A message to students seeking interviews

 

Each individual interview might not take much time. But, due to the volume of requests, I would still end up spending a large amount of time in these interviews. I would not have enough work hours left to keep up with my work, to consult with colleagues and attorneys, and to teach my graduate courses.

My "In the News" blog is offered as a free public service to students, as well as to colleagues, attorneys and other interested people. On the blog, I provide information about a wide variety of forensic and criminology topics. I have several essays specific to forensic psychology education and training programs. These include one of my most popular posts, “What’s it take to become a forensic psychologist?” and a more recent essay on terminal master’s degree programs in forensic psychology. 

Bottom line: I wish you good luck on your assignment, but I do not grant individual interviews to students.

A message to teachers and professors who give this interview assignment:

As an instructor myself, I can certainly understand the rationale for an interview assignment. But, given the volume, I'm sure it is exasperating not just to me but to other professionals as well. Speaking for myself, I prefer to contribute my public service time in ways that I select, such as by granting interviews with news reporters, writing policy related op-eds, posting news stories on my forensic psychology blog (which your students are welcome to read or subscribe to), doing pro bono case work, etc.

I would very much appreciate your considering the option of substituting an alternate type of assignment in the future.