Newsletter
June 2026

A month of celebrations

When June comes around, it’s always a time for celebration as our global graduations get underway. Ceremonies will be held this month in Edinburgh, followed by Dubai and Malaysia in early July. It’s celebrations all round though, as June also sees the efforts of people and groups from our global Psychology team acknowledged as part of the University’s Celebration Week. We’ve lots of successes to share. This celebration-themed issue is packed with the events that have been showcasing the ways in which our learning and teaching and research and engagement have been recognised. Well done to everyone involved in contributing to the events themselves and the successes from the past year…more on those below.

Global graduations are go!

First though, it’s our students that we’re celebrating. Well done to our undergraduate and postgraduate students in Edinburgh, Dubai and Malaysia who recently received their final classifications, including the prize-winners in all three campuses. We hope you’re pleased with the outcome of your time at Heriot-Watt and excited by the path that has set you on. We’ve been able to share in those achievements at the first of our summer graduations in Edinburgh, with some of our very proud Edinburgh team pictured before the ceremony below. The team were delighted to see so many of you (and your supporters) at the ceremony, and to hear about your plans for the future. All of our students can be proud of their successes, with a special well done to Ryan Gray on receiving his PhD at the ceremony (having previously been an undergraduate in Edinburgh); well done Dr Gray! 

While we’re on the subject of PhDs (and celebrations), we’ve not one but two recent successes to report. Congratulations to Syifaa Syahirah Binti, one of our PhD students in Malaysia, who recently passed her viva with minor corrections, for her thesis “The EDU-GROW+ model. A coaching psychology framework for personal tutoring: Conceptualisation, development and empirical evaluation in higher education’”. Congratulations also to Isabel Gillert, another of our Edinburgh PhD students, who passed her viva with no corrections this week. Her thesis, “From eerie smiles to morphed identities – Disentangling emotion detection, identity discrimination and human-robot differentiation in face processing”, included behavioural and EEG research investigating how people process faces, from detecting emotions and discriminating between identities to distinguish between human and artificial faces. Well done Dr Binti and Dr Gillert. The team look forward to celebrating with you in the next round of graduations.

Current graduation celebrations now move to Dubai and Malaysia at the start of next month and we look forward to sharing updates from those ceremonies in the next newsletter.

For everyone in the Class of 2026, keep in touch! And for all our continuing students, including those completing their MSc dissertations during the coming months, we can’t wait to share similar celebrations with you.

And the winner is… Actually, the winners ARE!

As if the nominees and winners across our campuses at the recent Learning and Teaching Awards wasn’t enough (see last month’s issue for full detials of those successes), the celebrations continued throughout June, including at various Celebration Week events and activities. First up, at the University’s Celebrating Our People Awards, Psychology had nominations across categories, and we’re delighted to celebrate the achievements of:

• Greg Fantham (Dubai) – Winner, Pioneering in Education Teaching Excellence Award;
• Dr Anna Sedda (Edinburgh) – Winner, Celebrating our Values in Action Belong Award;
• Professor Pete Coffee (Edinburgh) – Winner, Celebrating our Values in Action Celebrate Award;
• INSPIRE Leaders Team (comprising colleagues across Dubai and Edinburgh, including Dr Cakil Agnew and Dr Lucy Bolton from our Dubai team, alongside colleagues Dr Burcu Tezcan-Unal and Dr Sunita Mathur) – Highly Commended, Pioneering in Education Global Teaching Team Award.

At the award events across our campuses in Edinburgh, Dubai and Malaysia, colleagues were also recognised for long service, recent achievements of Fellowship or Senior Fellowship of the Higher Education Academy, including Lucy and Cakil participating in an event in Dubai as INSPIRE mentors for those receiving their fellowships, and more. You can read about all the awards and winners, and see more pictures, here. Well done to everyone nominated and to our winners, but also to the students and colleagues who made and supported nominations for our team.

And we’re not quite done

Also held during Celebration Week, the School of Social Sciences Executive Dean’s Awards included nominations for six colleagues from our global team (see last month’s newsletter for details). Well done to all those nominated and a special congratulations to Greg Fantham from our Dubai team on being Highly Commended in the Teacher of the Year Award. Combined with his win at the Celebrating Our People Awards, it’s been quite the year. Congratulations Greg! Congratulations also to Professor Alan Gow from our Edinburgh team on receiving the Researcher of the Year Award! Also marked at the ceremony were Long Service Awards for some of our Edinburgh team, including 10 Years for Dr Mioara Cristea and Dr Anna Sedda, 20 Years for Dr Lauren Potter and 25 Years for Dr Terry Lansdown!

