Hello from the Early Career Scholars (ECS) Committee! We are a group of SPSSI members who share a common interest in promoting the professional development and networking opportunities of early career psychologists, including those who are within the first ten years or so of earning their graduate degrees. Among multiple tasks, the ECS committee provides different means by which a network of experienced scholars and practitioners can provide early career SPSSI members with knowledge and guidance on how to best navigate their careers in academia, practice, and policy work.

Our committee always welcomes new volunteers – especially right now! If you are looking for ways to serve SPSSI and connect with new colleagues, we would be happy to talk with you about becoming a part of the committee. We find it a rewarding way to serve our peers and contribute to SPSSI, and we welcome you to join us. Please be in touch (aespinosa@ccny.cuny.edu and/or fisher@hws.edu) if you are interested in learning more.

Among other tasks, the ECS committee reviews nominations for the Michelle Alexander Award, which recognizes early career SPSSI members who have excelled in scholarship and service. We wish to congratulate the 2021 Michelle Alexander Award winner, Tiffany Brannon from UCLA! Dr. Brannon rose to the top for her research on social identities, and how stigmatized identities can serve as sources of psychological strength for individuals and groups. The committee reviewed nominations from many excellent scholars, and would like to commend all of our nominees for their valuable and necessary work.

This year, we are excited about a return to an in-person conference, even as we hope to learn from the lessons that last year’s virtual conference provided. The past few years have been challenging, yet we can decide to see them as an opportunity to think creatively about accessibility and connections across distances.

SPSSI continues to be an essential organization for psychologists who value social justice, and ECS will continue to help psychologists build diverse careers that focus on the SPSSI mission. We’ve been grateful for the opportunity to lead the committee this year, and we’re looking forward to a productive year to come.