Back in the saddle!

The human instinct to strive is a wonderful thing. It combats another tendency we have, which is for idleness. Wanting more, to go further and to new places is what propels people up mountains, to explore, to create and innovate. But there's a downside to this. The familiar can lose its lustre even if we're already on top of the world. We're sent on needless diversions, when actually the wise choice is to open our eyes and recognise what we already have.

I had the most exciting writing job in psychology. Yet after more than ten years in post, I was experiencing that pull for the new. But what other roles allow for such joyous immersion in the science of psychology? Nothing compares. And after the recent announcement that the editorship of the Research Digest is to become a full-time position, this unique role just became even more amazing.

Soon after leaving my post as Research Digest editor I was struck hard by the realisation of what I'd given up. My dalliance with start-up America wasn't going well, and I was desperate to rewind the clock. I've read research on the psychology of regret and it's always been for me a rather abstract notion; now this uncomfortable emotion was hitting me square in the stomach.

I can't tell you how fortunate I feel to have been given the opportunity to return as editor of the Research Digest. I am sincerely sorry to those candidates who applied for the vacant role, later to find it was no longer available. I want to thank Managing Editor Jon Sutton for keeping the Research Digest alive and well during my absence, and thank you also to all those guest editors who have done such a superb job over these last few months.

Exciting times for the Research Digest – more content, new features!

These are exciting times for the Research Digest – with a full time editor, we aim to bring you more of the carefully curated, quality psychological research content you've come to expect. And there will also be more material by guest contributors, more special features, and other developments. Please stay tuned, and thanks for having me back!
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Post written by Dr Christian Jarrett (@psych_writer) for the BPS Research Digest.