Neal S. Rubin, Ph.D, ABPP
Professor
Clinical Psychology
Chicago
“All human beings are born free and equal in dignity and rights.” – Universal Declaration of Human Rights, Art. 1, 10 December 1948
OVERVIEW
Dr. Rubin is a board-certified, licensed clinical psychologist, educator, practicing psychologist, and human rights activist. He has taught and trained clinical psychologists since earning his doctorate from the University of Chicago’s Committee on Human Development. His publications have received national and international recognition, and he has been an invited speaker in multiple countries across five continents. Dr. Rubin is a former professor at the Illinois School of Professional Psychology and formerly served as chief psychologist at the Psychosomatic and Psychiatric Institute at Michael Reese Hospital and Medical Centre in Chicago. He is past president of the Society for Global Psychology of the American Psychological Association, a representative on the APA NGO Team at the United Nations in New York City, and chair of the Committee on Scientific Freedom and Responsibility at the American Association for the Advancement of Science.
In his view, there is a certain reciprocity in the educational space. Teachers bring their expertise to the context, imparting knowledge, spirit, curiosity, and a love of learning. Students enter that same space eager to learn and grow through experiences designed to promote intellectual and personal development. In this dynamic process, students’ growth propels the learning environment forward as they generate new ideas, perspectives, and challenges that are uplifting not only for themselves and their peers, but also inspiring and edifying for their teachers. The secret is that we teach to learn, and what we learn, we teach. In the educational space, then, all are learners and all are teachers.
Students and faculty are drawn to Adler University’s commitment to social responsibility. His approach to the University’s emphasis on social justice begins with human rights. Regardless of the specific social justice issue under consideration, he views human rights as fundamental, underpinning the full range of social justice concerns. These rights are universal, indivisible, and inalienable. They provide the foundation for aspirations to create a world characterized by justice, equality, and human dignity for all people, everywhere. If everyone works toward the Realisation of respect for these rights, everyone navigates toward a more socially just world that uplifts humanity locally, nationally, and globally.
MEMBERSHIPS + ASSOCIATIONS
- American Psychological Association (APA).
- Division 52, Fellow.
- Council Representative, 2016-21.
- President, 2012-13.
- President-elect, 2011.
- Secretary, 2008-10.
- Division 52, Liaison to APA’s Office of Ethics, 2007-09.
- Co-chair, Chair, Past-chair Program Committee, chair, 2004-07.
- APA Oversight Committee, International Network for Lesbian, Bisexual, Gay and Transgender Issues in Psychology (IPsyNet), Representative, 2013-18.
- Fellows Committee, chair, 2024-present.
- APA Division 39 Society for Psychoanalysis and Psychoanalytic Psychotherapy.
- Division 39 (Psychoanalysis), Fellow.
- International Relations Committee, 2015-present.
- International Scholars mentor.
- American Board of Professional Psychology (ABPP), 2008.
- American Academy of Clinical Psychology (AACP), Fellow, 2008.
- American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS)
- Committee on Scientific Freedom and Responsibility (CSFR), chair, 2016-22.
- Chicago Centre for Psychoanalysis (CCP).
- International Council of Psychologists (ICP), Executive Board director-at-large, 2011-13.
- Eastern Psychological Association (EPA), Fellow.
Publications + Presentations
Publications
The Cambridge handbook of psychology and human rights.
2020
London: Cambridge University Press. (ISBN: 978-1-108-42563-6)
The human right to science and the authoritarian impulse: A GNPHR follow-up.
2025
Global Network of Psychologists for Human Rights.
The importance of ethics for the multi-culturally informed mental health practitioner through a global human rights perspective.
2024
In S. Poyrazli & A. Ciftci, Multi-cultural issues for counselors and therapists: Implications for Türkiye (Turkey). Ani Publishing: Ankara, Turkey.
Reduce inequalities within and among countries.
2023
In Psychological contributions to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals, pp. 16-18. American Psychological Association Office of International Affairs.
Psychology and human rights: Addressing equity, inequality and the SDGs in the COVID era.
2022
Psychology and the COVID-19 pandemic: A global perspective. International Perspectives in Psychology: Research, Practise, Consultation, Special Issue, 11(3), 161-168.
Teaching the human rights foundations for social justice advocacy.
2021
Global Network of Psychologists for Human Rights.
When systemic discrimination, violations of human rights and COVID-19 collide: Partnering with indigenous peoples so no one is left behind.
2020
Psynopsis, Vol. 42, No. 4.
Promoting human rights and scientific responsibility in a deglobalizing pandemic era.
2020
Global Insights.
Commentary: Thoughts about the human rights challenges we confront in the fog of the war with the coronavirus.
2020
Global Network of Psychologist for Human Rights.
Psychology, human rights, and the implementation of the UN’s 2030 agenda for sustainable development.
2020
In Rubin, N. & Flores, R. (Eds.), The Cambridge handbook of psychology and human rights. London: Cambridge University Press.