And finally…

Wrapping up the celebrations, Heriot-Watt celebrated a dramatic rise in the 2027 Uni Compare rankings, being ranked the number one University in Scotland! You can read more at https://www.hw.ac.uk/news/2026/heriot-watt-secures-top-spot-in-scotland-in-uni-compares-2027-rankings. While the University experienced some changes in the QS World Rankings, there was more positive news from the annual Complete University Guide, inclduing Psychology mostly holding the position achieved last year, being ranked 35 in the UK (from 32 last year), testament to our continuous improvements in learning and teaching and the student experience over the last few years. These latest rankings reflect the work of everyone across our campuses in Edinburgh, Dubai and Malaysia, so well done!

In the news

Heriot-Watt University celebrates International Coaching Week 2026

Three SoSS colleagues achieve Senior Fellowship of the Higher Education Academy (SFHEA) status

Two academics receive prestigious SFHEA recognition

Celebrating this semester’s achievements

Academics shape global conversations in Nature

Transforming healthcare to shape the future

CJAD 800: Now Trending: Job interview tips, brain health, rope flow and landmine training, why women need more sleep

BBC Radio Berkshire: Daytimes on BBC Radio Berkshire

Heriot-Watt secures top spot in Scotland in 2027 rankings

SoSS colleagues recognised for outstanding achievements at L&T Awards

SoSS colleagues recognised for supervisory excellence across UK, Dubai and Malaysia

SoSS Executive Dean’s Awards 2026: Celebrating Excellence Across Our Community

Winners of the Celebrating Our People Awards

Celebrating excellence at COPA 2026

Celebration Week 2026 showcases community spirit

Academic shares insights on sustaining high performance

Celebrating our summer graduates: Eva Mckeown

Celebrating our summer graduates: Nadia Bennacer

Latest publications

Research & engagement

Also from the Edinburgh team, Professor Alan Gow presented and chaired a panel discussion at the joint Neuroprogressive Dementia Network, Scottish Dementia Research Consortium and Brain Health Alliance for Research Challenges conference in Stirling. The presentation focussed on the work of CONSOLIDATE, a research network developing technology to support independence in dementia led by Heriot-Watt, the University of Strathclyde and Age Scotland, with a joint panel with Working With Dementia, another network led from the University of the West of Scotland. Alan’s month also included talks to u3a East Lothain, with a packed audience exploring “Promoting brain health across the life course”, and a Borrow a Researcher session in Broxburn considering “The Secrets of Healthy Ageing”. At the two events, Alan had a chance to meet research participants from three different research studies he contributed to over the years, including one man who, at age 90, is about to undergo another round of cognitive assessments and brain MR imaging at the University of Edinburgh.

Meanwhile in Dubai, Dr Lucy Bolton recently contributed her expertise to a panel discussion organised by the Marketing + Media Alliance (MMA) MENA, exploring how organisations can sustain performance in high-demand marketing environments. Clarity Sessions are an exclusive webinar series hosted by MMA MENA, designed to help marketing and media leaders make sharper, more confident decisions in fast-moving and high-demand environments. Bringing a business psychology perspective to the conversation, Lucy discussed how organisations can move beyond simply increasing output and instead create conditions that enable more effective and sustainable ways of working. Drawing on her experience as a Chartered Business Psychologist and certified business coach, she highlighted the growing importance of prioritisation and attention management as teams navigate increasing workloads, multiple stakeholder demands and the rapid influence of artificial intelligence. You can read more about the event here.

Learning and teaching

In Dubai, Greg Fantham and Dr Ayca Demiran led a well-attended event for a recent Open Day. Business Psychology is seen as more important than ever as organisations navigate rapid change, AI adoption, and evolving workforce expectations. Prospective students explored how studying Business Psychology can help ensure technology is implemented in ways that enhance human performance, wellbeing and ethical decision-making, and how they might make a positive difference in the workplace!

