12/19/2022

Committee Spotlight: Council of Past Presidents

The Council of Past Presidents is charged with advising SAVIR leadership on mission & goals as well as identifying and awarding a new Lifetime Achievement Award to distinguished scholars in injury and violence prevention research.

• This is an exciting new initiative for SAVIR. How do you see the Council’s role in advancing violence and injury research?

I see the role as serving as a sounding board that can perhaps provide some perspective to current leaders of SAVIR, drawing on both experience as SAVIR leaders and as senior people in the field. I think we also can help current leadership learn from earlier successes and challenges SAVIR was developing.

• Which Past President is most likely to have been voted “Most likely to become President” by their high school peers?

Well, the answer would have to be one of the men since at the time most of us went to high school the notion of a woman running for President was not considered reasonable despite Victoria Woodhull running in 1872, and Margaret Chase Smith efforts to be nominated in 1964 and Shirley Chisholm’s attempt in 1972.

• What advice do you have to rising scholars beginning their career in injury and violence research?

I think one important element is to be good colleagues – helping out others and asking for help when you need it.  While we all compete for scarce dollars, it is important to not let that obscure the bigger picture of moving the field forward vs. promoting one’s own career. Good scholarship will reap rewards and patience is necessary. Progress takes time and can’t be rushed. I have always urged my students to be patient with the pace of progress, but impatient about wanting to keep pushing ahead.

• The Council membership is an all-star squad of injury and violence researchers. If the Council were to play a game of softball against a hypothetical rival, which organization would you challenge and why?

I have no idea, but I’m sure we’d be decked out in all the best safety equipment.

• What would you like SAVIR members to know about the Council? How can members connect with you if they have questions about your work?

In my view, the Council serves at the pleasure of the Executive Committee and is there to be helpful when they request our input. We are not there to take over a leadership role.  Once we have our first meeting, other members may have ideas of how we can be most helpful.  Anyone who wants to connect with a member of the Council should feel free to just send an email.  In my experience, we are all people who are pretty responsive and willing to be helpful.