‘I put myself forward to be part of the movement for change’

Consultant Clinical Psychologist Dr Roman Raczka has been voted in as the new BPS President-Elect. He will officially take up the position at the Society's AGM in July – serving as President-Elect for one year ahead of a two-year term as President.

In recent years, Raczka has held various leadership positions within the BPS – including as Chair of the London Branch of the Division of Clinical Psychology (DCP), DCP England Lead and is the current chair of DCP UK. He said part of the reason he wanted to put himself forward for election was after serving in these roles and becoming more involved with BPS senior management and colleagues in other divisions, sections, and branches.

'Over this time, I have seen positive change in the BPS. There has been a recognition of what needed to be changed and a real appetite for further change moving forward. I put myself forward to be a candidate for President-Elect to be part of the movement for change within the BPS. I see the role of President-Elect to be the champion and ambassador for the BPS and to represent the views of our members.'

As a psychologist, Raczka said, he had always advocated the need for equality and inclusion and valued diversity in the profession, he also emphasised the importance of allyship. 'The challenges of combating exclusion and marginalisation should not be left to those who have been marginalised. Those of us in leadership positions must become allies to support our colleagues to effect change. I see an important part of the role is to promote allyship to ensure inclusion. If a wider and more diverse range of people become psychologists, then our profession will better reflect and connect with all people in society.

'We must have a significant focus on race and culture but we must also ensure that inclusivity and diversity address other barriers, including disabilities and health as well as characteristics including socioeconomic background. It is positive that the BPS has set out its strategic vision but it is also essential that the BPS embraces the need for systemic, cultural change, including addressing institutional racism.'

In his new role, Raczka said he hoped to bring together different perspectives and to work on priority areas including equality, diversity, inclusion and antiracism and the climate and environmental emergency. 'I intend to communicate regularly with members across all media outlets including social media, to keep members informed as to what is happening as well as to listen and respond to what our members have to say. We are in very exciting times in the BPS, and I am delighted to be in such an important leadership role and champion and ambassador for the BPS and for our members.'

He said he hoped the BPS would be relevant and inclusive for psychology students – both undergraduate and postgraduate – as well as qualified psychologists so all members of the BPS see society membership as a priority throughout their professional lives. 'I have been a member of the BPS since I was an undergraduate and support the objectives of the BPS, to be the voice of psychology as a learned organisation and the professional body of psychology, championing psychology and representing all psychologists.'

He extended his thanks to those who voted in the election and putting their trust in him as the next President-Elect. 'I am delighted to accept this important role in the BPS to serve the whole psychology community. To be President-Elect is both an honour and a responsibility which I will take very seriously. I would like to extend my best wishes to my fellow candidates Alison Clarke, Natalie Lancer, and Jimmy Petruzzi. All three had some excellent ideas on work to be done by the Society and I intend to follow up on many of their important suggestions.'