Convention Committee – The first ever virtual SPSP convention has concluded, though online access to materials remains available through May 13. Over 3700 people registered for convention, and more than 2900 registered for at least one of the 28 preconferences offered this year. Although the convention committee is planning for a return to an in-person convention in San Francisco in 2022, we’re considering what online elements we may be able to retain to enhance the experience for attendees and to better include members who don’t attend in person. The committee is also discussing updates to the submission portal and review process to continue our efforts to make the program more inclusive and transparent.

Diversity & Climate Committee – During the convention, DCC members planned and executed the undergraduate mentoring event, the SPUR program’s kickoff meeting, two DCC listening lounges, the DCC reception, the diversity award winner admired scholars meetup, and then we welcomed two new members to our committee (Professors Aneeta Rattan and Jessica Remedios). In the listening sessions we heard from members about ways to make SPSP more just and equitable and in 2021 our work will focus on how we can shift the DCC’s work to meet these emerging challenges. We would also like to thank our two outgoing chairs, Professors Kristin Pauker and Daryl Wout, for their leadership as well as their tireless devotion to diversity, equity, and inclusion at SPSP.

Fundraising and Development Committee – We are pleased to report that donations of over $100,000 were received in 2020, which far exceeded our initial goal. Our members generosity, along with their concern for one another and SPSP during this difficult time, is demonstrated by the funds received. The increase was in large part due to funds raised by friends and family members of the late Jenessa Shapiro. We sincerely thank each and every donor for continuing to support the field. One of the major fundraising activities of the committee is to solicit and organize nominations for the SPSP Heritage Wall of Fame. Fundraising is currently underway for a few nominees. Julie Norem and Rick Robins rotated off the committee; we thank them for their efforts and accomplishments on behalf of the Society. We welcome two new members, Jen Pals Lilgendahl and Eranda Jayawickreme.

Professional Development Committee – We had a very successful virtual SPSP convention, with 19 PD sessions and 4 workshops. At the convention, we welcomed two new members to the PD committee: Jeni L. Burnette (North Carolina State University) and Yuthika Girme (Simon Fraser University). We are already starting to plan for the 2022 convention, and are looking over the feedback we received from this past year.  We are also continuing to plan for more professional development opportunities (focusing on online content) outside of the convention. Stay tuned!

Primarily Undergraduate Institutions Committee – The PUI Committee was formed in Fall 2020. The Committee held well-attended virtual events at the SPSP 2021 Convention on balancing teaching and scholarship, networking and resource-sharing, and applying for jobs at PUIs. Immediate goals for the PUI Committee include identifying and curating research and teaching resources especially relevant to PUI members, developing collaborations between PUI members and with members at research institutions, and developing mentorship models for current graduate students interested in pursuing a career at primarily undergraduate institutions.

Student Committee – The Student Committee (SC) recently published a technical report on strategies and insights about the non-academic job market and hosted a Friday Free-Form session on March 19th to discuss the report with SPSP members. We have also been facilitating Spring 2021 Student Writing Groups since mid-January. In addition, we are currently working on our usual programs for the 2022 SPSP convention. Our abstract check service will be available soon this summer to all students.