WELCOME TO SIOPA – INAUGURAL PRESIDENT’S ADDRESS
“Everything a leader does matters”
This quote by Andy Buck, author of five books on leadership, is the epitome of why SIOPA was founded and what continues to drive SIOPA. The Society was founded by myself and Dr Alice Burston, Vice President, because we identified gaps in how Organisational Psychologists and professionals working in this discipline of psychology were being represented within Australia. We perceived a need to contribute a strong, independent voice to the existing conversation and advocate on behalf of our profession about issues affecting the field of Organisational Psychology.
SIOPA was founded by Organisational Psychologists for the Organisational Psychology discipline. SIOPA’s practices, methods and principles have been derived and are supported by USA-based SIOP, and are tailored to suit the renewed challenges that our profession faces moving into the future.
SIOP is the primary professional membership home for thousands of Industrial and Organisational psychologists practicing and teaching industrial-organisational psychology in the USA and also counts many Organisational Psychologists around the world among its members.
Among SIOP’s objectives is the goal of working to strengthen support for Industrial-Organisational Psychology research and practice among national policy decision makers in the USA, and they likewise are supportive of SIOPA’s efforts to advocate for Organisational Psychologists in Australia.
Ali and I are very thrilled to be launching SIOPA only after a mere 9 months from when the idea was first conceived during a quick conversation one sunny afternoon in May 2016. This idea quickly grew momentum and flourished into what we now know as SIOPA. We could not have achieved this without the support and efforts of the key people on SIOPA’s Board and Committee.
With the support of members, SIOPA will be a strong leader and voice for the Organisational Psychology community in Australia.
SIOPA’s head office is based in Western Australia. SIOPA will be establishing state based committees in the near future. This is a very exciting time for Organisational Psychology in Australia. I hope you will join us on the journey.