Contact: Jon Meerdink ([email protected])

ANN ARBOR — James Jackson had a tremendous impact on the social sciences throughout his long and distinguished career. At his passing in 2020, he was recognized as a “giant” at the Institute for Social Research and in the larger research community for his work within the Research Center for Group Dynamics (RCGD), specifically on the National Survey of Black Americans (NSBA) and the Program for Research on Black Americans (PRBA).

Quantifying his impact is close to impossible, but a new paper published online via APA PsycNet attempts to do just that.

“James S. Jackson and the Program for Research on Black Americans: Contributions to Psychology and the Social Sciences” explores Jackson’s career, touching on his work with the PRBA, which he launched in 1976, as well as his lasting impact on other scholars throughout his field.

“James S. Jackson made many contributions to the discipline of psychology as founder and director of the Program for Research on Black Americans,” the paper said. “He developed a body of empirical knowledge on the lives of Black Americans that furthered our understanding of stress and coping processes and the impacts of racism and discrimination on the health and well-being of Black Americans. He mentored many early career scholars that continue this work.”

On December 1, 2023, a symposium celebrating the life and career of James Jackson will be held at the University of Michigan. Speakers will present on Jackson’s impact on students, sport, the university, and national and international research. Additional details will be available here as the date approaches. The full text of the paper is available now via APA PsycNet.