Biography

Ceyda Kiyak is a PhD candidate in the School of Psychology. For her PhD projects, she collaborates with the Virtual Reality Lab at the Behavioral Science Institute of Radboud University in the Netherlands.

Prior to UEA, she completed an MRes in Computer Sciences at Bournemouth University in England (2022) and an MSc in Experimental Psychology at the University of Milan-Bicocca in Italy (2021). She holds a BSc (Hons) in Psychology from Izmir University of Economics in Turkiye, which she completed at Maynooth University in Ireland (2010).

Her academic journey started as an Academic Visitor at the Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience at King's College London, where she received a grant from the Turkish Ministry of Health in 2017.

She is a British Psychological Society registered psychologist. She previously practised as a Psychologist specialising in Trauma-focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT) at the Turkish Ministry of Health (2010-2020). 

Research

Ceyda Kiyak has an interdisciplinary background in Psychology, Neuroscience, and Computer Science (Persuasive and Assistive technologies). She is interested in integrating technology into psychology practice, such as VR therapy, smartphone applications, and serious video games, for the treatment and prevention of mental health problems.

Her PhD project focuses on cognitive biases in loneliness using virtual reality technology.

Areas of interest: Loneliness, interpersonal relationships, human attachment, sexual dysfunctions, addiction (alcohol, gambling, sex, cybersex, and digital addiction), sex differences in brain and behaviour, intersectionality, and academic freedom.