The candidate best equipped to steward APA’s legacy
is the same candidate
dedicated to steering APA towards greater social justice.
Margaret’s background and qualifications make her uniquely qualified to serve in this role.
She’s more than qualified for this job.
Executive leadership experience within the American Psychology-Law Society (AP-LS, Division 41), including serving as President (2007-2008), and the Society for the Psychological Study of Social Issues (Division 9). Serving her second term on the APA Council of Representatives
Common sense. And dollars and cents.
Experience managing a professional association’s budget, including a term as the Secretary/Treasurer of the Society of Psychological Study of Social Issues/APA Division 9 (2009-2012), for which she received the Division’s Distinguished Service Award, and two terms as Treasurer of AP-LS (2000-2003; 2003-2006)
She knows how to support impactful research because she still does it.
A strong background in research, with continuous funding from the National Science Foundation for over 25 years and funding from the Bureau of Justice Assistance (DoJ). She has worked with APA to advocate on the Hill for increased research funding and with legislators for the importance of loan forgiveness and funding for psychological study. This background will be helpful for advancing efforts to increase funding for psychological study and research across the broad spectrum of the field.
A track record of personal care for the next generation.
A decorated educator, having won teaching and mentoring awards from two universities, an APA Division 41, and her local McNair Program. As Council Representative, she argued for support of new guidelines for the ethical treatment of Graduate Students.
A proven champion for diversity.
Demonstrated interest in diversifying the profession through her work in Division 41, where her Presidential Initiatives focused on reviving the committee devoted to DEI issues (including instituting pathways to the profession through internship support, travel awards, and research grants to students from minoritized backgrounds) and establishing programs for Early Career Psychologists (reduced dues and conference registration fees; research grants).
A real leader with a real vision.
An internationally known expert on the social cognitive factors influencing the reliability of eyewitness identifications, which includes running a successful consulting practice in addition to her university responsibilities.
Her actions within Council and her roles within APA have demonstrated thoughtfulness and the ability to think inclusively about psychology beyond health services.
A distinguished record of service to APA
Elected twice to the APA Council of Representatives (2020-2022, 2023-2025)
Currently serving as the chair of both the General Applied Psychology and Psychologists (GAPP) caucus and the Coalition for Academic, Scientific, and Applied-Research Psychology (the science caucus), caucuses within the APA Council of Representatives
A three-year term on the Committee for Divisions/APA Relations (including a year as Chair), serving as liaison to Divisions 8, 9, 13, 14, and 41
Inaugural Chair of APA’s Amicus Curiae Brief Expert Panel (2022-present)
APA Task Force on the Publication of Previously Published Material (2015)
While Editor-in-Chief of Law and Human Behavior, worked with APA publication staff to institute program of offering Open Science badges for articles published by APA publishing
Curriculum Vitae
Dr. Kovera’s decorated career spans over three decades of rigorous research, unrelenting advocacy, and dedicated service to our greater community of psychology practitioners.
Her full 45 page CV is available below:
Education
Ph.D. University of Minnesota (1994)
Major Program: Social Psychology; Supporting Program: Statistics
B.A. Northwestern University (1988), with Departmental Honors
Major: Psychology
Academic Positions
Presidential Scholar and Professor of Psychology, John Jay College of Criminal Justice, CUNY (2015–present)
Professor of Psychology, John Jay College of Criminal Justice, CUNY (2004–2015)
Professor, Social Psychology PhD Program, Graduate Center, CUNY, (2008–present)
Professor, Psychology and Law Ph.D. Program, Graduate Center, CUNY (2004–present)
Assistant to Associate Professor of Psychology, Florida International University (1995–2005)
Visiting Assistant Professor, Reed College (1993–1995)
Other Professional Appointments and Activity
2020–2025: American Psychological Association Council of Representatives (Division 41/American Psychology-Law Society Representative)
2012–2018: Editor-in-Chief, Law and Human Behavior
2002–2011: Associate Editor, Law and Human Behavior
2009–2012: Secretary/Treasurer of the Society for the Psychological Study of Social Issues (Division 41, American Psychological Association)
2006–2009: President Elect, President, and Past President of the American Psychology-Law Society (Division 41, American Psychological Association)
2006–: Expert Witness in U.S. State (CO, CT, DC, FL, IA, IL, IN, LA, MD, MI, NY, OH, SC, TX), U.S. Federal (District of MA, Eastern and Southern Districts of NY, Southern District of MS), and Canadian Courts
2000–2006: Treasurer of the American Psychology-Law Society (Division 41, American Psychological Association)
Publication Summary Data
Books: 4
Articles: 58
Book Chapters: 42
Other Publications: 32
Presentations: 210
Honors and Awards
The Kwando Kinshasa Excellence in Mentoring Award, John Jay College – CUNY McNair Program (2023)
Outstanding Scholarly Mentor Award, John Jay College – CUNY (2023)
Distinguished Graduate Alumni Award, University of Minnesota Psychology Department (2022)
Fellow, Division 8 of the American Psychological Association (2020)
American Psychology-Law Society Book Award (2018)
Fellow, Society for Personality and Social Psychology (2018)
Distinguished Lecturer, National Science Foundation Distinguished Lecture Series (2017–2018)
Distinguished Service Award, Society for the Psychological Study of Social Issues (2014)
Distinguished Teaching Prize, John Jay College – CUNY (2010)
John Jay College Faculty Scholarly Excellence Award (2006–2007; 2007–2008; 2008–2009; 2009–2010; 2010–2011; 2012–2013; ineligible beginning 2013-2014)
Fellow, Association for Psychological Science (2009)
Fellow, Society for Experimental Social Psychology (2009)
Fellow, Society for the Psychological Study of Social Issues (2008)
Ursa Major Award for Outstanding Professional Contributions, Alpha Phi Fraternity (2008)
Fellow, American Psychological Association (2005)
Fellow, American Psychology Law-Society (2005)
Outstanding Teaching and Mentoring in Psychology and Law (American Psychology-Law Society, 2004)
Saleem Shah Early Career Award for Excellence and Achievement in Research (2000)
Awarded by the American Academy of Forensic Psychology and the American Psychology-Law Society (Division 41 of the American Psychological Association)
Teaching Incentive Program Award, Florida International University (1999), a university-wide teaching award
American Psychology-Law Society Dissertation Award, First Place (1994)
University of Minnesota Graduate School Doctoral Dissertation Fellowship (1992–1993)
University of Minnesota Departmental Fellowship (1988–1989)
Departmental Honors in Psychology, Northwestern University (1988)
National Merit Scholarship, Northwestern University (1984–1985)