Details:

• Food and wine included on-site.
• Email questions for the presenters to vp.ptcmw@gmail.com by 12pm ET the day before.
• Please register for the event no later than 5pm ET the day before.

• Crystal City Shops, 2010 Crystal Dr, Arlington, VA 22202
  
• Metro Access and Parking Available (map)

Abstract:

I-O psychologists have been immensely successful in the corporate world over the last 20 years, but we have not had much impact in the public sphere in arguably 20 years, since the most recent publication of Kara Schmitt’s and Ben Shimberg’s work on occupational regulation in the mid-90s. As many policymakers are relying more and more on data and evidence to inform their perspectives, I-O psychologists are well-suited to address some of the more difficult aspects of data-driven action: assessing and quantifying qualitative phenomena, drawing sensible conclusions from multilevel data, and structuring the processes by which we collect information from a wide variety of stakeholder perspectives. This presentation will discuss 6 key public policy areas where I-O psychologists could make meaningful contributions above and beyond the professions typically driving the literature and public discourse: licensing/occupational credentialing, federal workforce modernization, education, unemployment and workforce mobility, political appointments, and fair labor practices. The presentation will cover how and why we should be contributing to discourse in these areas, what we contribute that is different from other professions, some strategies for being heard, and how we might organize around some of these issues. Lorin will present some recent examples of I-Os who have had success influencing policymakers, and invite the group to discuss strategies that might be successful in gaining influence as well as additional policy topics I-Os should engage with. Lastly, the presentation will address why we should engage with public policy: what’s in it for us?     

Speaker Bio: 

Lorin Mueller, Ph.D., is the Managing Director of Assessment at the Federation of State Boards of Physical Therapy with expertise in psychometrics and test development. Lorin has contributed his measurement expertise to such efforts as the development of high stakes tests for the selection of advanced mathematicians, medical personnel, elementary school teachers, air-traffic controllers, and human-resource professionals. Lorin previously worked at the American Institutes for Research (AIR) as a Principal Research Scientist, has served on several test development advisory boards, and is the outgoing President of the Personnel Testing Council-Metro Washington (PTCMW). Lorin received his PhD in industrial and organizational psychology in 2000 from the University of Houston.

Free Webcasts for Students

Students will need a registration code to sign up for the free webcasts. Please email the Secretary (secretary.ptcmw@gmail.com) using your student email address to receive the code.