APS Calls for Bipartisan Support for Psychological Science
Scientific research and education in the United States has long enjoyed bipartisan support. Recent administrative actions, however, have seriously disrupted and damaged the U.S. scientific enterprise.
In response, on February 7, 2025, the Association for Psychological Science began sharing the following statement with federal lawmakers in Congress. The statement encourages lawmakers to sustain the bipartisan investment in scientific research.
APS continues to advocate for psychological science on multiple fronts and will share further updates with you as they happen.
Sincerely,
Invest in the Future: Psychological Science
Executive Orders and policy directives issued in the early weeks of the Trump Administration have disrupted scientific research and education and threaten to catastrophically set back the United States’ scientific progress.
The Association for Psychological Science urges lawmakers to recognize the value of science and scientists in the United States. Since the days of Benjamin Franklin, American science has triumphed because of its open collaboration with government agencies in sharing data, funding, and research methods.
We are concerned by efforts to delete data from government websites and to censor research and theory. Similarly, scientific advancement will be seriously disrupted by mass layoffs of federal scientists and program managers. The disruption and termination of research grants and contracts is devastating to the next generation of students and early career researchers.
A thriving, well-funded scientific effort is the foundation for the future and for the economic well-being of the United States. Advances in science drive the success of the United States in comparison to nations that do not systematically invest in science.
Psychological science plays a pivotal role in helping to develop applications in artificial intelligence, brain science, mental health, and national security. Investigator-initiated research is the backbone of scientific innovation and drives the development of new jobs, tools, markets, and solutions to important societal problems.
This is no time to reject science or sideline the promising research of students, faculty, and others engaged in studies around the country. We urge you to continue to support America’s scientific research and education.
Comments
I have been a member of APS for many years. I appreciate this initial letter to federal lawmakers; however, I believe it would be more effective if it were strategic in its language and more explicit about what it means to “continue to support scientific research and education”. What is our specific ask/request/demand (e.g., are we asking them to not freeze funds already committed to research, direct NIH/NSF to do a certain thing other than that?) Can we provide specific examples of how their approach (regardless of whether or not we agree about their anti-DEI position) threatens psychological science given that our field requires consideration of social and cultural aspects of functioning? Are there landmark studies we could describe that had major implications for our country but that would not have occurred had funding been cut for any project that mentioned “female” or “diversity”? Are there ways in which their approach threatens the well-being of everyone, including those traditionally not targeted by DEI initiatives (people who are white, heterosexual, cis, etc.)? Without specifying the ask, illustrating the consequences in examples relevant to the administration, or identifying specific, measurable, concrete loss or harm to American public (including those not targeted by DEI programs), I worry any statement will be not only ineffectual but will threaten APS members’ confidence in APS. I realize that my comment does not specify advocating for DEI research explicitly and the position I take here goes against my own values (which is to CENTER and uplift DEI efforts), but I’m trying to be realistic about what will be heard and potentially acted upon by this administration. Thank you for your time and consideration. Best, Melissa Hagan, PhD, MPH, Associate Chair, Department of Psychology, College of Science & Engineering, San Francisco State University
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