Newsletter
Volume 30| 2007| Number 2
Program Committee Report Association for Behavior Analysis International 2007 Convention
By Dr. Ramona Houmanfar
We experienced another successful convention at ABA 2007. As always, our accomplishment was a product of the contribution and support provided by the ABA administration staff, ABA Council and the Program Committee. The following is an overview of some changes in the ABA Program Committee structure, and a data based outline of the ABA 2007 program.
As shown in Table 1 and Figure 1, the total number of submissions in 2007 was 1,575, a 6.6% increase from 2006. Posters continued to account for the majority of submissions (56%), followed by individual papers (21%), symposia (17%), panel discussions (3%), invited presentations (2%), and tutorials (1%). In addition, AUT (23%), EAB (15%), EDC (14%), and DDA (13%) continued to be the largest areas and together accounted for 65% of all submissions. Only CBM, EAB, and INT experienced a decrease in the number of submissions from 2006. With regard to the new category of invited presentations (Guest Presenters), a total of 9 non-ABA invited presenters participated in the established B. F. Skinner Lecture series. Overall, we have experienced a gradual increase in the number of presentations which demonstrates a healthy pattern of growth over time (see Figure 1).
Area Coordinators
Many Senior Co-Coordinators’ terms ended at the conclusion of the 2007 convention. The following is a list of these colleagues and those who have assumed their roles. The updated list of new co-coordinators for the associated program (see below) areas has been included in the Call for Papers for ABA 2008. It is important to note that the successful recruitment of the new co-coordinators for the following areas would not have been possible without the help and support of their senior co-coordinators. So, we are thankful to our senior coordinator colleagues for their contribution to the vitality of the ABA Program. In addition, we are grateful to those who are moving on for their value adding participation in the ABA Program Committee work during the last many years.
The list of replacements for the upcoming year is as follows: Dr. Jack Scott (Senior Co-Coordinator for Autism) was replaced by Dr. William Ahearn (New England Center for Children). Dr. Kelly Wilson (Senior Co-Coordinator for Clinical, Family, and Behavioral Medicine) was replaced by Dr. Ann Branstetter (Missouri State University). Dr. Janet Ellis (Senior Co-Coordinator for Community Interventions; Social and Ethical Issues) was replaced by Dr. Maria Ruiz (Rollins College). Dr. Kent Johnson (Senior Co-Coordinator for Developmental Disabilities was replaced by Dr. Mark Dixon (Southern Illinois University). Dr. Jacob Gewirtz was replaced by Dr. Martha Pelaez (Florida International University). Dr. Tim Slocum (Senior Co-Coordinator for Education) was replaced by Dr. Ronnie Detrich (Wing Institute). Dr. David Palmer (Senior Co-Coordinator for Theoretical, Philosophical, and Conceptual Issues) was replaced by Dr. Sam Leigland (Gonzaga University). The list of colleagues who have been recruited for the co-coordinator positions for the aforementioned program areas will have been released with the 2008 Call for Papers.
As predicted, the great effort of the program coordinators resulted in a record year in terms of the number of invited presentation submissions and tutorials. Moreover, twelve of the 39 invited addresses and tutorials were conducted by non-ABA members. This is a record number of invited presentations by non-ABA members during my tenure as the senior co-chair. And, it is indicative of the program coordinators’ support and participation in new initiatives.
Other Areas of Improvement
Program Quality
Upon receiving Council’s approval, the Program Committee revised the submission guidelines in terms of the minimum length of the abstracts and information regarding the data-based presentations. This change allowed for a more objective approach to co-coordinators and co-chairs’ review of the submissions. In summary, the Program Committee rejected 22 submissions. The following is a list of rejected submissions by area and type:
Autism (AUT): 17 posters Experimental Analysis of Behavior (EAB): 2 posters Organizational Behavior Management (OBM): 1 poster 1 paper Verbal Behavior (VRB): 1 poster.
Road Map Session
Given the success of the Road Map session last year, Jack Scott (Program Coordinator of the Autism area) agreed to continue his coordination of the session for the Autism area this year. We thank Dr. Scott for his invaluable contribution to the success of this initiative.
Last, but not least, I would like to thank my co-chair, Bill Palya, for his invaluable collaboration, and the Program Coordinators and other members of the Program Committee for their outstanding efforts this year. In addition, on behalf of the ABA program committee, I would like to thank Maria Malott and her exemplary staff members for their support and guidance.