Introduction by the editors.
2020
In N. Rubin & R. Flores (Eds.), The Cambridge handbook of psychology and human rights. London: Cambridge University Press.
Voices of youth in psychology at the UN: 2016-2017 interns.
2017
Psychology International, 28(3), 11-15.
UN Matters: The march for science, the human right to science and the benefits of psychological science.
2017
Psychology International, 28(2), 12-17.
From surviving to thriving: The role of mental health in facilitating global health and attaining sustainable development.
2017
In C. Stout (Ed.) Why global health matters (492-515). CreateSpace Publishing.
UN Matters: A new Secretary General, a new UN vision as psychologists contribute to the 2030 global agenda.
2017
Psychology International, 28(1), 13-17.
UN Matters: Rejecting ageism: Psychological perspectives and international human rights law.
2016
Psychology International, 27(4), 13-17.
UN Matters: Issues facing international psychology: APA interns respond.
2016
Psychology International, 27(3), 15-16.
Sport promoting human development and well-being: Psychological components of sustainability.
2016
UN Chronicle, LIII(2), 30-32.
UN Matters: International decade for people of African descent.
2016
Psychology International, 27(2), 16-20.
UN Matters: COP21: A turbulent 2015 ends with a historic agreement to save our planet- how might psychologists help?
2016
Psychology International, 27(1), 18-22.
Presentations
Apologies, Action and Repair: The role of human rights education.
2023
In G. Velez (Chair) Apologies, restoration, and responsibilities: Psychologists and human rights. The 131st Meeting of the American Psychological Association, Washington, DC.
Are our apologies enough to right the historical harms of our profession?
2023
In N.S. Rubin (Chair), Promoting radical restoration and human rights: Pathways to DEI in our institutions, communities and profession. Presented at the National Council of Schools and Programs of Professional Psychology (NCSPP) Conference, Santa Fe, New Mexico.
Honoring children’s rights on Human Rights Day.
2022
Keynote for Human Rights Day Program, Colegio Colombiano de Psicologos, Bogota, Colombia.
(Moderator). An inclusive perspective on the training of future scientists.
2022
In G. Velez (Chair), An inclusive perspective on the training of future scientists. Keynote for the 2022 Science, Technology and Human Rights Conference, American Association for the Advancement of Science, Washington, DC.
Human Rights and Psychology: What are our obligations to protecting and securing the rights and dignity of everyone and to envisioning and creating the world we want.
2022
Lynn Stuart Weiss Memorial Lecture presented at the 130th Annual Meeting of the American Psychological Association, Minneapolis, Minn.
Empowerment as a predictor of resilience among migrant women in the U.S.
2022
Poster presented at the 130th Meeting of the American Psychological Association, Minneapolis, Minn.
Understanding Latinx DACA recipients’ psychological well-being.
2022
Poster presented at the 130th Meeting of the American Psychological Association, Minneapolis, Minn.
What are human rights violations?
2022
In F. Summers & D. Faydysh (Chairs), Toxic Social Dynamics: Authoritarianism and human rights violations. International Relations Committee, Society for Psychoanalysis and Psychoanalytic Psychotherapy.
Acknowledging and transcending our dark history: Psychologists supporting authoritarian regimes.
2022
In F. Summers (Chair), Authoritarianism: Some psychoanalytic perspectives. Society for Psychoanalysis and Psychoanalytic Psychotherapy Spring Meeting, Chicago, IL.
Building back better everywhere: Health inequities, sustainable development and the human right to science.
2021
Workshop presented at the 2021 Science, Technology and Human Rights Conference, American Association for the Advancement of Science, Washington, DC.
Human rights essentials for psychologists: Foundations for social justice advocacy.
2021
In G. Velez (Chair), Social justice, human rights and psychology: Foundations and tools to build cultures of peace. Symposium presented at the 129th Annual Meeting of the American Psychological Association, Washington, DC, USA.
(Discussant). Contributing to the United Nations: Sustainable Development Goals and the role of psychology.
2021
In N. Quintero (Chair), Contributing to the United Nations: Sustainable Development Goals and the role of psychology. Symposium presented at the 129th Annual Meeting of the American Psychological Association, Washington, DC, USA.
From international psychology to a global mindset.
2021
Panel presented at the 129th Annual Meeting of the American Psychological Association, Washington, DC, USA.
From aspiration to implementation: Educating psychologists to promote human rights.
2021
In P. Hagenaars (Chair), Human rights, ethics, accountability and advocacy. Symposium presented at the 32nd Annual International Congress of Psychology, Prague, Czech, Republic.
Realizing the promise of our field: Integrating psychology and human rights.
2020
In G. Velez (Chair), Human rights and education as psychologists. Symposium presented at the 128th Annual Meeting of the American Psychological Association, Washington DC, USA.
Doing no harm: Psychologists promoting human rights and human dignity in the 21st century.
