Darren Van Laar

Darren Van Laar is a Reader in Applied Psychology at the University of Portsmouth, where he also serves as Director of the Graduate School since 2011. His academic work bridges psychology with real-world applications in organizational settings, human-computer interaction, and higher education.

His research interests are centered on Human Factors, Organisational Satisfaction, and the Quality of Working Life (QoWL). A key contribution is the development and global dissemination of the Work-Related Quality of Life (WRQoL) scale, a psychometric instrument used by organizations and researchers worldwide. His work extends to PhD student wellbeing, colour science in interface design, and mental health in professional populations such as barristers and translators.

His recent publications (2022–2025) reflect a consistent focus on work-life balance in academia, cross-cultural aspects of workplace wellbeing, and psychometric validation of assessment tools. Themes include flexibility, gender, organizational support, and the emotional experiences of professionals and students alike.

He has been cited in media outlets and has contributed expert commentary on PhD student satisfaction and the Victorian Bar’s Quality of Working Life Survey. His research is aligned with UN Sustainable Development Goals related to decent work and wellbeing.

Van Laar actively supervises PhD students, particularly in areas related to employee surveys and quality of working life. He has participated in research projects such as the study on sleep disturbance and wellbeing in UK university students. He also organized the UKCGE Deans and Directors of Graduate Schools Residential in 2018, reflecting his leadership in graduate education.

He is associated with the South Coast Doctoral Training Partnership (DTP), through which his research areas are eligible for PhD scholarship funding. His interdisciplinary work connects psychology with healthcare, education, translation, and criminal justice rehabilitation.