Psychology and the Sustainable Development Goals

This Call for Papers announces a Special Section of the Journal of Psychology in Africa (JPA), which will focus on Psychology and the Sustainable Development Goals.

Abstract submission deadline: 23 March 2020

Rationale

The Sustainable Development Goals for 2030 (SDGs) and Agenda 2030 provide a roadmap to achieve a better and more sustainable future for all. The 17 SDGs address prominent global challenges we face, with clear targets under each of the goals.

Many of the goals can be connected to both the science and profession of psychology – such as ending poverty, working towards zero hunger, improving good health and well-being, ensuring quality education, improving gender equality, providing decent work opportunities and economic growth, reducing inequality, developing sustainable cities and communities, building peace, and also strengthening partnerships to achieve the goals. While it is evident that psychologists and psychological researchers can make substantial contributions to support the achievement of these goals, it has not yet been made substantively visible and prominent in scientific research and academic literature. However, indications are that this may be changing. For instance, some studies (Antonucci, Bial, Cox, Finkelstein, & Marchado, 2019; Carr & Meyer, 2018) have investigated the role of psychology in addressing specific SDGs, such as the challenges of ending poverty (SDG1) and addressing gender inequality (SDG5). These studies conclude that psychology is fundamental to achieving the SDGs. Carr and Meyer (2018) present studies that connect SDG3 (health and well- being) to enabling workforce development, to combating major disease, to engendering mental health literacy, forefronting indigenous perspectives on mental illness, and to counteracting substance use that intersects with gender and youth.

This special section of the JPA purports to provide a platform in which researchers in psychology, and other disciplines, can share psychology-related studies that are linked to any of the Sustainable Development Goals. Preference will be given to empirical studies, but original, in-depth theoretical submissions will also be considered. Studies can include quantitative or qualitative studies and a variety of research methodologies are welcome.

Studies that offer unique perspectives on the SDGs and Psychology are strongly encouraged. Additionally, submissions from all world regions are encouraged (e.g. studies from regions where good progress on the goals are being made, studies from regions where significant interventions will be needed to reach the goals, as well as regions where distinctive trends are emerging (African Union, United Nations Development Programme. Regional Bureau for, United Nations. Economic Commission for, African Development, & Sustainable Development, 2017). The special issue intends to encapsulate the spirit and intention of the SDGs as a global agenda (Schultes et al., 2019) with a vision of ensuring that all people enjoy peace and prosperity and sustainability for the planet is ensured (Serajuddin et al, 2017). In all cases, studies must articulate the core psychological concepts and processes germane to the SDG aspect(s) of study.

The goals and targets of Agenda 2030 are universal and have deliberately been crafted to apply to all countries around the world. In this special issue, the universality of the SDGs, as well as the utility of Psychology as a scientific field, to support the goals, will be foregrounded.

Scope of the special section

The special section will include contributions in various formats:

1. Theoretical, context papers – conceptual analyses of the Sustainable Development Goals and its relation to Psychology and implications for psychological research and practices and progress towards the goals; innovative, solution-focused, context-sensitive initiatives, that may support the attainment of the goals.

2. Empirical studies – empirical studies exemplifying psychological research that support the SDGs and which provide analytical insights on Psychology and the SDGs. All papers should provide clear links to the SDGs and its targets. Scientific studies that provide findings that can potentially assist and accelerate progression towards the goals are encouraged.

Submission criteria

1. Original research papers (6 000 to 8 000 words) are invited.

2. Manuscripts will be accepted for publication in English. The inclusion of extended summaries in languages other than English is encouraged, for the sake of expanding knowledge development across languages.

3. Empirical studies are preferred but conceptual / theoretical papers will be considered.

4. Quantitative, qualitative and mixed methods studies are allowed.

5. Manuscripts should address an important but overlooked aspect/topic.

6. Manuscripts should present new theoretical or conceptual ideas, with innovative context-sensitive applications.

Submit initial abstract to:

Professor Irma Eloff: [email protected] Subject line: Psychology and the SDGs

Please visit the JPA website for editorial policy details and referencing style: http://www.tandfonline.com/toc/rpia20/current

Brief biographical statement

Irma Eloff is a professor of Educational Psychology at the University of Pretoria. She is the Chairperson of the Council of ‘Die Suid-Afrikaanse Akademie vir Wetenskap en Kuns’ of South Africa, the second woman in the 110 years of its existence to hold this position. She is the Editor of the ‘Handbook of Quality of Life in African Societies’ (Springer) and actively involved in the UNESCO International Task Force on Teachers for Education 2030.

The tentative submission process and timeline: