IUPsyS Appoints Executive Director

At its August meeting, the Union Executive Committee ratified the Officer’s selection of the new Union Executive Officer, Nick Hammond. He officially begins his post October 1, 2009, but was present to become familiar with IUPsyS structure, governance and concerns during the EC meetings in Cape Town.

Dr Hammond has been a Reader at the University of York in the UK for much of his career, conducting applied research in a number of fields including human performance and education. He directed a national centre on psychology education in the UK, was President of the UK Association for Learning Technology, and was founding editor of the journal Psychology Learning and Teaching. More recently, Dr Hammond joined the UK’s Higher Education Academy, a body working to improve the learning experience of all students in the UK, leading its strategic work with senior staff in UK Universities.

Hammond writes: “It is a great honour to be appointed to this new post, and the responsibilities that the position brings in developing the work of the Union. I am looking forward to the prospect of implementing the Union’s strategic plan in collaboration with its Officers, Executive Committee and National Members. My first duty was to attend the recent Executive Committee meeting in Cape Town where I realised how fortunate I am to join such a collegial, expert and hard-working team. I look forward to exploring the richness and variety of the Union’s activities and engagements, and its support for the diversity of Psychology across national systems and cultures. I will do my best to serve the needs of the Union wherever the journey takes us.”