Dr. Francine Conway, Dean of Rutgers University’s GSAPP, prepares the next generation of socially responsive psychologists to lead social change

Newswise — On Monday, January 20^th, Dr. Francine Conway, Dean and Distinguished Professor for Rutgers University, Graduate School of Applied and Professional Psychology (GSAPP) and President of the National Council of Schools and Programs of Professional Psychology (NCSPP) will host psychology professionals from across the country at the NCSPP Mid-Winter Conference. Together the organization’s distinguished slate of executive committee, program planning committee members and past-presidents organized the five-day conference entitled, Amplification 2020 - Amplifying Excellence in Professional Psychology; Augmenting Social Change and Social Responsiveness in Curriculum, Clinical Training and Program Development will focus on the delivery of effective psychological services that respond to individual and societal needs.

Dean Conway is excited about the training conference and plans to continually amplify excellence in the professional practice of psychology. Conway, as newly elected President in 2019, stated, “I feel personally charged to lead NCSPP in promoting social responsiveness and responsibility in training psychologists, the implementation and dissemination of applied research and psychological service.” The conference will explore the role of these programs as they usher in the next generation of psychologists to effectively lead social change. Slated to begin on the National Day of Service, celebrating the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, the conference will examine how assessment, intervention and other skills can influence psychologists’ responses to those in need.

Attendees will be asked to consider methods for evaluation and ethical responsibility and delve into specified competency domains regarding research, interpersonal relationships and professionalism. Featuring renowned keynote speakers, Stephan Bradly, Ph.D. and Rahul Sharma, Psy.D.; the meeting will include interactive workgroup sessions and panels, poster sessions, and networking for attendees. Topics during workgroup sessions include the importance of racial and ethnic diversity and the impact of social justice on individual research and professional contributions.

Overall, Amplification 2020 will provide an opportunity for equitable discourse on augmenting curriculum, clinical training and program development. Additionally, the conference will provide an overview of technological advancements, resources and provide a platform for discussing the fiscal responsibility of educating future practitioners.

Founded in 1976, by Rutgers-GSAPP’s first dean, Dr. Donald Peterson, NCSPP is an organization composed of delegates from the programs and schools of professional psychology. NCSPP’s goal is to advance the development of the highest quality of graduate training in professional psychology.  For more information, visit https://www.ncspp.net/.

Dean Francine Conway is a leading expert in the field of Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) and author of the book Cultivating Compassion: A psychodynamic understanding of ADHD.  She is an accomplished scholar, university professor and clinical psychologist recognized for her work in aging and child psychopathology who has served as Rutgers’ GSAPP Dean since 2016. 

Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, is a leading national research university and the state of New Jersey’s preeminent, comprehensive public institution of higher education.  Established in 1766, the university is the eighth oldest higher education institution in the United States.  More than 79,000 students and 23,500 full-and part-time faculty and staff learn, work, and serve the public at Rutgers locations across New Jersey and around the world.