Association for Behavior Analysis International

The applied analysis of animal behavior is a promising area of research and practice within the field of behavior analysis. Applied behavior analysts improve the lives of animals and their human caregivers in many settings, including homes, shelters, and zoos. Although this work is interesting to many students of behavior analysis, the path is not always clear. Students often wonder where and how to pursue graduate study in this unique specialization. This panel will be comprised of graduate students studying applied animal behavior in several different university programs. Panelists will discuss how they chose a graduate program, as well as their actual graduate school experiences. Topics will include coursework, research and practicum opportunities, life as a graduate student, long term goals, and other advice for interested students and prospective students. Audience members will have opportunities to pose questions to panelists.

Panelists will discuss their personal and professional experiences in developing training programs for students of behavior analysis (within their area of expertise). They will discuss how far the rest of the world has come in recognizing behavior analysis in practice (i.e., political and public recognition of behavior analysis as an evidence-based field of practice; credentialing issues; current barriers impeding further recognition; and future directions). Panelists will also discuss their personal training experience, how it has shaped their area of expertise, and whether or not their training enables them to practice outside of the United States and Canada (practitioner vs. academia). One question panelists could address is what should students of behavior analysis know before committing to a BA training program if they plan to practice outside North America? And/or what can training programs do better to ensure employability of their graduates? Finally, panelists will give recommendations and advice to those looking to expand the professional domains of behavior analysis.

In collaboration with the Student Committee, the Applied Animal Behavior Special Interest group presents a panel discussion with behavior analysts working in applied animal behavior in a variety of settings including zoo/aquarium, university, and private practice. Panelists will discuss their experiences in applied animal behavior with regard to training, opportunities and challenges in various settings, and the market for behavior analysts in the field of applied animal behavior.

Panelists will discuss their personal account of becoming an expert in ACT. They will give recommendations and advice to those looking to expand their knowledge and professional domains of ACT and clinical behavior analysis. Panelists will also discuss progression and personal research interests in the field.

This professional development panel discusses the design, development, delivery, administration, and research strategies in online behavior analytic instruction. Online education is growing and, with several options available to a student pursuing education in behavior analysis, it is critical that those delivering this instruction consider a variety of factors to better ensure a quality experience and high performance standards. Panel members will speak to their individual efforts addressing these factors and propose future directions in online instruction and education.

Panelists will discuss their personal accounts of behind-the-scenes activities in nonhuman animal research both inside and outside a university setting. A major topic will be how they effectively deal with universities, animal care and use committees, federal regulatory boards, and/or funding sources. Panelists will give recommendations and advice to those wanting to start or maintain their own animal labs. They also will discuss progression and limitations in conducting animal research. This discussion will include a comment on current practices in basic and/or applied animal research and speculation on where those practices are headed in the future.

Effective and accurate dissemination of behavior analysis as a natural science is necessary to the successful development and implementation of behavior-analytic interventions in community settings and beyond. In addition, the scientific foundation of behavior analysis means that its principles can be applied to a diverse range of socially significant issues. Panelists will discuss their personal and professional accounts of effectively disseminating the versatility and potential of behavior analysis in a variety of settings, such as working with parents and educators who care for and provide services to children and adolescents diagnosed with ASD, using social networking as a way to garner positive attention to the applications of behavior analysis, and advocating for public safety and education. They will give recommendations and advice to those who seek to expand their professional knowledge in creating sustainable and acceptable behavior-analytic practices in their community. Additionally, panelists will discuss the various types of feedback they have received from nonbehaviorists and provide examples on how to go about getting positive reactions from those unfamiliar with the field of behavior analysis.