Chia Keat (Joel) Yap | Assistant Professor, School Of Social Sciences
Heriot-Watt University Malaysia

Dr. Joel Yap Chia Keat is a highly regarded academic with over 10 years of experience in higher education. He currently serves as the Year 3 and Final Year Project Coordinator at Heriot-Watt University Malaysia (HWUM) and is a member of the School Studies Committee (SSC) at the School of Social Sciences (SoSS).  As a leader in his field, Dr. Joel chaired the notable Heriot-Watt University Malaysia Psychology Conference 2024 (HWUMPC 2024). He holds several prestigious memberships, including being a chartered member of the British Psychological Society (BPS), a Senior Fellow of Advanced HE in the UK, and a member of the Malaysian Psychological Association (PSIMA). His research centres around positive and health psychology, with a particular focus on stress and resilience. While at the Asia Pacific University of Technology & Innovation (APU), he played a pivotal role in developing the psychology programme and lab, demonstrating his innovative approach to education. Dr. Joel has presented his work at numerous national and international conferences, including EduTech Asia 2023 and the Improving University Teaching (IUT) Conference. He was also recognized as the Best Impact Coach at the 2024 Oscar Award at HWUM. His impact statement reads, "I am a catalyst. My purpose is to help people around me discover their full potential and how they can positively impact our society. I strive to inspire others to have an impact on society based on their unique attributes."