Association for Behavior Analysis International

Behavior science first entered the business world in the 1960s and 1970s. In 1977, the Journal of Organizational Behavior Management was first published and became the official outlet of OBM research. By the 1980s, Organizational Behavior Management was a well-established discipline (Dickinson, 2001). Since then, the field has expanded, with a growing library of books for scientists and for the general public, research articles, conference strands at the Association for Behavior Analysis International annual conferences, OBM conferences, the OBM Network, and graduate training programs dedicated to training OBM practitioners. While the expansion of the field may be interpreted as a sign of health, there are potential issues with the growth. There are varying interpretations of what is and is not under the umbrella of OBM, students of OBM may receive conflicting training, and unlike course sequences and certification requirements around clinical skills for ABA services, there is disagreement regarding sufficient training for OBM practitioners. This panel of OBM researchers and practitioners will provide their views and answer audience questions about the field of OBM as a whole - where it has been and where it is going.

Dual or multiple relationships are generally described as engaging in more than one kind of relationship with an individual that is secondary to the professional relationship (Barnett, 2008). While the Board Analyst Certification Board’s Professional and Ethical Compliance Code mandates avoidance of multiple relationships, it is likely that graduate students will encounter circumstances of this sort before becoming a Board Certified Behavior Analyst. For instance, essential components of graduate training may include a relationship with an academic advisor who may also serve as a practice supervisor. Alternatively, a practice supervisor may be a more senior student who is also a friend or colleague. This panel of experts will explore various issues graduate students may want to consider for current and/or potential multiple relationships in graduate school. Areas of discussion will touch on ethical considerations when working with friends, colleagues, and advisors in other contexts such as academic and work settings and the importance of navigating through these issues early in one’s career.

So, you've spent the past few years dedicated to developing yourself into the best behavior analyst you can be. You've completed hours and hours of writing papers, supervised practicum, and learning the difference between a mixed and a multiple schedule. Well, you finally did it! You successfully completed your Master's degree (CONGRATULATIONS!). But now what? Is it time to find a job as a BCBA in your local area? Is it possible your next steps might actually be more hours of writing and research labs? If you are unsure of what to do next, this event was inspired with you in mind. This panel is the perfect event to help guide you on what might be the biggest professional decision yet – getting a job as a behavior analyst or pursuing a doctoral degree? We have experts in the field who will be providing insight into the different roles masters and doctorate level personnel play in both the clinical and OBM worlds, as well as the career path for aspiring academics. At the completion of this panel, you will hopefully walk out a little more confident about getting a job or a Ph.D.!

Behavior analysts serve a growing diverse population. Diverse groups currently make up about 28% of the population (Humes, Jones, & Ramirez, 2011), and by 2044 diverse groups are projected to make up more than half of the population (Colby & Ortman, 2017). Additionally, research from outside of behavior analysis has evaluated ways to reduce health care disparities and propose solutions for barriers that diverse groups experience. Conversely, limited research has been conducted on how to reduce barriers for diverse groups within behavior analysis. As students, this is an opportunity to learn about the current standing of diversity in behavior analysis. It is important to have these discussions and begin to conduct research on how we can best serve diverse groups in behavior analysis. Thus, the panel is designed to open up a conversation about issues with diversity in behavior analysis and review proposed solutions that behavior analysts can follow. The presenters will also discuss how to better serve diverse populations and how to recruit and retain diverse behavior analysts.

Across academic and clinical settings, behavior analysts are tasked with completing a wide variety of responsibilities. The number of duties in these settings can make it difficult to prioritize personal well-being. However, if the quality of life is not maintained, then the quantity of productivity may not persist. The purpose of this discussion is to offer insights and experiences to help graduate students and professionals be successful in their careers while preserving personal lives. This professional development series panel will highlight the unique challenge of balancing a productive career, while maintaining a preferred quality of life. The presenters in this panel include prominent leaders in the field of behavior analysis. Across their years of experience, all three panelists have developed flourishing professional careers, while developing personal interests outside of the field. The presenters will offer invaluable insights to achieving professional and personal goals, during graduate school and after.

Graduate students and professionals