Volume 31, No.
Psychologists often fail to connect with the political leaders who develop public policy.
But there are ways to make sure psychology's voice is heard. Each month during his congressional fellowship in a senator's office, the legislative director would hand psychologist Brian L. Wilcox, PhD, a thick envelope stuffed with APA journal articles. His job allowed no time to page through articles to find policy-relevant research. APA now knows that policy-makers are more likely to respond to a concise brief than a stack of journal articles. As scientists, psychologists often lack an understanding of the needs and process of pubic policy, believing that once their research is completed their work is done.