Joel Yap | Assistant Professor, School Of Social Sciences
Heriot-Watt University

Dr. Joel Yap is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Psychology at the School of Social Sciences, Heriot-Watt University Malaysia (HWUM). He embarked on his journey in higher education in 2013, focusing on teaching and research. His academic background comprises a Ph.D. in Educational Psychology and a Master's in Abnormal and Clinical Psychology. He holds membership in the Malaysian Psychological Association (PSIMA) and is also a Chartered Member of the British Psychological Society (BPS). He is also a certified Trainer for Train-the-Trainer (TTT), recognised by the Human Resources Development Fund Corporation (HRDF), enabling him to contribute effectively to training endeavours.


His research centres on fundamental aspects such as stress, resilience, coping, and well-being. He is presently engaged in investigating the factors that contribute to cyberbullying. 
Dr. Joel Yap's research contributions have been featured in journals indexed by Scopus and Web of Science (WoS). During his tenure as a programme leader at Asia Pacific University (APU), Dr. Joel Yap played a pivotal role in co-developing a dual-degree psychology program in partnership with De Montfort University (DMU). He also established the Psychology Lab, now known as the Centre for Psychology and Well-Being, at APU. Dr. Joel Yap's passion lies in contributing to the field of psychology through dedicated teaching, continued learning, and impactful research. Collaborative strides have marked his journey thus far, and he eagerly anticipates further growth and opportunities.


His impact statement is "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."