2019
Conversation hour presented at the 127th Annual Meeting of the American Psychological Association, Chicago, IL., USA.
(Moderator). Psychological contributions to gender equality: Sharing perspectives from the United Nations.
2019
In R.L. Flores (Chair), Psychological contributions to gender equality: Sharing perspectives from the United Nations. Symposium presented at the 127th Annual Meeting of the American Psychological Association, Chicago, IL., USA.
In an era devaluing knowledge: The human right to science.
2018
In R.L. Flores (Chair), Psychology’s contributions to ensuring human rights: Implications for science, Practise, policy and advocacy. Symposium presented at the 126th Annual Meeting of the American Psychological Association, San Francisco, CA., USA.
Forming peacebuilders: Youth identity development related to peace and citizenship across contexts.
2018
Symposium presented at the 126th Annual Meeting of the American Psychological Association, San Francisco, CA., USA.
Psychologists and human rights across the globe.
2018
Roundtable presented at the Hospitality Suite Program, Division of International Psychology, 126th Annual Meeting of the American Psychological Association, San Francisco, CA., USA.
Ethical dilemmas for the clinical psychologist: Solitary confinement, torture, racial injustice and human rights in the U.S. prison system.
2018
Presented at the Illinois Psychological Association of Graduate Students & IPA Academic Section 2018 Diversity Symposium, Adler University, Chicago, Illinois.
From analytic anonymity to human rights advocacy: A psychologist’s perspective from the United Nations.
2018
Wednesday Psychoanalytic Symposium, Institute for Psychoanalysis, Chicago, Illinois.
A psychologist’s international human rights perspective.
2017
In M. Tansey (Moderator), Town Hall: The Dangerous Case of Donald Trump. Chicago, Illinois.
Human rights, health disparities and Psychology Day at the UN.
2017
Presented at the celebration of United Nations Day October 24, 2017, Argosy University, Chicago.
When greed goes unchecked: Big oil and human rights in Indian country.
2017
In W. Peters (Chair), Economic booms and the potential for collateral damage. Presented at the 125th meeting of the American Psychological Association, Washington, DC.
Human well-being and the environment: Human rights and the U.N.’s 2030 global agenda.
2017
In J. Sigal (Chair), The UN and Well-Being in the 21st Century: Psychological Contributions for Contemporary Social, Economic and Environmental Challenges. Presented at the 125th meeting of the American Psychological Association, Washington, DC.
Solitary confinement and torture: A human rights perspective.
2017
In N. Rubin & S. Zoline (Chairs), Ethical dilemmas for the forensic psychologist: Solitary confinement, torture, racial injustice and human rights in the U.S. prison system. Presented at the Forensic Forum, Argosy University, Chicago.
Psychologists working for human rights.
2017
In G. Velez (Chair), Psychology and human rights, University of Chicago, Chicago, Illinois.
A case of a haunting: Psychoanalytic perspectives.
2017
In A. Slobig (Chair), Multi-theory case conference. Presented at the Illinois School of Professional Psychology, Argosy University, Chicago.
Human migration and climate change: An emerging global challenge to promoting resilience.
2016
In J. Sigal (Chair), Psychological perspectives on the U.N. response to the global migration crisis: promoting resilience amidst trauma. Presented at the 124th Annual Meeting of the American Psychological Association, Denver, Colorado.
Seeking harmony in diverse places unknown: The plight of immigrants and refugees in the 21st century.
2016
In N. Rubin (Chair). Presented at the 31st International Congress of Psychology, Yokohama, Japan.
Climate Change, SDG’s and Human Rights: Educating Global Citizens to Preserve our Environment.
2016
In J. Gary (Chair), Educating Global Citizens about Mental Health, Well-Being, Empowerment and Resilience to Achieve Sustainable Development for All at All Ages. Presented at the 66th Annual United Nations DPI/NGO Conference, Gyeongju, Republic of South Korea.
Psychoanalysis around the world series: Psychoanalysis during Argentina’s dirty war: Torture, collusion, resistance and their resonance today.
2016
In N. Rubin (Chair). Presented at the Annual Spring Meeting of the Division of Psychoanalysis (39), Atlanta, Georgia.
LEADERSHIP + ENGAGEMENT
- American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS), chair, Committee on Scientific Freedom and Responsibility (CSFR), 2016-22.
- American Psychological Association United Nations NGO Team, Special Projects Associate and Representative Department of Public Information (DPI), 2003-18.
- Psychology Day at the United Nations.
- Program Committee, 2008-19; program chair, 2013; chair, 2015; moderator, 2017.
- American Board of Professional Psychology (ABPP), examiner.
- International Psychology Bulletin (IPB) African Journal of Political Science and International Relations (AJPSIR), editorial reviewer.
- Global Network of Psychologists for Human Rights, Advisory Council, 2020.
- St. Augustine College, Chicago, Illinois, Advisory Board, 2019-20.