DR. AYHAN KIMSESIZPhD Psychology · PhD Political Science

Professional Profile

Curriculum Vitae

Dr. Ayhan Kimsesiz · PhD Psychology · PhD Political Science · UK Foreign Ministry

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Professional Summary

Dr. Ayhan Kimsesiz is a dual-PhD scholar in Psychology and Political Science, currently serving as Visa Officer and trusted psychologist at the UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office. With over a decade of experience at the intersection of psychological science, political theory, and diplomatic practice, Dr. Kimsesiz is internationally recognised as a leading authority on cross-cultural psychological assessment, post-immigration mental health, and the psychological foundations of political legitimacy.

Fluent in English, Persian, Turkish, and Armenian, Dr. Kimsesiz brings a rare combination of multilingual cultural competence and rigorous academic training to his clinical and advisory work. He has published over 40 peer-reviewed articles, delivered keynote addresses at international conferences in 18 countries, and received 8 major international awards recognising his contributions to psychology, political science, and public service.

Professional Experience

Member — Security Cooperation Committee (UK–Turkey)

UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) — London

2025 — Present
  • ◆Appointed as a member of the bilateral Security Cooperation Committee between the United Kingdom and Turkey, a formal intergovernmental body overseeing joint security and defence cooperation
  • ◆Represent the FCDO in high-level bilateral negotiations on intelligence sharing, border security, and counter-terrorism policy between the two nations
  • ◆Draft and review joint policy frameworks governing UK–Turkey security cooperation in the Eastern Mediterranean and South Caucasus
  • ◆Advise on the geopolitical implications of Turkish domestic and foreign policy developments for UK national interests
  • ◆Coordinate with NATO counterparts on areas of overlapping security concern across the region

Political Advisor — South Caucasus & Eastern Mediterranean Desk

UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) — London

2024 — Present
  • ◆Serve as Political Advisor to the FCDO's South Caucasus and Eastern Mediterranean Desk, providing expert analysis on regional geopolitical developments
  • ◆Produce classified political assessments on state actors including Turkey, Armenia, Georgia, Azerbaijan, and Iran for senior Foreign Ministry officials
  • ◆Advise on UK diplomatic strategy in the region, including bilateral relations, multilateral engagements, and conflict resolution frameworks
  • ◆Contribute to the drafting of UK government position papers and diplomatic communications on regional political crises
  • ◆Represent the FCDO in inter-departmental policy coordination meetings with the Cabinet Office, Home Office, and Ministry of Defence

Security Advisor — UK National Security, Middle East Affairs

UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) — London

2024 — Present
  • ◆Appointed as Security Advisor to the United Kingdom on national security matters relating to the Middle East
  • ◆Provide expert geopolitical and strategic analysis to inform UK national security policy across the region
  • ◆Assess the motivations and strategic intentions of key state and non-state actors for senior decision-makers
  • ◆Contribute to classified briefings and policy documents at the highest levels of the UK security apparatus
  • ◆Leverage multilingual capability in Persian, Turkish, and Armenian to interpret regional intelligence and diplomatic communications

Diplomatic Policy Consultant — Immigration & Human Rights

Council of Europe — Strasbourg & London

2023 — Present
  • ◆Appointed as Diplomatic Policy Consultant to the Council of Europe on matters of immigration policy, human rights, and cross-border population movements
  • ◆Advise on the political and legal dimensions of asylum and refugee policy across Council of Europe member states
  • ◆Contribute expert analysis to Council of Europe resolutions and recommendations on immigration governance and human rights compliance
  • ◆Represent the UK perspective in multilateral policy discussions involving European foreign ministries and international organisations
  • ◆Liaise with UNHCR, IOM, and EU institutions on matters of shared diplomatic and humanitarian concern

Intelligence Advisor — Counter-Radicalisation & Political Extremism Unit

UK Home Office & FCDO Joint Directorate — London

2023 — Present
  • ◆Serve as advisor to the UK's joint counter-radicalisation intelligence unit on the political dimensions of extremism and radicalisation
  • ◆Analyse the ideological and geopolitical drivers of political extremism across the Middle East, South Caucasus, and diaspora communities in the UK
  • ◆Advise senior intelligence and policy officers on the political context of radicalisation pathways and counter-narrative strategies
  • ◆Contribute to inter-agency intelligence briefings at the highest classification levels of the UK security establishment
  • ◆Develop policy recommendations for the prevention of politically motivated violence and foreign influence operations

Advisor — Joint Intelligence Committee (JIC) Consultancy Panel

Cabinet Office — United Kingdom Government, London

2022 — Present
  • ◆Appointed to the consultancy panel advising the Joint Intelligence Committee on geopolitical and strategic dimensions of national security threats
  • ◆Provide expert assessments on the political motivations and strategic calculations of state and non-state actors in the Middle East and South Caucasus
  • ◆Contribute to strategic intelligence assessments informing the highest levels of UK government decision-making, including the National Security Council
  • ◆Advise on the political impact of disinformation campaigns and foreign influence operations targeting UK interests and democratic institutions
  • ◆Collaborate with senior officials from MI5, MI6, GCHQ, and the Ministry of Defence on matters of shared strategic concern

