I am pleased to report on the results of the delegate nomination and selection process. As indicated in a previous update, the Planning Commission sought nominations first from the 17 neuropsychology organizations, with two delegates selected from each organization’s list of nominees. Because there is currently no neuropsychology organization at the doctoral level, the Planning Commission also sought one delegate each from CUDCP and NCSPP, which, taken together, represent the lion’s share of doctoral programs that provide education and training in clinical neuropsychology.
Each organization was asked to submit a rank-ordered list of 3-5 delegate nominees from their membership, and subsequently those nominees completed an online application form. In total, 79 organizational nominations were submitted. After organizational nominations were closed, self-nominations were opened to at-large delegates. In total, 153 at-large nominations were received.
Delegate Selection Process
Based on procedures approved by the Planning Commission, the Delegate Slate Subcommittee (DSS) undertook a detailed process of reviewing delegates based on multiple criteria, with the goal of building a total delegate slate to be submitted for review and approval by the Planning Commission. Delegate selection procedures included the following aspirational goals:
- At least one-third of delegates will be from racial, ethnic, linguistic, and cultural groups underrepresented in neuropsychology.
- People of diverse gender and sexual orientation will be represented in percentages that approximate their representation in the North American population.
- Delegates will be drawn from primary employment (e.g., university, hospital, private practice), practice area (e.g., pediatric, adult, lifespan, geriatric, forensic, rehabilitation), and training (e.g., practicum, graduate school, internship, fellowship) settings that approximate the percentage of neuropsychologists participating in these settings.
In addition to the above goals, the DSS considered each organization’s rank ordering of their nominees. Furthermore, organizational nominees that were not among the 36 organizational delegates selected were included in the pool to be reviewed as at-large delegates.
Delegates for the MNC
A slate of delegates and alternates was approved by the Planning Commission on May 16, 2022, and minor adjustments were later made due to the inability of some selectees to attend. The current slate of 56 delegates is posted here, and key group statistics are posted here. As noted, 41% of delegates reported a race/ethnicity within BIPOC, 59% reported female gender, and 12.5% reported LGBTQIA+ as their sexual orientation. Twenty-one percent reported multiple languages or a first language other than English. Notably, the slate includes six current trainees and broad representation across clinical neuropsychologists in early, mid, and late career. Of note, delegates typically had broad experience in offering training across multiple training levels and practice areas.
MNC and Houston Conference Compared
In contrast to the delegate makeup of the Minnesota Neuropsychology Conference, the original Houston Conference had 177 delegate applications, from whom 40 delegates were chosen. Although demographic breakdowns were not reported for Houston Conference delegates, the selection procedures were based on representativeness among neuropsychologists at that time (Bieliauskas, 1998), and delegates were approximately 70% male, with very limited racial/ethnic and linguistic diversity among the delegate group.
Speaking on behalf of the Planning Commission and the DSS, we were very impressed with the response from organizations and from self-nominees. While the sheer number and high quality of nominees made the selection process time-consuming and challenging, it also underscored a broad interest and willingness to invest in the MNC and the broad diversity now within our field. As an observer of the process, I can speak to the care and integrity with which the DSS undertook constructing the slate.
What’s Happening, and What’s Next?
Delegates are currently being oriented to MNC objectives via virtual meetings with members of the Steering Committee and Expert Panel. Prior to the MNC, delegates will review readings on the history of neuropsychology education and training, competencies, diversity, and technology to provide background for the work of the conference. At the MNC, much of the work of the conference will take place within four Delegate Teams, the products of which will undergo discussion and voting at plenary sessions.
On the behalf of the Planning Commission, I thank the 19 organizations for their involvement and support and the 232 individuals who applied to serve as delegates. This process for me has brought into stark relief the incredible talents and achievements that continue to serve our field and make be proud to be a neuropsychologist.
Brad Roper, Executive Committee Chair, HCG Revision Planning Commission
Reference:
Bieliauskas, Linas A. (1998). The Houston Conference on Specialty Education and Training in Clinical Neuropsychology. Archives of Clinical Neuropsychology, 13(2), 160–66.