Hello,
I'm very pleased to let you know that we have a new position on the PsyPAG
committee - Community Psychology Section Representative.
As you may know, the BPS Community Psychology Section has only recently
been created so this is an exciting opportunity to work with the Section
as it develops.
I've included some information about the new section below, and attached
some information about what is involved in being a PsyPAG rep and our
co-option procedures.
If you'd like to apply, or have any questions please contact me at:
[log in to unmask]
Please remember that we also have a vacancy for the position of: London
and Home Counties Branch Representative
Best wishes,
Alana
PsyPAG Vice Chair
Community Psychology Section webpage: http://www.bps.org.uk/cps/cps_home.cfm
>
> The establishment of the Community Psychology Section is testament to the
> dedication and tenacity of a group including Annie Mitchell, Jim Orford,
> Janet Bostock, David Fryer and Jacqui Akhurst, and was supported by a
> large number of Society members. There is a growing interest in community
> psychology in the UK and the need for a section to represent an area of
> the discipline currently unrepresented in the Society's structures was
> crucial. Psychologists who identify with community psychology come from a
> variety of other branches of psychology, and the field also links well
> with other disciplines. Members of the committee believe that the
> existence of a section would help to promote teaching and training,
> research and practice in the area of community psychology. Furthermore,
> the section has the potential to be active on behalf of the Society in
> relevant areas of national life.
>
> The values at the heart of community psychology include those of
> inclusivity, social justice and improvement of health and well-being.
> These cut across existing subdisciplines and member networks of the
> Society and encourage collaboration and partnership between different
> disciplines. The Section aims to provide a focus for researchers and
> practitioners interested in basing their work on these, through
> non-individual intervention.
>
> The ethos of community psychology has never been more important than now,
> when it feels as if the world is in an economic maelstrom, and rushed
> economically based decisions will have far-reaching impacts on the most
> vulnerable and socially excluded members of society. The Section,
> therefore, would like to engage in producing and gathering evidence,
> communicating the impact on psychosocial functioning of and developing
> community-based interventions to address such issues as: poverty;
> inequality; gendered violence; the construction of disability; insecure
> employment and unemployment; substance misuse and challenges to people's
> mental health. The Community Psychology Section will raise questions
> about how we might create a society based on greater egalitarianism,
> non-exploitation and respect for the environment in order to foster
> solidarity and interdependence.
>
> An interim committee has been established for the first year of the
> Section. The membership of the interim committee demonstrates that the
> values of community psychology resonate with many researchers and
> practitioners in the field, from a variety of backgrounds and interests.
> Already, in a short space of time, membership stands at over 150 and
> continues to grow.
>
|