The purpose of the handbook was envisaged as broadening the scope of
what might commonly be associated with the label of "applied social psychology" and to provide an
overview of empirical methods and practices that might be drawn on for applied social psychological
work. The content of the handbook, represented by the contributions of scholars and practitioners
who wrote the individual chapters, reflects an important depth and breadth of knowledge and
experience to guide applied social psychological research and practice. Beyond this, the process of
developing the handbook concept, recruiting authors, accepting and reviewing submissions, and
eventually compiling the final manuscript provided profound learning experiences. This process led
to reinterpretation and refinement of definitions of applied social psychology, deeper understanding
of the diverse traditions that applied social psychologists draw upon, and new insights about
commonalities and tensions in the goals, values, and foundational assumptions that applied social
psychologists bring to their work.
The reflections I share in this presentation will be organised using a theoretical foundation that
distinguishes between epistemological, ethical, and aesthetic concerns. Epistemological concerns
focus on the truth value or practical utility of knowledge claims and practices (Is it true? Does it
work?). Ethical concerns focus on the values that are inherent in scholarly approaches and their
knowledge products and may involve attention to preventing harm, justice, and moral
considerations (What are the risks of this intervention? Who might be harmed? Does the research
represent the diversity of people affected by the problems being addressed?). Aesthetic concerns
focus on the kinds of vision or aspirations that guide social psychologists' purpose and objectives
when they intervene in the world (What does an ideal world look like? How does one lead a "good
life"?). Aesthetic considerations are particularly important to allow researchers/practitioners to
reflect on their own (often implicit) visions for an ideal world, and how these might differ quite
dramatically from those of the people they work with and whose lives they seek to improve.