Abstract: Applied behavior analysis is a well-established field. Both trainees and established professionals have clear-cut paths to train, publish, and practice within traditional wheelhouses of ABA. Behavior analysis has had a huge, important, and undeniable impact in a few areas (most notably, clinical practice with individuals with disabilities). And yet, as Skinner and other have noted, our science has hardly realized its potential to address the litany of other social and clinical problems that plague humanity. As social justice movements have boomed in recent years, our students, colleagues, and friends express increasing interest in tackling new and vexing challenges, integrating our science into mainstream areas of practice, and affecting system-level and policy changes. This event will showcase a conversation among panelists who have gone outside the box in their careers, venturing into spaces rarely occupied by behavior analysts. Panelists will discuss their work implementing behavior-analytic solutions for diverse issues, such as ending health disparities, preventing suicide and child abuse, and improving routine pediatric care. Panelists will engage in a frank discussion about their experiences in this work. Special consideration will be given to facilitators and barriers to their efforts to expand their professional scope, both from beyond and within the behavior analysis community. Panelists will reflect on key choice-points in their career and training and share lessons learned regarding career development. Ample time will be devoted to Q&A with audience members considering an expansion of their work beyond behavior analytic comfort zones. |