International Capacity Building in Psychological Science: Reflections on Student Involvement and Endeavors

Abstract

Internationalization in psychology provides unique opportunities for students worldwide and promises to build a more inclusive, representative, and culturally sensitive discipline. Far from passive recipients of the internationalization process, students are actively involved in promoting opportunities for cross-cultural collaborations, international learning, and the creation of international networks. This paper reviews opportunities for student involvement in internationalization related efforts in psychology. Students’ roles within international and regional psychology organizations are explored to highlight the unique contributions and opportunities afforded by more independent and fully student-led organizations and initiatives. This paper discusses the barriers to establishing student-led organizations and to student involvement in international endeavors, including power imbalances, language barriers, and disparities in students’ ability to access financial resources and mentorship depending on their geographical location. Recommendations are offered, to both students and professional members, to foster student contributions to the internationalization of psychology and support the creation of sustainable student-led international organizations.

Building Hope: Psychology Day at the United Nations in 2022 Focused on Climate Action

“…For example, as of 2022, about 20 percent of monthly participants are from distant cities, and two of the six elected officers in 2021 were from other nations (Israel and Netherlands). Similar findings have been observed in other such international collaborations -specifically among psychology students from across the globe, which were also able to take place via Zoom and provide more accessible opportunities for international engagement (Balva et al, 2022).…”

The Pivotal Role of Students in International Psychology: A Past, Present, and Future Overview

“…Since 2020, the Division 52 Student Committee has grown increasingly more active -despite the COVID-19 pandemic, which has brought new challenges and opportunities to connect students from across the globe (Balva et al, 2022). Particularly, in 2020, the Division 52 Student Trio placed focus on advocacy for international students within the U.S. by means of surveying international student members about a national federal ruling at the time that had significant and detrimental implications for international students.…”

“…Although the International Psychology Students' Organization ended a few years after its inception, December 2020 saw the founding of another impactful student-led organization, the Global Student Psychology Committee, GSPC 8 (Balva et al, 2022). At the time of this article, the GSPC has student members from more than 30 different countries across Africa, Asia, Europe, Latin America, North America, and Oceania.…”

“…At the time of this article, the GSPC has student members from more than 30 different countries across Africa, Asia, Europe, Latin America, North America, and Oceania. The GSPC is dedicated to advancing the field of international psychology through the development of student networks, research collaborations, professional and academic exchanges, congress and conference participation, and resource sharing to better address barriers and gaps between countries (Balva et al, 2022). The opportunity for students to participate in student-led initiatives and within international spaces, especially during challenging global times in the COVID-19 pandemic, have been beneficial -both for personal and professional development, and for the advancement of the future of international psychology (Balva et al, 2022; see also : Atalar, 2020;Bullock, Ober, 2018).…”

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“…En tal sentido se reconoce que la actividad editorial de revistas de psicología en la región se encuentra vinculada a instituciones de educación superior, sociedades científicas y organizaciones profesionales. Pero no sólo se trata de una labor de profesionales en psicología, sino también, en muchos casos consiste en actividades editoriales promovidas por estudiantes y donde intervienen jóvenes profesionales con sus producciones (Balva et al, 2022;Barboza-Palomino et al, 2021;Gallegos, 2009;Hernández et al, 2019). La reps representa uno de esos ejemplos, ya que se inicia como parte de la actividad institucional de la APPR con el objetivo de constituirse en un canal de difusión de los conocimientos derivados de la investigación y práctica profesional en psicología, y particularmente de estudios relativos a la propia realidad psicosocial de Puerto Rico.…”