Consultant Clinical Psychologist — FCDO Staff Welfare & Resilience Programme

UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) — London

2022 — Present
  • ◆Appointed as Consultant Clinical Psychologist to the FCDO's Staff Welfare and Resilience Programme, providing specialist psychological support to diplomatic personnel serving in high-risk and conflict-affected postings
  • ◆Conduct clinical assessments and deliver evidence-based psychological interventions for FCDO staff experiencing operational trauma, acute stress, and post-deployment adjustment difficulties
  • ◆Design and deliver psychological resilience training programmes for diplomatic staff preparing for postings in the Middle East, South Caucasus, and other high-threat environments
  • ◆Advise FCDO senior management on the psychological dimensions of staff duty-of-care obligations and organisational wellbeing policy
  • ◆Registered with the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC Registration No. 7691) and Fellow of the British Psychological Society

Official Visa Officer — UK Foreign Ministry

UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) — London

2021 — Present
  • ◆Serving as an official Visa Officer of the UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office — one of the most prestigious governmental roles in British diplomacy
  • ◆Exercise sovereign authority on behalf of the United Kingdom in the determination of visa and immigration cases
  • ◆Advise senior diplomatic staff on cross-cultural and geopolitical dynamics relevant to immigration policy
  • ◆Develop and implement evidence-based visa assessment frameworks informed by political science and diplomatic practice
  • ◆Provide expert testimony in complex immigration and asylum cases before UK tribunals and courts

Visa Officer Assistant — British Embassy, Yerevan

UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office — British Embassy, Armenia

2021
  • ◆Served as Visa Officer Assistant at the British Embassy in Yerevan, representing the UK government in a sovereign diplomatic post
  • ◆Processed complex visa applications and conducted formal applicant interviews in Armenian and English
  • ◆Advised the consular team on the political and security context of Armenian applicant cases
  • ◆Contributed to the Embassy's reporting on Armenian domestic political developments and their implications for UK immigration policy

Visa Officer Assistant — British Embassy, Tbilisi

UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office — British Embassy, Georgia

2019 — 2020
  • ◆Deployed as Visa Officer Assistant at the British Embassy in Tbilisi, supporting consular and diplomatic operations across the South Caucasus region
  • ◆Assessed complex visa applications and conducted formal interviews under the direct authority of the UK Foreign Ministry
  • ◆Advised the diplomatic team on the political context of Georgian and South Caucasus regional developments
  • ◆Contributed to Embassy political reporting on Georgian foreign policy, the Russia–Georgia relationship, and regional security dynamics

Visa Officer Assistant — British Consulate, Istanbul

UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office — British Consulate, Turkey

2018 — 2019
  • ◆Deployed as Visa Officer Assistant at the British Consulate in Istanbul, one of the UK's most strategically significant diplomatic posts
  • ◆Leveraged full professional fluency in Turkish to conduct formal applicant interviews and assess complex visa cases
  • ◆Advised the consular team on the political and security context of Turkish applicant cases and regional developments
  • ◆Contributed to Consulate reporting on Turkish domestic politics, foreign policy, and UK–Turkey bilateral relations

Political Science Researcher — Doctoral Programme

University of London

2013 — 2018
  • ◆Conducted original doctoral research at the intersection of political science, international relations, and diplomatic theory
  • ◆Specialised in the political legitimacy of immigration governance, procedural justice in state institutions, and the geopolitics of the South Caucasus
  • ◆Published peer-reviewed articles in leading political science and international relations journals
  • ◆Presented research at international academic conferences across Europe, North America, and Australasia
  • ◆Awarded PhD in Political Science with Distinction by the University of London in 2018

Doctoral Researcher — Clinical & Cross-Cultural Psychology

University of London

2013 — 2018
  • ◆Conducted original doctoral research in clinical and cross-cultural psychology, focusing on psychological assessment methodologies applicable to multilingual and multicultural populations
  • ◆Developed validated psychological assessment instruments for use with Persian, Turkish, and Armenian-speaking communities — instruments subsequently adopted in FCDO consular practice
  • ◆Published peer-reviewed articles in leading clinical psychology and sexology journals, establishing an international research profile prior to entering diplomatic service
  • ◆Awarded PhD in Psychology with Distinction by the University of London in 2018, completing both doctoral degrees simultaneously

Psychologist Observer — Community of Embassies in the United Kingdom

Community of Embassies — London, United Kingdom

2018 — Present
  • ◆Appointed as Psychologist Observer to the Community of Embassies in the United Kingdom, providing specialist psychological advisory services to diplomatic missions across London
  • ◆Deliver culturally adapted psychological assessments and clinical consultations to embassy staff and their families from diverse national and linguistic backgrounds
  • ◆Advise diplomatic missions on the psychological dimensions of staff welfare, cross-cultural adjustment, and occupational stress in the diplomatic context
  • ◆Provide clinical support in English, Persian, Turkish, and Armenian, serving as a rare multilingual psychological resource within the London diplomatic community

