Industrial-Organizational Psychology PhD candidate Lingyue Li recently won the 2023 James C. Johnson Student Paper Competition. This competition, organized by the International Personnel Assessment Council (IPAC), acknowledges the contributions of students in the field of personnel assessment. The competition recognizes research efforts that contribute to the assessment field and align with IPAC's mission of promoting sound assessment practices. As there is only one winner each year, Lingyue is honored to have received this prestigious award. This is the 7th time that a UIUC Psychology IO graduate student has received the IPAC student paper award since 2011.

This interview has been edited for clarity and length.

Could you provide some background on the motivation behind applying for this award? What inspired you to take it on?

My motivation for entering the James C. Johnson Student Paper Competition stemmed from my strong interest in advancing personnel assessment practices. Inspired by James C. Johnson's commitment to fair and innovative assessment methods, I saw the competition as a platform to contribute to the field and showcase my research findings. The opportunity to honor his legacy and align my work with the mission of promoting sound assessment practices was a driving force behind my participation.

Major projects often come with challenges. Could you share a key challenge you faced and how you overcame it? What did you learn from this experience?

One significant challenge I encountered during this project was managing the balance between depth and clarity in my research findings. Striving to delve into complex concepts while maintaining accessibility for a broader audience proved to be demanding. To overcome this, I adopted a systematic approach to refining my communication strategy. I sought feedback from my coauthors, incorporating their insights to streamline my presentation without sacrificing the core content. This experience taught me the value of effective communication in research. I realized that conveying intricate ideas concisely doesn't compromise the depth of the study. It's about distilling complex information into comprehensible terms without diluting its essence.

On a personal note, what does this achievement mean to you? How does it contribute to your own growth and aspirations?

On a personal level, this achievement holds great significance as it validates my commitment to advancing the field of personnel assessment. It serves as a recognition of my dedication to rigorous research and innovative thinking. This accomplishment reaffirms my belief in the value of equitable and effective assessment practices in shaping workplaces and organizations.

Looking ahead, how do you see this project evolving or expanding? What do you hope it will achieve in the long term?

Looking ahead, I envision this project evolving into a platform for ongoing research and collaboration. I hope to delve deeper into the realm of personnel assessment, exploring new dimensions and methodologies that contribute to the field's growth.

Are there individuals, teams, mentors, or supporters you'd like to acknowledge for their contributions to this project's success?

My coauthors, Dr. Bo Zhang, Dr. Tianjun Sun, and Dr. Fritz Drasgow provided me with tremendous help and guidance in the success of this project.