BCPA Annual Award

Psychologist of the Year Award - 2026 Nominations are Open!


It’s time to nominate a colleague - or yourself - who deserves to be recognized for their accomplishments! This annual award celebrates psychologists whose work makes a significant, positive, and lasting impact on the profession, on communities, and on the advancement of psychological science and practice.

The Psychologist of the Year Award will be presented in June.


Vision & Purpose | Nomination Categories | Award Criteria | Eligibility | Nomination Requirements | Key Dates | Nomination Form
 

Vision & Purpose
 

Vision
To celebrate the dedication, innovation, and ethical leadership of psychologists whose work makes a lasting difference in people’s lives and in our profession.
 

Purpose

  • Recognize psychologists who demonstrate exceptional contributions to the profession, the community, and the advancement of psychological science and practice.
  • Promote public awareness of psychology’s impact.
  • Inspire current and future psychologists through meaningful role models.
     

Nomination Categories

The nominee must fulfill ONE of the following four criteria:

  1. Lifetime Achievement: Recognizes psychologists who have spent a significant part of their professional lifetime supporting the profession of psychology at the provincial, national, and international levels.
     
  2. Community Service: Honours psychologists who have provided exceptional service or made a distinguished contribution to the association and their community during the past year.
     
  3. Impact & Advocacy: Recognizes psychologists who have made significant contributions to advocating for the science and profession of psychology in British Columbia over the past year.
     

Criteria

Please describe how the nominee meets the criteria below, providing specific examples where possible. Contributions may be demonstrated over a career, over the past year, or relative to the nominee’s career stage.
 

General Nomination Criteria (Applicable to All Categories)

  1. Contribution to the Profession of Psychology. Demonstrates meaningful contributions to the advancement of psychology through practice, research, education, leadership, or service.
     
  2. Impact and Reach. Shows a clear impact on individuals, communities, organizations, systems, or the profession more broadly. Impact may be local, provincial, national, or international. For example, Community Service demonstrates tangible benefits to the community or association, or Impact & Advocacy demonstrates Influence on policy, public awareness, or systems.
     
  3. Leadership, Initiative, or Innovation. Exhibits leadership, initiative, or innovative approaches that strengthen psychology, improve access to care, or advance professional standards. For example, mentorship, program development, or system change.
     
  4. Commitment to Ethical Practice, Equity, and Professional Values. Demonstrates integrity, ethical conduct, and commitment to professional values, including equity, inclusion, reconciliation, and culturally responsive practice.
     
  5. Dedication Beyond Role Expectations. Goes above and beyond typical professional, academic, or volunteer responsibilities in the service of psychology, the association, or the broader public.

 

Eligibility
 

  • Nominee must be a licensed/registered psychologist in British Columbia.
  • Self-nominations are welcome.
  • Nominees must be members of BCPA.
  • Current Board members are not eligible.

 

Nomination Requirements

 

A complete nomination includes:

  • Online nomination form
  • Summary of accomplishments aligned with ONE category
  • Nominee’s CV.
  • Supporting materials (publications, project summaries, community impact evidence, links, etc.)

 

Key Dates
 

  • Nominations Open: February 2, 2026
  • Nominations Close: March 20, 2026
  • Award Announcement: June 2026
     

Nomination Form

 

Nominate now>>