Dr Deborah Husbands, Chartered Psychologist and Reader in Race and Sociocultural Psychology at the University of Westminster, was recently appointed Chair of The Psychologist and Digest Editorial Advisory Committee.
Emerged in 1988, The Psychologist is the flagship magazine of the British Psychological Society (BPS) and serves as a platform for discussion, insight and communication within the field of Psychology, aimed at both industry professionals and the general public. It provides a space for Psychologists to tell personal, practical and persuasive stories of their lives and work.
Since being appointed on 11 July, Dr Husbands will help shape the direction of the content of the publication. She will be working with a dedicated team, including The Psychologist's Editor and Head of Science Communication, Dr Jon Sutton, to ensure the publication continues to stimulate interest in the importance of Psychology for readers from diverse backgrounds.
Dr Husbands is widely respected for her expertise in race, identity and inclusive education. At Westminster, she is known for her leadership in equality, diversity and inclusion (EDI) initiatives, co-chairing the University's EDI Committee and her research amplifying underrepresented voices in Psychology.
Dr Husbands said: “As a Psychology undergraduate, I used to read The Psychologist with relish. The contents were hugely informative and likely contributed to the award of a first-class honours degree, as they helped me to remain current in the discipline. Years later, I became a member of The Psychologist and Digest Editorial Advisory Committee and gained useful experience in shaping content that contributed to growing a significant online presence featuring a range of psychological topics. I would never have dreamt that I would now be chairing the Committee, and the first African Caribbean woman to do so! I look forward to my tenure as Chair and bring my experience as Co-Chair of both the University's EDI Committee and the Black and Minority Ethnic (BME) Colleague Network to this role.”
Professor Dibyesh Anand, Deputy Vice-Chancellor of Global Engagement and Employability and the Co-Chair of EDI Committee, added: “The academic imperative of decolonising and diversifying disciplines is urgent as our societies and knowledge production remain marked by inequities. It is delightful news that Dr Deborah Husbands will now chair the prestigious Editorial Advisory Committee of The Psychologist, the flagship monthly magazine of the BPS. We are confident this will help the discipline of Psychology benefit from her leadership and continue to be more pluralist.”
Dr Jon Sutton, Head of Science Communication and Editor of The Psychologist for the BPS, said: “The team are thrilled to have Deborah back on the Advisory Committee, particularly as Chair. She has all the professional and personal qualities we need to guide the committee and the publication through ever-changing times. We’re always looking to improve, evolve and provide a genuinely inclusive space for psychologists to be psychologists and I think Deborah shares this drive.”
Dr Husbands’ work directly contributes to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) 4: Quality Education, 10: Reduced Inequalities and 16: Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions. Since 2019, the University of Westminster has used the SDGs holistically to frame strategic decisions to help students and colleagues fulfil their potential and contribute to a more sustainable, equitable and healthier society.
Learn more about Psychology courses at the University of Westminster.
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