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Getting Involved

Looking for ways to get more involved with SPSSI, the Graduate Student Committee (GSC), or research related to social issues and policy? Below are some ways to get more involved. If you have any questions contact the current GSC Chair.
 

Membership
Become a student member of SPSSI for just $25. Members receive discounted conference registration, regular SPSSI emails, the ability to apply for SPSSI awards and fellowships, the ability to vote and to run in SPSSI elections, subscriptions to SPSSI journals and newsletters, and more. (International Members may be eligible for reduced-rate dues. For more information, please contact SPSSI Central Office at jbelsley@spssi.org.)


GSC Webinar Series
The GSC organizes two different webinar series, where graduate student speakers share their expertise with other student members. Through our Methodology Webinar Series, students can gain knowledge about new research and teaching methodologies. In our Policy Webinar Series, speakers share information that can help students build policy-related skills and explore future career options. Watch past webinars here. If you are interested in speaking on a future webinar, follow these links to learn more and submit an abstract for a methodology webinar or a policy webinar.


Writing Accountability Group
The GSC recently launched a writing accountability group to help student members keep track of their goals and hold one another accountable. To join the writing accountability group, contact the current GSC Academic Focus Member-at-Large.


Social Issues from Student Perspectives Newsletter
Social Issues from Student Perspectives is the graduate student section of SPSSI’s newsletter, The Forward. Writing a piece for Social Issues from Student Perspectives provides an opportunity for graduate students to disseminate their work to the larger SPSSI community and to gain experience with the publication process. We encourage submissions from all subfields of psychology and closely related fields. Submissions may take many forms, including, but not limited to: emerging research by graduate students, tips for surviving graduate school (e.g., writing, time management, applying for academic or non-academic jobs), describing policy implications of research, and commentary on current events/social issues that incorporates the student’s research and/or psychological theory in general. Browse previous issues of Social Issues from Student Perspectives and find out more about submission guidelines here. Any questions about Social Issues from Student Perspectives should be directed to spssigsc@gmail.com.


Graduate Student Committee Positions & Elections
SPSSI’s Graduate Student Committee is led by elected student representatives in seven roles: Chair, Chair-Elect, and five Members-at Large assigned to oversee particular focus areas (Diversity Focus, Communications Focus, Membership Focus, Policy & Applied Work Focus, and Academic Focus). Elections are held in the spring, with newly elected officers starting their term shortly after the SPSSI conference in June. Find out more about each position here.


Conferences
SPSSI holds regular conferences for scholars to present research relating to social issues and to network with people with similar research interests. SPSSI’s Graduate Student Committee hosts events at these conferences. GSC-sponsored events at SPSSI’s 2019 summer conference include the Diversity Preconference, Mentor Lunch, International Lunch, and Saturday evening social event. Find out more about SPSSI conferences here.


SPSSI Awards & Fellowships
SPSSI offers a variety of grants, honors, and fellowships to support student research, conference travel, dissertation work, and professional development. Find a list of the opportunities most relevant to students here.


Journal Positions
SPSSI publishes three journals: the Journal of Social Issues (JSI), Social Issues and Policy Review (SIPR), and Analyses of Social Issues and Public Policy (ASAP). Each journal may offer opportunities for students to assist with editorial responsibilities and ad hoc reviewing. To find out more, contact the editor of the specific journal that interests you. Current editors’ names and contact information can be found here.

Journal of Social Issues (JSI): Students who want to be considered for board membership (heavy editorial responsibility) or ad hoc reviewing opportunities (1-2 manuscripts) may email the journal editor. Please include information about your areas of research expertise.

Social Issues and Policy Review (SIPR): At least two graduate students serve on SIPR’s editorial board. Board members should have publication experience, preferably as a senior author. Opportunities become available as current student board members graduate.

Analyses of Social Issues and Public Policy (ASAP): Graduate students who wish to be considered for editorial board membership or ad hoc reviewing opportunities may email the journal editor. Please include information about your areas of research expertise. 
 

Policy Work
SPSSI’s Policy Program helps researchers use their work to impact policy. Their website includes an Advocacy Center to help you disseminate your work, information about policy events, and updates on what SPSSI is doing to affect policy.
 

Conference Reviewing
SPSSI students are welcome and encouraged to review submissions for SPSSI conferences and for SPSSI programming at the APA Convention. Students can review alone or ask a professor to review with them. Students who have reviewed conference submissions can list themselves as an “Ad-hoc Reviewer” for that conference on their CV. Email the current conference chairs to find out if there are currently opportunities available.

Volunteer with SPSSI
The Graduate Student Committee officers work throughout the year on projects, newsletters, and events. Volunteers are welcome to help us with a variety of tasks and initiatives. Email the current GSC Chair if you are interested in volunteering. 

Membership Minute
SPSSI members and non-members utilize our the Membership Minute to share relevant resources.  To submit to the Membership Minute, send an email to spssi@spssi.org with a subject of "Membership Minute Submission." 

Sound Science, Sound Policy Blog
Contemplating a career as a science writer? SPSSI’s blog, Sound Science, Sound Policy, offers budding writers a great opportunity to develop a portfolio while working with a professional editor. It also offers more senior psychologists a chance to disseminate their research to a broader audience. If you are interested in writing for the blog, or even just contributing a post, please contact Sarah Mancoll.

Getting Others Involved
Do you think other students you know may be interested in SPSSI? Direct them to our website, Facebook page, or LinkedIn group. You can also share this great introductory video—“What is SPSSI?”—or post this flyer in your department or lab.