Then and now: A 50‐year retrospective thematic analysis of Society for Community Research and Action presidential addresses

The Society for Community Research and Action (SCRA) is the primary professional home for community psychologists in the United States and increasingly around the world. Since the formation of the American Psychological Association Division 27: Community Psychology in 1966, now SCRA, 54 people have...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:American journal of community psychology 2023-12, Vol.72 (3-4), p.341-354
Main Authors: Nettles, Christopher D., Schlehofer, Michèle M., Buckingham, Sara L., Brookins, Craig (Kwesi), Flores, Yvette G., Kelly, Amber E.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Action
Community psychology
Community research
Dialectics
Future
history
Leadership
Organizational culture
SCRA
Society
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Summary:The Society for Community Research and Action (SCRA) is the primary professional home for community psychologists in the United States and increasingly around the world. Since the formation of the American Psychological Association Division 27: Community Psychology in 1966, now SCRA, 54 people have served in the Presidential role. Presidential leaders' annual addresses both reflect the current state of the field and have the ability to shape the future of both SCRA as an organization and community psychology as a discipline given their positions as leaders. This commentary explores the trajectory of SCRA as an organization via 33 available presidential addresses, 28 of which were published in the American Journal of Community Psychology (AJCP). Using thematic analysis and drawing on both dialectical and life cycle organizational processes, three periods of SCRA and community psychology more broadly were identified: defining community psychology, applying community psychology, and re‐imagining community psychology. Themes speak to tensions between the ideals of the society and the work of the society. We conclude by offering a series of questions for consideration as SCRA positions itself for the future. Highlights Thematic analysis of Society for Community Research and Action (SCRA) presidential addresses Dialectical processes within SCRA Three developmental periods of SCRA Reflexive questions to guide the future strategic directions of SCRA
ISSN:0091-0562
1573-2770
DOI:10.1002/ajcp.12725