James S. Jackson and the program for research on Black Americans: Contributions to psychology and the social sciences.

Abstract

James S. Jackson (1944Jackson ( -2020 is remembered as a groundbreaking social psychologist whose career contributions in scholarship, research, and service were fundamental to the field of psychology. This article briefly outlines his career-long work and contributions. A strong believer in interdisciplinary work, his research spanned other related social science disciplines (e.g., sociology, political science), as well as health and social welfare professions (public health, social work, medicine). As the founding director of the Program for Research on Black Americans at the Institute for Social Research, James Jackson initiated and led a long-standing program with a dual focus on research and training and mentoring doctoral students, postdoctoral scholars, and early career scientists. Jackson's efforts in the development of several nationally representative surveys of the Black population in the United States (e.g., National Survey of Black Americans, National Survey of American Life) revolutionized research focusing on the lives of Black Americans. James Jackson's international influence and reputation included numerous prestigious positions within national science organizations and honors and awards for his scientific contributions. Among James S. Jackson's most enduring legacies is the vast network of current scientists, researchers, and academics who were trained under his direction and leadership. Public Significance StatementJames S. Jackson made many contributions to the discipline of psychology as founder and director of the Program for Research on Black Americans. He developed a body of empirical knowledge on the lives of Black Americans that furthered our understanding of stress and coping processes and the impacts of racism and discrimination on the health and well-being of Black Americans. He mentored many early career scholars that continue this work.

Reclaiming the past and transforming our future: Introduction to the special issue on foundational contributions of Black scholars in psychology.

“…Chatters et al (2023) review the foundational contributions of Dr. James Jackson to psychology and the social sciences. As the founder and director of the Program for Research on Black Americans, Jackson was the principal investigator of major national surveys of Black Americans that resulted in nationally representative data sets on the mental and physical health and social well-being of the United States Black population.…”

“…Helms' research adopts an antiracist lens and has implications for research and practice. As a renaissance woman, Adames and colleagues also describe Helms' (a) womanist identity research including her intersectional framework describing the identity development of woman of color and her (b) research on racial bias in cognitive ability tests and measurement Chatters et al (2023). review the foundational contributions of Dr. James Jackson to psychology and the social sciences.…”