Award for Distinguished Early Career Contributions to Psychology in the Public Interest: Anjhula Mya Singh Bais.

Abstract

The Awards for Distinguished Contributions to Psychology in the Public Interest recognize persons who have advanced psychology as a science and/or profession by a single extraordinary achievement or a lifetime of outstanding contributions in the public interest. Anjhula Mya Singh Bais is the chair of the International Board of Amnesty International, the first psychologist in this role. Dr. Bais has led remarkably on the issue of Ukraine, exhibiting strong and unflinching leadership. The International Board of Amnesty International agreed to publicly oppose the Russian military invasion of Ukraine as a crime of aggression. In August 2022, in accordance with Amnesty International's policy on impartiality, it published a report about human rights violations being committed by Ukraine. Dr. Bais led substantial work in commissioning an independent review of the report about human rights violations. Dr. Bais reviewed protocols and policies, spoke with multiple stakeholders, from civil society organizations on the ground in Ukraine to Ukrainian government officials at Davos during the World Economic Forum, and balanced the narratives and demands of multiple departments and teams within Amnesty International, always keeping psychological well-being and mental health in mind through this challenging time for the organization. Through her research on the psychological mechanisms and levers of organizational change, her around-the-clock service to Amnesty International, and her advocacy for Amnesty International to serve as a learning organization instead of engaging in retribution, the organization 'landed the plane' well. Dr. Bais demonstrated the psychological tenets underlying peace and conflict mediation by eschewing legal advice that apologizing is tantamount to an admission of guilt. Instead, she courageously apologized for the pain caused by the report and spoke to the importance of providing greater context in a cover note that is available to the Amnesty movement of over 10 million members. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2024 APA, all rights reserved).