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2022 Psi Chi Macmillan Diversity Article Award Recipients Psi Chi Awards and Grants
Read Dr. Almond’s Psi Chi Journal article:
“Angry, Frustrated, and Silent: Women’s Responses to Microaggressions Within the Discipline That Coined Microaggressions” Our research addresses the gender gap within psychology: a field with a preponderance of women, yet more than half of professors, advisors, and supervisors are White and male. In academic and workplace settings, we found early career women silent, angry, and frustrated with the intersectional microaggressions they encountered. Doctoral advisors made comments about race, gender, pregnancy, and religion. A boss tried to “out” their queer employee, and a male supervisor told his student he would “inject her with empowerment.” We uncovered the strategies employed as well as the emotions involved, which can inform and improve academic and workplace settings. For example, making space to express valid feelings of mistrust and anger. These data are impetus for dramatic changes to organizational practices, like hiring. People in positions of power need to reflect and support, not insult, and demean, the changing composition of psychologists. Organizational taskforces have asked that psychologists turn their scholarship inward to address and assess our disciplinary norms and practices for decades. In their 2021 public apology, APA resolved to prioritize workforce development and enhance the visibility of psychologists from diverse backgrounds. We thank the Psi Chi Journal of Psychological Research for their timely recognition of our research article. Dr. Amanda L. Almond is an associate professor of psychology at the City University of New York–New York City College of Technology. Her research focuses on microaggression, women, and racial minorities. She utilizes feminist research methods to study racial and gender microaggressions as well as patient–provider interactions. In the classroom, Dr. Almond uses pedagogies aimed at retaining women and racial minorities in pursuit of STEM degrees (e.g., interdisciplinary teaching and place-based learning). Her professional goals are to engage people in dismantling systems that demean and promote environments where health can flourish.
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EVERY YEAR, Psi Chi recognizes two individuals for publishing the best diversity-related article in Eye on Psi Chi magazine and Psi Chi Journal of Psychological Research. Congratulations to the latest recipients, each of whom received $600 to recognize them for publishing well-written, competent, relevant, original, and impactful articles! We sincerely thank Macmillan Learning for sponsoring this award. Below, the two recipients explain why writing their articles was important to them. Take a moment to reflect on their dedication to creating equality and helping people honor and celebrate their identities.
Read Dr. Mbilishaka’s Eye on Psi Chi article:
“PsychoHairapy: Brushing Up on the History and Psychology of Black Hair” My moral compass and cultural responsibility centers my attention on issues of diversity in psychology. As an undergraduate studying psychology at an Ivy League school, I never had the opportunity to take a psychology class taught by a Black psychologist. However, I was able to conduct literature searches and read their articles. I cited research articles written by Black psychologists about race and culture to ground my self-understanding and relate to topics that confronted the people with whom I was the closest. I know that my research and writing can reach students who need to know more about our culture too. Writing about the topic of Black mental health in hair care spaces has given me an opportunity to offer creative solutions to mental health access, balance the voices in psychology, expand who has access to training in psychology, and connect me more deeply to the community that I serve. Dr. Afiya Mbilishaka is a clinical psychologist, hairstylist, and hair historian who uses hair as an entry point into mental health care. She is an alumna of the University of Pennsylvania and Howard University. Dr. Mbilishaka is the founder of PsychoHairapy LLC and Ma'at Psychological Services.
Are you wondering how you can step up to create a more socially just world? Learn about Psi Chi Diversity Article Awards and consider submitting your own diversity-related articles this year. Submissions are open year-round! For other strategies to support diversity issues, visit our Diversity Matters online resource.
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