Paul Van Schaik

Paul Van Schaik is a Research Professor of Psychology at Teesside University, with a PhD in Educational Technology from the University of Twente. He holds affiliations with the Institute for Collective Place Leadership and the School of Social Sciences, Humanities and Languages (SSSHL). With over 30 years of experience in research, teaching, and enterprise projects across the UK and Netherlands, his work bridges behavioral science with applied domains like cybersecurity, medical decision-making, and genetic technology risk perception.

His research focuses on psychological models of human behavior, including online privacy, cybersecurity collaboration with Cleveland Police, and e-health decision support systems for NHS partners. Key contributions include developing evidence-based practice frameworks and behavioral models for domains such as energy transition and moral judgment. He has secured significant funding from bodies like the British Academy, Innovate UK, and REPHRAIN.

Van Schaik’s expertise also extends to human-computer interaction (HCI), with editorial roles in journals like Interacting with Computers and Behavior and Information Technology. His projects emphasize translating psychological insights into actionable interventions, such as clinical decision support tools (e.g., BBV_TestPrompt) and low-carbon technology adoption strategies in social housing.

Notable awards include recognition from REPHRAIN for outstanding contributions to behavioral science. He actively supervises PhD students in areas blending psychology with technology, ethics, and societal challenges. Current projects include a systematic review on dietary behavior in marginalized populations and a Tees Valley energy transition initiative.