Living Our Values (LOV) Committee

Aim 1: To expand RSA membership and foster a welcoming and respectful environment where all members can thrive

• The LOV Assessment Core will conduct ongoing evaluations of characteristics of Annual Meeting attendees and presenters, as well as needs assessments and feedback on our RSA offerings to ensure we are prioritizing members' voices and experiences in identifying opportunities for growth
• The LOV 3R Core will continue to promote representation across a range of backgrounds in RSA leadership positions and governance
• The LOV 3R Core will work to identify and recruit promising researchers with varied life experiences and perspectives to join the Society.
• The LOV Community core will coordinate RSA activities and initiatives that sustain and grow a respectful, affirming, and supportive community
• Strengthen the organization's commitment to engaging and supporting members at all career stages and from all backgrounds

Aim 2: To advance the breadth and excellence of research presented at the Annual Meeting by ensuring diverse perspectives and populations are represented

• Soliciting RSA attendee feedback and review the RSA conference program to review the range of research topics, populations, and methodologies represented at the Annual Meeting to identify gaps and opportunities for future RSA meetings
• Actively encourage submission of research that reflects the full spectrum of human and animal population attributes
• Collaborate with the program committee to promote scientific presentations that ensure representation across presenters and advance understanding across varied communities and contexts
• Share resources and best practices that support community-engaged, inclusive, rigorous, and generalizable scientific inquiry
• Recognize and elevate research that expands the field's understanding of alcohol-related issues across and within diverse populations

Aim 3: To support the career development of members from varied backgrounds

• Organize dedicated professional development events at the RSA Annual Meeting
• Facilitate networking and mentoring connections across career stages, research areas, and institutions
• Provide mentorship through workshops, informal mentoring relationships, and structured enrichment activities
• Recognize the research excellence and potential of early career scientists through the Nadia Chaudhri Rising Scholar Award and the Undergraduate Distinguished Travel Award
• Support researchers whose work advances health outcomes across diverse populations and centers community voices that have historically been excluded from research