Transforming professional associations: An identity perspective

Working from the lens of professional identity, the article explores transformation in higher education by considering the vital role of professional associations, specifically the Society for Industrial and Organisational Psychology (SIOPSA). We contend that, due to the historical and spatial dynamics of apartheid and its legacies, many professional fields in South Africa have been shaped and maintained as predominantly White spaces. For this reason, professional associations, such as SIOPSA, struggle to transform. Adopting an interpretive approach, we employ a documentary case study to examine the challenges Black industrial and organisational psychologists (BIOPs) face in developing their professional identities. While we set the context from 2009, our article focuses on interventions between 2020 and 2024. We suggest three primary identity-related factors that hinder professional identity development: embodied practices, material and institutional arrangements, and group relations and capital. Thereafter, we consider interventions that have been developed to address these challenges, highlighting their relationship with each of the identity-related contributing factors. We argue that meaningful transformation in the professions requires reimagining Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) initiatives through the lens of identity and power – acknowledging diverse presences, dismantling structural barriers, and fostering psychologically and relationally safe spaces. Contribution: This article is outlining interventions to ensure comprehensive transformation in professional spaces.