Student life

With the end of the semester, and academic year, the Psychology Society in Edinburgh hosted their annual ball. With a Casino Royale theme, students from across years (and friends from other programmes too) came together in their finest tuxedos and cocktail dresses. After dinner, an espionage themed ‘murder mystery’ got tables working together to beat the clock (and other tables) to uncover sabotage in their midst, before the cèilidh and DJ took over. Well done to the committee for organising and to everyone who supported the ball, as well as other events throughout the year. Here’s to more in 2026/27!

Student voice

In “Student voice”, we hear from our students. Every contribution is different, so if you have something you’d like to share in a future newsletter, get in touch. This month we hear from Eva Mckeown, a recent BSc Psychology graduate in Edinburgh.

Contributor: Eva Mckeown (BSc Psychology, Edinburgh, 2026)

Psychology student Eva Mckeown was drawn to Heriot-Watt by a deep fascination with the human mind and a desire to pursue a career in forensic psychology.

Her journey took an unexpected turn when she became pregnant during her studies, yet the support she received, from wellbeing services to academic staff, was exceptional, enabling Eva to continue thriving as both a student and a new mother. This experience has shaped Eva’s time at Heriot-Watt into something unforgettable and deeply meaningful.

Discover more about Eva’s journey below:
What programme did you study and why did you choose it?
I studied BSc Psychology because I was fascinated by the mind and how/why we work the way we do. The individual mind is fascinating, and I wanted to learn about the brain and ultimately specialise in forensic or clinical psychology.

Can you name three things that made you want to study at Heriot-Watt?
There were many incentives that made me want to study at Heriot Watt University.

Initially, the fact it offered a science degree in psychology drew me in, as I knew I wanted to work in the field of science. Secondly, the campus and location when we viewed it were second to none. I was extremely impressed by the quality of accommodation that was offered.

Finally, the community at Heriot Watt made me excited to join the University. I had seen the amount of extra-curricular activities there was to be a part of and I looked forward to getting involved and meeting new people.

Can you tell us more about the support you received during your pregnancy and first year of motherhood?
When I fell pregnant with my fiancé, I approached the University initially nervous on the impact it may have on my studies. I was very taken aback by the amount of support I received from the University. I was welcomed with open arms and offered every single support system available, from mental health support to preparation for motherhood.

The University made sure I was able to leave lectures when symptoms took their toll, gave me support and opportunities to study remotely from home and recommended support services that would cater to my needs closer to exams when I was heavily pregnant.

The Student Wellbeing team were fantastic and offered meetings of support whilst I settled into my studies. My tutors and academic advisors were second to none and always wanted to check up on me and my bump. In my fourth year, when my baby girl arrived, on private calls with my tutors they always wanted to check in and give the baby a little wave! I have felt very supported and cared for during my time at the University whilst navigating motherhood.

What’s your favourite moment from your time as a Heriot-Watt student?
My favourite memory is actually after I gave birth. I gave birth during exams, which meant I couldn’t sit them during the April diet. I then had to sit nine exams within two weeks with a newborn and passed all nine to get into my fourth year. Everyone was so proud of me, from lecturers to the success team, everyone was rooting for me to succeed in my goals. That feeling of community was very special. It made me value my place in fourth year so much more because I worked that extra bit hard for it in exceptional circumstances.

What advice do you have for current students?
My advice for current students is to explore all your opportunities and services at Heriot Watt University. Until I fell pregnant, I didn’t know what services the University had to offer and I was amazed when I learned exactly how the University could help. You truly are never alone, and it highlighted the importance of letting the University know your personal position, as they are able to help you in your studies. I personally cannot express how important it is to speak up when you are struggling as you never know what help is available until you ask for it.

What are you planning to do after you graduate?
After I graduate, I am planning on spending a little extra time with my beautiful baby girl as her first year I have spent my head in the books to make sure I secure my degree. After that, I am going on to continue my practice and hopefully enter a career in forensic psychology.

The Department of Psychology is part of the School of Social Sciences at Heriot-Watt University, with campuses in the UK, Dubai and Malaysia. Our research is is grouped by three main themes: Cognition, Brain and Behaviour; Lifespan Health and Wellbeing; and Work, Society and Environment. Find out more at https://www.hw.ac.uk/about/our-schools/social-sciences/psychology and https://psychresearch.site.hw.ac.uk or follow updates on our social media channels.