Huy P. Phan

Huy P. Phan is a full Professor in the School of Education at the University of New England (UNE), Faculty of Humanities, Arts, Social Sciences and Education. His academic expertise spans educational psychology, positive and holistic psychology, life and death education, cognitive load theory, and trans-mystical psychology. He completed his Ph.D. in Educational Psychology at the University of Sydney and has since become a leading international scholar in his fields.

• B.Ed (Mathematics) (Hons, Class 1), University of Sydney, Australia
• Ph.D. in Educational Psychology, University of Sydney, Australia

Professor Phan's research is deeply interdisciplinary, integrating cognitive, motivational, philosophical, and sociocultural perspectives. His primary interests include cognitive load theory, optimal best practice, holistic and positive psychology, life and death education, mindfulness and meditation, and trans-mystical experiences. He has developed several original theoretical frameworks, such as the Framework of Achievement Bests, the Life + Death Education Framework, and the Multifaceted Model of Mindfulness, which have advanced understanding in education and psychology.

His recent publications reflect a strong trend toward integrating existential, philosophical, and humanistic dimensions into educational psychology. He emphasizes methodological rigor, employing longitudinal, quasi-experimental, and philosophical designs, often using advanced statistical techniques like latent growth modeling and structural equation modeling. His work bridges theory and practice, aiming to improve teaching, learning, and well-being across diverse educational and cultural contexts.

Professor Phan has been recognized as being among the top 3.5% of researchers worldwide by citation impact and was nominated for the ARC College of Experts in 2019. His contributions helped elevate UNE’s Excellence in Research for Australia (ERA) rating in Educational Psychology to 4, indicating international competitiveness.

He actively mentors early-career researchers and students from diverse backgrounds and has led significant academic initiatives, including the development of new degree programs such as the Bachelor of Education (K–12). He serves on editorial boards of major journals including Frontiers in Psychology, PLOS One, and Teaching in Higher Education. His consultancy work extends to institutions in Taiwan, Indonesia, and Malaysia, focusing on instructional design, motivation, and holistic education.

Professor Phan leads an active research program with ongoing projects on teacher well-being, cognitive load and instructional design, and life and death education. He is currently developing a unifying model of human agency that integrates life, death, and transcendence, reflecting his broader vision of advancing interdisciplinary and cross-cultural understanding of the human condition.