Wednesday, August 27, 2008

INFO: APA Ad Hoc Committee on Psychology and AIDS Call for Nominations

Ad Hoc Committee on Psychology and AIDS

Call for Nominations

The American Psychological Association (APA) Ad Hoc Committee on Psychology and AIDS (COPA) is seeking nominations for three new members whose term will begin on January 1, 2009 and end on December 31, 2011. The mission of COPA, an ad hoc committee that reports to the Board for the Advancement of Psychology in the Public Interest (BAPPI), is to guide the development and implementation of APA’s organizational responses to the HIV/AIDS epidemic.

COPA members are required to attend two, face-to-face meetings per year in Washington, DC, with expenses reimbursed by APA, and to participate in monthly conference calls. Between meetings, members are expected to devote a substantial portion of time to COPA projects, provide consultation to APA Office on AIDS staff, and participate in advocacy activities as needed. Each of the face-to-face meetings begins on a Friday morning at 8:30am and ends on Sunday morning at noon. On average, in addition to the time associated with the one-hour monthly conference calls and the time associated with the two face-to-face meetings each year, members spend approximately two to four hours per month on COPA business.

Candidates should have demonstrated expertise in dealing with HIV/AIDS issues as a researcher, practitioner, educator, and/or policy advocate. COPA seeks to involve a diverse group of psychologists, including persons of color and individuals who are living with HIV. COPA is particularly interested in candidates with expertise in the following areas: (1) HIV prevention and care for ethnic minority women and adolescent girls; (2) mentoring behavioral scientists with interest in developing HIV/AIDS-related research careers focusing on ethnic minority communities; (3) international HIV/AIDS issues; (4) issues associated with substance abuse and HIV/AIDS; and/or (5) public policy pertaining to HIV/AIDS prevention and care.

Nomination materials should include a summary of the nominee's qualifications, a letter from the nominee indicating a willingness to serve on COPA, and a curriculum vita. Self-nominations are encouraged. Materials should be sent by mail or email to Jonathan Lamptey, Office on AIDS, 750 First Street, NE, Washington, DC 20002-4242 (Phone: 202-336-6042; Email: jlamptey@apa.org). All materials must by received by no later than September 15, 2008.