‘I will always seek to nurture a culture of inclusion’

The BPS has appointed Dr Adam Jowett as Chair of its new Equality, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) Board. The board's function will be to hold BPS governance structures to account to ensure EDI principles are embedded within the society's strategic objectives and activities.

Jowett (Coventry University) is chair of the BPS Sexualities Section and an Associate Fellow of the BPS – his research focuses on LGBT+ issues including health, homophobia and conversion therapy. The EDI board will take an intersectional approach and 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).

He said he was excited to be taking on this position and looked forward to working with BPS 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.'

BPS Director of Knowledge and Insight Dr Debra Malpass said she was looking forward to working with Jowett and benefitting from his wealth of experience and knowledge in 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.'

The deadline for applications for EDI Board members is Wednesday 31 August.
More information.