We hope you have all had a restful and enjoyable summer.
As we enter the autumn, we have more nourishing fare for you from two distinguished guest editors who have graced these pages recently. Peter Columbus has again marshalled a fine collection of papers for his second instalment on the continuing influence of Alan Watts; and Martin Levy follows up his excellent Paul Goodman special with a mini-symposium on Dissent in the Sixties focusing on two key associates of that other quintessential 1960s non-conformist – R.D. Laing – namely Joe Berke (of Mary Barnes: Two Accounts of a Journey through Madness fame) and Leon Redler. Martin’s interview with Joe Berke compellingly evokes something of the zeitgeist of those heady days. As usual, we’ll leave Peter and Martin to introduce their respective material.
Our focus on the likes of Watts, Goodman, Laing, the Philadelphia Association and others in recent issues is not merely a sign of age (David: speaking for myself here!). It’s also been a deliberate underlining of the strongly counter-cultural aspects of much of what’s best in Humanistic Psychology. This remembering and celebrating of the counter-cultural roots of Humanistic Psychology is suddenly particularly relevant again today as similarly intersecting political and economic crises bring forth new opportunities for critiquing prevailing norms and challenging assumptions both in the wider society and also within our own chosen discipline of psychology. And in the spirit of this, we’d like to draw your attention to a one-day conference that AHP is running in October (see elsewhere in this issue), which is also serving as the launch of a new book on Humanistic Psychology that certainly has this theme very much at its heart.
As we are coming to the end of our contract with Routledge for the publication of the journal, we are combining this autumn issue with a shorter winter one in order to complete the volume for the year. In the extended part of this issue, we are featuring a hugely thought-provoking interview, and one very much in the best non-conformist spirit of S&S, with US Professor William Epstein that Paul Moloney has undertaken; we also have a piece from Elliot Benjamin in the States on applying humanistic principles to the challenges of some modern-day teaching contexts.
As well as our regular features of book reviews, poetry, AHP chair’s page, student pages and Stuart’s political diary (Robert Sardello and Sissy Lykou take a well-earned break in this issue), we also have two appreciations of John Heaton who sadly died recently. As many will recall, John was very involved with the Philadelphia Association, which coincidentally also features in this issue.
We’re also advertising in this issue the vacancy for a Co-editor created by my stepping down at the end of this year. After five years, it is time for me to seek pastures new, and time for the journal to have fresh editorial impetus and initiative, and I am happy that the journal is in excellent hands with Gillian staying on and overseeing the next transition. Being Co-editor has been a great adventure for me, as well as an enormous privilege, and I do recommend the experience, despite, and maybe because of, its several challenges. Even those with little editorial experience are welcome to apply as help and support will be given. I’d like to thank all those on the AHP Board – current and recent – and particularly my Co-editors during this time, Richard, Jennifer and Gillian, and also the editorial board who have been supportive throughout a challenging and interesting time.
This is also the last issue with Manu Bazzano as Book Reviews Editor. I am sure you would all want to join me and Gillian in thanking him for his many contributions to the journal over these past few years, especially, but not only, at the helm of the book reviews section, which I think has become an absolute must-read element of the journal during his time. We hope Manu maintains his links with the journal and continues to write for it, and we also wish him well in his continuing endeavours in the field. Although undoubtedly a tough act to follow, we think we have, courtesy of Manu, found just the right person in Rebecca Greenslade, who will be seamlessly taking over the role from 2018 onwards. Welcome aboard, Rebecca.
As we come to the end of our ‘Routledge period’, Gillian and I would like to thank all those at Routledge with whom we’ve been in contact during these years and especially in recent times Jenny Kidd and Vishani Perera, both of whom have been models of quiet, efficient, supportive professionalism. It has been a pleasure working with you and with your colleagues. Thank you also for helping to ensure this journal’s survival during a difficult phase.
Looking to the future, the AHP Board are currently exploring several promising avenues for taking the journal forward from 2018 and will update the membership at the earliest opportunity once arrangements are confirmed.
You can be sure that your journal, now coming to the end of its 45th year, will continue, despite its past trials and tribulations, and as Co-editors we especially want to thank you the readership for your continued support of this vital voice of the humanistic movement in the UK.