting of people at every stage of their career with a wide array of research foci that fit with the UN’s agenda (https://sdgs.un.org/goals). Maintaining representation in career stage, geographic location, place of employment (e.g. size of organization, non-academic settings), age, gender, sexual orientation, race, ethnicity and other diversity factors is an important factor in committee composition. Committee members must maintain their SPSP membership throughout their tenure on the committee. This is a non-paid volunteer position, and you must be able to pay your expenses to attend United Nations events. Active committee members (i.e., committee members during their first three years of
committee service) will receive complimentary registration to the SPSP Annual Convention.
Time Commitment
1 meeting per month + 3-5 hours of additional work between meetings.