BPS announces chair of new Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Board
The BPS is pleased to announce Dr Adam Jowett as the chair of the new BPS Equality, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) Board.
23 June 2022
The Board will be empowered to hold BPS governance structures to account to ensure the principles of equity, equality, diversity and inclusion are embedded in the society's strategic objectives and all of its activities.
Taking an intersectional approach, the Board will champion EDI delivery and challenge bias and discrimination. Dr Jowett will represent the board as a Trustee of the society and offer leadership to a range of new advisory groups of the main board including human rights and inclusive psychology.
Dr Adam Jowett is an Associate Fellow of the BPS, current chair of the BPS' Sexualities Section and is on the editorial board of Psychology & Sexuality. His research interests focus largely on LGBT+ issues. He has published on topics such as LGBT health, homophobia and conversion therapy
Responding to the announcement the BPS' Director of Knowledge and Insight, Debra Malpass, said:
"I look forward to working with Adam and benefitting from his wealth of experience and knowledge relating to EDI.
The Board and the Diversity and Inclusion Team will work in collaboration with volunteers and member networks to deliver the BPS' commitments to equality, diversity and inclusion.
"The Board's work will build on the foundations laid by the Diversity and Inclusion Taskforce to ensure EDI is a golden thread embedded throughout the BPS' policies and activities.
This will enable the society, the profession and the wider discipline of psychology to allow everyone to flourish and feel they belong."
Dr Adam Jowett added:
"I'm excited to be taking on this position and look forward to working with members, staff and trustees to drive positive change.
There has been a lot of good EDI work within and across the Society over the years and the establishment of an EDI Board represents a shift to a more ongoing engagement with these issues.
"I will always seek to nurture a culture of inclusion where everyone feels they belong and that their unique contribution is valued.
To realise the society's ambitions, I'll need input from across the membership and the support of a diverse team, so please consider applying to join the Board."
Full board recruitment will start on the 7 July 2022, and we urge all those interested to visit the jobs page from this date for details on how to apply.