At the SIOP Conference in April, I’ll be wrapping up my 3 years contributing to the oversight of the SIOP Awards Committee: the first year as chair-in-training, the second year as associate chair, and this year as chair. Handing out the 2019 Distinguished Awards at the Opening Plenary on Thursday morning is a great way to finish up. As I look back on the experience, I want to highlight three things that stand out to me—and then help you think about how to get more involved in the awards program.

In 2016 a new twitter account burst on the scene claiming to be Hugo Munsterberg unfrozen after a century. Although the account is a mainstay for I-O psychology practitioners on twitter, it is not without some controversy. This may be due to a somewhat irascible nature or maybe just maybe the occasional trolling. But the account continues to grow in popularity, Hugo was (potentially) at SIOP18, and might even get confused with Elf on the Shelf from time to time.  Whoever knows who is behind the account has kept quiet. Guesses range from Mike Zickar, to Craig Dawson, to a rebranded @IOpsychgossip. Whoever the voice of Hugo is, we had the opportunity to sit down (virtually) to ask a few questions.

The following interview ensued.

This is the first of two articles exploring issues related to the licensure, certification, and credentialing of I-O psychologists. The potential for I-O psychologists to harm the public is discussed, and distinctions between licensing, certification, and credentialing are drawn. It is suggested that SIOP must distinguish I-O psychology from other fields, and this distinction may be enhanced through licensing and/or certification efforts. Finally, it is suggested that such efforts to distinguish I-O psychology from other fields will greatly improve the branding of I-O psychology.

Tests and their results influence millions of lives every day, whether it is in school, at work, or in other settings (https://www.testpublishers.org/our-mission). Assessments are an integral part of the employment experience for selection, development, certification, licensure, and workforce skills credentialing. The testing industry faces numerous challenges, changes, and opportunities.

It’s that time of year again.  Soon thousands of I-O psychologists will be descending upon the National Harbor to exchange knowledge, ideas, and learnings.  As the conference approaches, we are inspired by the theme “I am SIOP” that Talya Bauer championed throughout her term as SIOP president.  And, inspired by this vision, many SIOP members will choose to continue that energy once they return home through participation in a local I-O group.  Local I-O Groups throughout the country (and around the world) are living proof of the “I am SIOP” vision as they extend the learning, networking, and sharing into local communities.