3002 - APPLIED PSYCHOLOGY FOR PUBLIC SECTOR WORKERS: LESSONS FROM GLOBAL GOVERNMENT

Session: 3002 - APPLIED PSYCHOLOGY FOR PUBLIC SECTOR WORKERS: LESSONS FROM GLOBAL GOVERNMENT
AUTHORS:
Baker-Salmon Zachary (University of Baltimore ~ Baltimore, Maryland ~ United States of America) , Baquiano Marshaley (University of Guam College of Liberal Arts and Social Sciences ~ Mangilao ~ Guam) , Brightson Troy (United States Census Bureau ~ Washington, DC ~ United States of America) , Jackson Kursten (City of Baltimore, Department of Human Resources: Employee Engagement & Strategic Partnership ~ Baltimore, Maryland ~ United States of America) , Perez Josephine (GZO Peace Institute at Ateneo de Manila University ~ Quezon City, Metro Manila ~ Philippines) , Rink Patricia (Canton of Bern ~ Bern ~ Switzerland) , Teng-Calleja Mendiola (Ateneo Center for Research and Development at Ateneo de Manila University ~ Quezon City, Metro Manila ~ Philippines) , Michel Alexandra (University of Heidelberg ~ Heidelberg ~ Germany)
Abstract text:
This panel of experts will present strategic approaches and lessons learned from challenges faced by governments and public administrations around the world using the principles of applied industrial/organizational psychology and social psychology. Working in the government sector poses unique challenges as well as opportunities, which may not be immediately clear to early-career professionals and even established psychologists working in the private sector. Panelists from three continents will share their diverse knowledge from working within government or as a consultant to government in areas such as public servant engagement, workforce development, human capital strategy, disaster response, environmental resource management, conflict resolution, and transformation of local government in the developing world. Representing the USA, Switzerland, the Philippines, and Guam, the panelists will share their experiences navigating challenges they face in improving the lives of public sector workers and the people they serve through scientific measurement, analysis, and real-world application of psychological research.


The session will reveal roadblocks to implementing change in the public sector and present avenues for overcoming them. Examples include:


Attracting and retaining administrative support for evidence-based interventions
1. Navigating the requirements of organized labor
2. Addressing distrust and mistrust of government by the local population
3. Adapting to changing workforce demographics
4. Facilitating cooperation between government and private sector interests
5. Building sustainable interventions and tools that can withstand changes in executive leadership
6. Incorporating new technology in an ethical and beneficial way
7. Communicating openly and descriptively to stakeholders in their own language(s)
8. Implementing long-term, evidence-based programs to support resilience in the face of unpredictable global challenges in politics, climate, or public health

Key Words (up to 5 key words):


Public policy, workforce development, employee engagement, government transformation, strategic partnership