A Global Community Psychology of Mobility Una Psicología Comunitaria Global de la Movilidad

This special issue heralds the coalescence of a new field in social sciences – the psychology of global mobility. This field whilst distinctive is certainly not insular. Contributions in this special issue are interdisciplinary and cross-level, reflecting an open systems perspective. Political motivation, sociological networks, community inclusion, educational institutions, socio-cultural identity processes, and organizational processes are all represented in the collection. Organizational dynamics are perhaps a special theme that runs throughout. They are a timely reminder that the organizational level of analysis in general, and the psychology of work in particular, is a major yet often overlooked component in the study of global mobility processes, including policy development. In a wider sense, the contributions in this special issue cast new light on the interaction between psychology and social/community structures, and the role of these essentially interactive processes in human development. The special issue is about a developing global consciousness, and a role that psychology as one discipline and applied profession can play in this process. A major challenge remains, of course: Connecting psychological research and evidence with social policymaking. To achieve more credibility in the policy domain, psychology will need itself to become more political, and overtly skilled in social advocacy. As these papers remind us, we will need to build more stakeholder alliances, including between research and community groups. Este monográfico exhorta a la formación de un nuevo campo en las ciencias sociales: la psicología de la movilidad global que—aunque específico—está ciertamente interconectado con otras disciplinas. Sus artículos son interdisciplinares y multinivel, reflejando una perspectiva de sistemas abiertos. En ellos se abordan motivaciones políticas, redes sociológicas, integración comunitaria, instituciones educativas, procesos de identidad sociocultural y procesos organizativos. Las dinámicas organizativas subyacen en todos ellos y constituyen—así—un oportuno recordatorio de que este nivel de análisis en general y el de la psicología del trabajo en particular, son componentes básicos, aunque frecuentemente olvidado, en el estudio sobre la movilidad global, incluyendo el desarrollo de políticas. En un sentido más amplio, las contribuciones de este monográfico arrojan luz a la interacción entre la psicología y las estructuras sociales/comunitarias, y al papel que desempe an estos procesos esencialmente interactivos en el desarrollo humano. Pro