Amy Irwin

Dr. Amy Irwin is a Senior Lecturer in the School of Psychology at the University of Aberdeen, specializing in applied psychology with a focus on human factors and non-technical skills across various high-risk industries. She holds a PhD from the University of Nottingham (2008) and is a Fellow of the Higher Education Academy (FHEA).

Her research interests span workplace incivility (particularly in veterinary contexts), human factors in safety-critical environments, non-technical skills across diverse sectors including agriculture, aviation, and outdoor recreation, and organizational psychology. Dr. Irwin's work frequently examines how professionals manage risk, handle interpersonal challenges, and maintain safety standards in high-pressure environments.

Analysis of her recent publications reveals a strong pattern of research on behavioral marker systems, with particular emphasis on developing frameworks like HeliNOTS for aviation, FLINTS for farming, and NTSAg for agricultural contexts. Her work bridges theoretical organizational psychology with practical applications in industry settings, often focusing on how non-technical skills contribute to safety and performance.

• Principal's Prize for Public Engagement with Research (2021)
• Nominated for Principal's Prize for successful industry engagement (2020)
• Runner-up Principal's Prize for Public Engagement with Research (2019)
• Best thesis supervisor, University of Aberdeen Student-led Teaching Awards (2016)

Dr. Irwin leads the Applied Psychology and Human Factors (APHF) research group at the University of Aberdeen, which promotes applied research through monthly meetings, presentations, and industry collaborations. She also leads the Non-technical Skills in Agriculture research group and co-leads the Qualitative Research group. Her work with industry partners has resulted in practical tools like the Veterinary Incivility Toolkit and HeliNOTS behavioral marker system. Dr. Irwin serves on multiple university committees including the Psychology Impact Group, Education Committee, and Research Steering Group, demonstrating her commitment to both research excellence and educational impact.