Fourteen APS Fellows Elected to Two Prestigious Organizations in 2026 – Image for illustrative purposes only (Image credits: Unsplash)
Psychological science gained prominent recognition in the 2026 elections to two of the nation’s most esteemed academies. Fourteen individuals affiliated with the Association for Psychological Science (APS) – including fellows, charter members, and award recipients – joined the American Academy of Arts and Sciences (AAAS) and the National Academy of Sciences (NAS). These selections underscore the field’s growing influence on interdisciplinary challenges and original research.
The elections come at a time when psychological insights increasingly inform policy, education, and health initiatives. With more than 250 new AAAS members and 145 NAS inductees overall, the APS honorees represent a significant contingent in psychological and educational sciences. Their achievements highlight sustained excellence amid evolving scientific demands.
American Academy of Arts and Sciences Welcomes Nine APS Affiliates
Established in 1780, the American Academy of Arts and Sciences serves as both an honorary society and a research hub. It convenes experts from diverse fields to tackle complex issues, honoring those whose work exemplifies broad impact. This year, eight APS fellows in the Psychological Sciences section and one in Education earned membership.
The Psychological Sciences group includes leaders whose research spans cognition, development, and social dynamics. Elizabeth Ligon Bjork from the University of California, Los Angeles, stands out as an APS Fellow, Charter Member, James McKeen Cattell Awardee, and Mentor Awardee. Others elected include Todd S. Braver of Washington University in St. Louis, Jacquelynne Sue Eccles of the University of California, Irvine – a William James Awardee and James McKeen Cattell Awardee – Adele E. Goldberg of Princeton University, Katie A. McLaughlin of the University of Oregon, William B. Swann of the University of Texas at Austin (an APS Fellow and Charter Member), Elaine F. Walker of Emory University (a James McKeen Cattell Awardee), and Sarah-Jayne Blakemore of the University of Cambridge.
In the Education section, Eva L. Baker from the University of California, Los Angeles Graduate School of Education and Information Studies joined as an APS Fellow and Charter Member. These additions strengthen the academy’s focus on behavioral and learning sciences.
Five APS Fellows Join the National Academy of Sciences
The National Academy of Sciences regards membership as one of the highest distinctions for scientists, marking exceptional contributions to original research. The 2026 class included 120 new U.S. members and 25 international members, with five APS fellows among them.
Marilynn B. Brewer from The Ohio State University, an APS Fellow, Charter Member, and William James Awardee, secured election alongside Sabine Kastner of Princeton Neuroscience Institute at Princeton University. Elizabeth Phelps of Harvard University, a Mentor Awardee and William James Awardee, also gained entry. Angela Friederici from the Max Planck Institute for Human Cognitive and Brain Sciences and Robert M. Sapolsky of Stanford University rounded out the group, both APS Fellows and, in Friederici’s case, a William James Awardee.
These inductees reflect the NAS’s emphasis on groundbreaking work in neuroscience, social psychology, and cognitive processes.
Spotlighting Achievements and Shared Distinctions
Many of the new members hold multiple APS honors, signaling deep expertise and mentorship roles within the field. Awards such as the James McKeen Cattell and William James Fellow Awards recognize lifetime contributions to applied psychological research and integrative science, respectively. Mentor Awards further highlight their guidance of emerging scholars.
- James McKeen Cattell Awardees: Elizabeth Ligon Bjork, Jacquelynne Sue Eccles, Elaine F. Walker
- William James Awardees: Jacquelynne Sue Eccles, Marilynn B. Brewer, Elizabeth Phelps, Angela Friederici
- Charter Members: Elizabeth Ligon Bjork, William B. Swann, Eva L. Baker, Marilynn B. Brewer
- Mentor Awardees: Elizabeth Ligon Bjork, Elizabeth Phelps
This overlap illustrates how sustained leadership elevates psychological science on global stages. Institutions like UCLA, Princeton, and Harvard dominate the affiliations, pointing to concentrated hubs of innovation.
What Matters Now: These elections affirm psychological science’s role in addressing societal challenges, from education reform to brain health. As academy members, the honorees will shape future agendas through policy advice and collaborative projects.
A Milestone for Psychological Science’s Future
The dual recognitions position APS affiliates to influence cross-disciplinary efforts. The AAAS’s convening power and the NAS’s research prestige amplify their voices in debates on human behavior and cognition. Observers note that such honors often lead to expanded funding and public engagement opportunities.
Ultimately, these elections celebrate not just individual triumphs but the field’s enduring vitality. Psychological science continues to bridge theory and application, equipping society to navigate uncertainty with evidence-based clarity.