Personal profile
Biography
Dr. Çakıl Agnew is an Associate Professor of Psychology at Heriot‑Watt University Dubai and the Director of the Online MSc in Business and Organisational Psychology. She completed her PhD and postdoctoral training at the University of Aberdeen’s Industrial Psychology Research Centre. An industrial psychologist with a strong foundation in Human Factors and Applied Psychology, her previous work examines the role of safety, leadership, and organisational design in shaping performance, particularly within high‑risk and safety‑critical industries, and she has engaged in consultancy work across sectors including Healthcare, Oil and Gas, Transport, and Aviation.
Dr. Agnew is a Chartered Psychologist with the British Psychological Society (BPS) and a Senior Fellow of Advance HE (SFHEA). She supervises PhD students and maintains an applied research and consultancy portfolio. She is also a Member of the Association for Business Psychology (ABP) and serves as a Board Member for the Society for Business Psychology – Middle East, contributing to regional professional development and practitioner engagement. Her current work includes projects on organisational wellbeing and sustainability behaviours in higher education, developed through collaborations with regional partners and international institutions.
Research interests
Press Profile
2023
- Student Story – Al Bayan Newspaper | Discussing postgraduate research on AI tools predicting personality traits in hiring.
- Expert Comments – Al Ittihad Newspaper | Expressing gratitude for UAE support after the Turkey-Syria earthquake.
2024
- Opinion Piece – Kul Al Usra Lifestyle Magazine | Advice for students on choosing university majors and overcoming psychological challenges.
- Opinion Piece – Nafseyati (Psychology Platform) | Insights on the positive aspects of stress and how to harness it for growth during Stress Awareness Month.
- Feature – Gulf News | Discussing Chronoworking and the impact of prioritising productivity over well-being on mental health and work-life balance.
2025
- Opinion Piece – Al Jawhara Magazine | Midlife career pivots and the use of AI companions for emotional support.
- Opinion Piece – Education UAE | Highlighting early-career professional stress and the need for organisational interventions.
- Opinion Piece – Kul Al Usra Lifestyle Magazine | Analysis of social media trends, influencer culture, and their impact on consumer identity and self-worth.
- Industry Feature – Al Khaleej Newspaper | Guidance for parents on balancing children’s social media use and online safety.
- Industry Feature – Al Bayan Newspaper | Benefits of the winter break for student well-being and considerations on AI companions’ effect on social connections.
External positions
Visiting Professor, Abdullah Gül University
2024 → …
Expertise related to UN Sustainable Development Goals
In 2015, UN member states agreed to 17 global Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) to end poverty, protect the planet and ensure prosperity for all. This person’s work contributes towards the following SDG(s):
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SDG 3 Good Health and Well-being
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SDG 4 Quality Education
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SDG 13 Climate Action
Fingerprint
- 1 Similar Profiles
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Driving Sustainable Behaviours in Higher Education: The Role of Environmental Commitment, Leadership, and Organisational Culture
Agnew, Ç., Thompson, O. & Cristea, M., 21 May 2025.Research output: Contribution to conference › Paper › peer-review
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Effects of Fantasy and Imagery Vividness During Reading on Empathy
Sohail, S. & Agnew, Ç., Sept 2025, In: Imagination, Cognition and Personality. 45, 1, p. 3-19 17 p.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
Open AccessFile12 Downloads (Pure) -
Managing Change: The Role of Social and Supervisory Support in Enhancing Well-Being Among Expatriate Workers
Demiran, A., Agnew, C. & Cristea, M., 22 Feb 2025, p. 146-147. 2 p.Research output: Contribution to conference › Paper › peer-review
Open Access -
Workplace well-being in the manufacturing industry: Systematic literature review
Demiran, A., Cristea, M. & Agnew, Ç., 21 May 2025.Research output: Contribution to conference › Paper › peer-review
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Virtual team performance and Wellbeing for Event Project Management: Principles, technology, and innovation.
Salama, M., Agnew, Ç. & Fantham, G., Feb 2021, Event Project Management. Goodfellow PublishersResearch output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceeding › Chapter
Prizes
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Aurora Leadership Development, Advance HE
Agnew, Ç. (Recipient), 2002
Prize: National/international honour
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Celebrating our People Award - Highly Commended Collaborate Team Award
Agnew, Ç. (Recipient), 2025
Prize: Prize (including medals and awards)
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Celebrating our People Award - Pioneering in Education Global Teaching Team Award
Agnew, Ç. (Recipient), 2025
Prize: Prize (including medals and awards)
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Global Leaders Programme - Celebrate Award
Agnew, Ç. (Recipient), 2024
Prize: Prize (including medals and awards)
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Abdullah Gul University
Agnew, Ç. (Visiting Researcher)
1 Jan 2025 → 1 Jan 2026Activity: Visiting an external institution › Visiting an external academic institution
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Examining the predictors of green behaviours in the workplace – a higher education perspective as a change maker
Agnew, Ç. (Speaker)
22 Feb 2025Activity: Talk or presentation › Oral presentation
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Managing Change: The role of social and supervisory support in enhancing well-being among expatriate workers.
Demiran, A. (Speaker), Cristea, M. (Speaker) & Agnew, Ç. (Speaker)
Feb 2025Activity: Talk or presentation › Oral presentation
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Examining the predictors of green behaviours in the workplace – a higher education perspective as a change maker
Agnew, Ç. (Speaker)
22 Feb 2025Activity: Talk or presentation › Oral presentation
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Driving Sustainable Behaviours in Higher Education: The Role of Environmental Commitment, Leadership, and Organisational Culture
Agnew, Ç. (Speaker), Cristea, M. (Contributor) & Thompson, O. (Speaker)
May 2025Activity: Talk or presentation › Oral presentation
Press/Media
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Academic holidays are an opportunity to enhance family and social connection
24/12/25
1 Media contribution
Press/Media: Other
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Artificial Intelligence Chat: Do they pose a risk to adolescents and young adults?
6/07/25
1 Media contribution
Press/Media: Other