Current Psychology - Call for Papers to Current Psychology’s Special Issue on Diversity Science!
Diversity Science: From Theory to Action in Applied Settings
According to the influential work of Plaut (2010), diversity science is defined as scientific research that centers human differences within a sociocultural context. Diversity science is a framework that uses all the scientific methods of psychological science; however, the tools employed are specifically geared towards addressing issues related to diversity, equity, and inclusion. Diversity science also aims to respectfully represent historically underrepresented and socially marginalized/minoritized persons (e.g., racial/ethnic communities, low-income persons, women, religious communities, people living with disabilities, immigrants, LGBTQ+, LGBTQ+ People of Color, and other diverse communities; Causadias et al., 2023; Millet et al., 2019; Plaut, 2010). At the center of diversity science is the notion that inequity, structural discrimination, and lack of inclusion of diverse communities occurs in every sector of society (e.g., education, healthcare, businesses, organizations; Plaut, 2010). Other diversity science principles include recognizing that human individual differences are bound by sociocultural contexts; discrimination experienced by social groups limits economic, employment, educational, and health opportunities; and historical patterns of oppression and inequality exist in structures of society, and these are also replicated in psychological science (Millet et al., 2019). Given the widespread inequities, science from every discipline within psychology is inherently diversity science because human thoughts, beliefs, and behaviors cannot be examined in a vacuum that is devoid of sociocultural contexts and influences (Mendoza-Denton & Espana, 2010); however, most research does not consider sociocultural contexts. To this end, psychological scientists are in a unique position to use a diversity science in applied settings to find solutions to address these inequities.
Despite the increased number of theoretical papers dedicated to this topic, very few articles focus on making explicit the theory/principles that drive the action of diversity science in applied settings (e.g., higher education, healthcare, businesses/workplaces, community-based organizations, legislative offices, and police departments). Thus, our call for submissions will curate studies that centers diversity science theory/principles as a framework to guide action in applied settings.
Submissions to Current Psychology will be accepted from across psychological disciplines, with special attention to studies that:
• Discuss a theoretical development of diversity science as a field, with theories/principles.
• Use basic research to test diversity science theory/principles, including quantitative, qualitative, or mixed methods in applied settings.
Some examples include (but are not limited to):
• Higher Education (e.g., faculty hiring, promotion, and retention; diversity science in university curriculum)
• Healthcare (e.g., experiences of discrimination; health disparities)
• Organizational Practices (e.g., process for addressing discrimination in the workplace)
To advance the field, this special collection will highlight manuscripts that directly test and discuss diversity science theory/principles, to make explicit the underlying diversity science theory/principles across various applied settings. All submissions will be peer reviewed. No letter of intent is needed.
Guest Editors:
James J. García, MS, PhD (Cal State Fullerton; Clinical Health Psychology/Health Equity/Social Determinants of Health),
Asya Harrison, PhD (Cal State Fullerton; Educational and Developmental Psychology),
H. Wenwen Ni, PhD (Sonoma State University; Social Psychology/Intergroup Relations)
Submission Deadline: November 1, 2024
Submission Procedure: Submissions to the Collection must be theoretical papers discussing diversity science theory/principles with practical applications or empirical research articles (i.e., basic science, studies that use quantitative, qualitative, or mixed methods) that examine diversity science in applied settings.
Submission Process:
Please submit all manuscripts through the journal’s Editorial Manager (see here: https://www2.cloud.editorialmanager.com/cups/default2.aspx). During the submission process, select ‘yes’ when asked if you are submitting to a collection, then select the name of this collection: “Diversity Science: From Theory to Action in Applied Settings.”
Author Guidelines: https://link.springer.com/journal/12144/submission-guidelines
Rationale: We want to showcase to the readership of Current Psychology that diversity science is the future and cutting-edge of the field, consistent with the journal’s vision and mission.
Questions regarding the suitability of submissions can be directed to Dr. James J. García: jamesgarcia@fullerton.edu
We look forward to reading these revolutionary submissions,
James J. García, MS, PhD, Asya Harrison, PhD, & H. Wenwen Ni, PhD
Guest Editors
Current Psychology