Board Candidates Slate 2 – Answers

1. What role, if any, is there for psychology outside of the U.S. in the activities and mission of APA?

Debra M. Kawahara, PhD – Slate 2

The only way to make psychology a comprehensive human science is to incorporate the understanding and knowledge bases of human development and treatment approaches from other places in the world and to illuminate the work of psychologists abroad to make it more encompassing of its theories, research methods, teaching, and practices. Otherwise, the science and practice of psychology in the U.S. is “incomplete” and partial if it focuses only on a North American perspective or U.S. citizens. APA can play an important role in developing a more systemic plan in highlighting well-established psychological knowledge bases and practices outside of the U.S. such as from South America and Western Europe and foster collaborations with psychologists abroad in science, practice, policy, and activism. Additionally, greater participation in the areas of human rights research, practices, and human rights protection through partnerships outside the U.S. would result in the production of knowledge and interventions that would be of greater impact in the wider global perspective.

Nancy M. Sidun, PsyD, ABPP, ATR – Slate 2

There are multiple roles for APA outside of the U.S.:

• As our world has become more interconnected, issues that were once bound by geographic location are now global challenges. This is an unbelievably rich time to embrace the knowledge, skills, models, and strategies of psychology outside the U.S. to learn new approaches and collaborate on novel solutions. We need to share the power of the science of psychology across the globe.
• With the heightened use of virtual platforms, the opportunity to participate in conferences and learning exchanges anywhere in the world is now viable. Not only can APA psychologists attend and present in different parts of the world, but psychologists from outside the U.S. can be active participants and presenters in U.S.- based events.
• Many global organizations (WHO, UN, UNICEF) are working on issues that could benefit from APA members serving in advisory and consultant roles.

2. What projects and plans are in your campaign platform to further the globalization of psychology, particularly in relation to the governance, structure, and policies of APA, and its Directorates and Divisions?

Debra M. Kawahara, PhD – Slate 2

In February 2021, the APA adopted a human rights framework that incorporates social justice and the public interest within a broader, international framework. While clear recommendations were given by the APA Task Force on Human Rights, one of the next steps would be to work on providing clear guidelines and structures for organizational decision-making, including accountability, particularly in relation to APA governance, structure, and policies. My plan would be to assemble a working group to establish guidelines and structure for an organizational decision-making process on human rights protection for APA with the goal of gathering contributions and knowledge bases from other parts of the world and then writing a draft of the guidelines and structure.  Members of the working group could be volunteers or nominees from APA members or affiliates, with particular interest in including those with human rights expertise that are living outside the U.S. regardless of U.S. citizenship.

Nancy M. Sidun, PsyD, ABPP, ATR – Slate 2

As Chair of the Committee of International Relations, I advocated for an international focus in APA’s proposed strategic plan. Therefore, I am pleased APA’s 2019 Strategic Plan’s guiding principles include:

• Embracing a global perspective.
• Advocating for diversity and inclusion.
• Respecting and promoting human rights.

Recent events, such as the COVID-19 pandemic, the global movement for racial justice, political unrest, and increased hate crimes create an unparalleled time to promote a global stance within APA. As an international psychologist, I would bring that perspective to the Board and champion an Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI) lens in advancing APA’s strategic priorities. In addition, all APA directorates would benefit from having global perspectives. I would support directorate global goals such as: sharing and learning from non-U.S.-based research; advancing practice innovations created for diverse cultures and global clinical and workplace challenges; fostering efforts to internationalize the psychology curriculum and addressing public interest concerns with a global scope.

3. What are your thoughts about supporting the establishment of a new elected APA Board position for an APA Member or APA Affiliate living outside of North America and not a U.S. citizen?

Debra M. Kawahara, PhD – Slate 2

Current representation and participation in APA governance does not reflect the diversity in APA membership, particularly those from outside North America. This should be a top priority for APA to align with its strategic plan. Psychologists who are APA members/affiliates living outside of North America may believe that their voices are excluded, ignored, or dismissed from important APA policies and processes so an official governance position becomes an important visible action. I would be a strong advocate for establishing an APA Board position for an APA member/affiliate who lives outside of North America with knowledge of North American ethos, regardless of their U.S. citizenship status. I have the experience to change bylaws as I was one of the movers to obtain an APA council seat for the ethnic minority psychological associations and would use my position and knowledge to work toward gaining a board position for an APA member/affiliate living outside North America.

Nancy M. Sidun, PsyD, ABPP, ATR – Slate 2

Not only am I in full support of it, I believe it’s vital. A non-U.S. psychologist’s perspective enriches the dialogue, and the span and depth of knowledge of any working group. From my personal experiences of being a part of the executive committee of International Council of Psychologists, composed of members from around the world (e.g., Japan, Netherlands, Brazil, India, Pakistan, Spain, Austria, Canada, Australia) I can say firsthand that the breath of discussions and perspectives are invaluable. I embrace and am committed to inclusion, and we need to include psychologists from outside the U.S. The centrality of diversity, equity, and inclusion in my leadership style is demonstrated in my role in APA Council as the representative for the highly diverse state of Hawaii and my presidency of Division 52, International Psychology.