2013 Bulletin

Increasing the Visibility of Neuropsychology J. Michael Williams, Ph.D. Drexel University As scientists with clinical and/or teaching responsibilities, it is easy to get caught up in busy schedules with little thought to the mechanisms in place to support the field. The National Academy of Neuropsychology (NAN) has had a long history with an advocacy organization in Washington, DC, that is dedicated to advancing neuropsychology and related fields. The Federation of Associations in Behavioral and Brain Sciences (FABBS) is a coalition of twenty-two scientific societies (www. fabbs.org/membership/), including APA, that share an interest in advancing the sciences of mind, brain, and behavior. NAN has been an active member of this coalition for over two decades. FABBS is among the chorus of voices advocating for neuropsychology, and we have benefited from this association in many ways. NAN���s interests are conveyed to FABBS through a Council of Representatives, comprised of scientists from each society. I have served as NAN���s representative to FABBS���s Council since 1990. Joe Fishburne, a past-President of NAN, was the FABBS representative prior to me. In addition, there is now a liaison from the FABBS board to NAN, Bruce Overmier, so NAN will have regular input to FABBS leadership. In a nutshell, FABBS: ��� Conducts advocacy on Capitol Hill to make sure that there is funding for the sciences of mind, brain, and behavior at federal science agencies. This involves visits with staff on relevant budget, appropriations, and science committees and collaborations with other science organizations in DC. ��� Meets with federal science agency staff at NIH, NSF, DoD, and elsewhere to make sure that there are opportunities for our scientists in the PA's, RFA's, and other initiatives that are developed. ��� Identifies, where possible, specific opportunities for involving scientists from our member societies in outreach efforts. This year, FABBS was asked by Senator Inhofe's office for the names of scientists who could address questions about mild TBI, and the NAN leadership submitted a number of names through FABBS. ��� Tracks science policy issues (e.g., human research protections), notifies member societies, and responds with input from our sciences. ��� Raises awareness about our sciences as STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) science, including inclusion of our sciences in science curriculum at all educational levels. ��� Highlights compelling research conducted by member society scientists through various media, new and traditional. FABBS���s sister organization, the FABBS Foundation, recently hired a science journalist whose primary responsibility is to increase the visibility of the research conducted by scientists in the societies under FABBS���s umbrella. As NAN���s representative to FABBS, I have participated in the organization���s annual meeting of its Council. Every meeting I have attended has presented advocacy relevant to neuropsychology research. I recall being able to meet with many prominent people in government, such as the director of NIMH, directors of research centers in traumatic brain injury, and others in areas clearly relevant to neuropsychology. At these meetings, I also meet and discuss neuropsychology research with some of the most prominent psychologists in cognitive psychology, neuroscience, and experimental psychology. NAN���s presence within FABBS increases the national visibility of neuropsychology, provides an opportunity to connect with likeminded scientific societies, and provides support for advocacy activities that help advance our field. For more information, go to: www.fabbs.org/ Sign up for newsletters and advocacy alerts: www.fabbs.org/news/ sign-up/ J. Michael Williams, Ph.D. is currently on the faculty of Drexel University. His interests include neuropsychological assessment and malingering detection, clinical applications of fMRI and developing computer-mediated tests and apps for rehabilitation and cognitive assessment. 24 | Bulletin vol. 27 no. 1

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