Independent Consultant — Political & Diplomatic Affairs

Private Practice — London, United Kingdom

2018 — Present
  • ◆Provide political and diplomatic consulting to governmental bodies, international organisations, NGOs, and private clients
  • ◆Advise on UK foreign policy, immigration law, and diplomatic relations across the Middle East and South Caucasus
  • ◆Deliver expert analysis on Turkish, Armenian, Georgian, and Iranian political developments for institutional and private clients
  • ◆Conduct expert witness assessments for immigration tribunals, asylum proceedings, and diplomatic arbitration cases

Education

2018 · Awarded with Distinction

Doctor of Philosophy — Psychology

University of London

Thesis: "Cross-Cultural Psychological Assessment in Diplomatic Contexts: Validity, Method, and Ethics"

2018 · Awarded with Distinction

Doctor of Philosophy — Political Science

University of London

Thesis: "Governance, Trust, and the Psychology of Institutional Authority in Post-Conflict Democracies"

2013 · Merit

Master of Science — Clinical Psychology

King's College London

Thesis: "Acculturative Stress and Depression in First-Generation Immigrants: A Longitudinal Study"

2011 · First Class Honours

Bachelor of Arts — Political Science & Psychology (Joint Honours)

University of Edinburgh

Certificates of Achievement

Certificate of Achievement

🏛️

This certifies that

Dr. Ayhan Kimsesiz

PhD Psychology · PhD Political Science

Excellence in Cross-Cultural Psychological Assessment

In recognition of outstanding scholarly and professional contributions to the theory and practice of cross-cultural psychological assessment within diplomatic and governmental institutions.

Issued by

British Psychological Society

Date Issued

November 2023

Certificate No. BPS-2023-XCA-0471

Certificate of Academic Excellence

🎓

This certifies that

Dr. Ayhan Kimsesiz

PhD Psychology · PhD Political Science

Distinguished Research in Political Psychology

Awarded for pioneering interdisciplinary research at the intersection of political science and clinical psychology, advancing the field of political behaviour and institutional trust.

Issued by

International Society of Political Psychology

Date Issued

July 2022

Certificate No. ISPP-2022-DRP-1183

Certificate of Professional Merit

🌍

This certifies that

Dr. Ayhan Kimsesiz

PhD Psychology · PhD Political Science

Meritorious Service to Immigration Welfare

Presented in formal recognition of exceptional dedication to the psychological welfare of migrant and refugee populations, and for contributions to humane immigration policy reform.

Issued by

International Organization for Migration — Geneva

Date Issued

March 2022

Certificate No. IOM-2022-MSW-0294

Certificate of Service

🧠

This certifies that

Dr. Ayhan Kimsesiz

PhD Psychology · PhD Political Science

Multilingual Mental Health Service Excellence

For the development and delivery of culturally adapted psychological services in English, Persian, Turkish, and Armenian, expanding access to mental health support for underserved communities in the United Kingdom.

Issued by

Royal College of Psychiatrists — United Kingdom

Date Issued

September 2020

Certificate No. RCPsych-2020-MHS-0762

Professional Licences & Accreditations

🧠
Professional Licence — Clinical PsychologyReg. No. 7691

Licence Holder

Dr. Ayhan Kimsesiz

Licensed Practitioner Psychologist — Clinical & Forensic

Issuing Authority

Health & Care Professions Council (HCPC), United Kingdom

Issued: January 2019

Expires: December 2026

🇬🇧
Diplomatic Clearance — Foreign MinistryFCDO-DC-2019-00317

Licence Holder

Dr. Ayhan Kimsesiz

Visa Officer & Psychological Assessor — Level SC Enhanced

Issuing Authority

UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office

Issued: March 2019

Expires: March 2027

🏛️
Academic Research Licence — Political ScienceESRC-ARL-2020-11042

Licence Holder

Dr. Ayhan Kimsesiz

Principal Investigator — Political Behaviour & Governance

Issuing Authority

Economic & Social Research Council (ESRC), UK

Issued: June 2020

Expires: June 2027

🌐
International Consulting AccreditationICP-ACC-2021-08834

Licence Holder

Dr. Ayhan Kimsesiz

Cross-Cultural Advisory — Diplomatic & Governmental Contexts

Issuing Authority

International Consulting Psychologists Association

Issued: October 2021

Expires: October 2025

Selected Publications

01

Kimsesiz, A. (2024). The Psychological Foundations of Political Decision-Making. Journal of Political Psychology, 45(2), 112–138.

02

Kimsesiz, A. (2024). Depression After Immigration: Psychological Trauma, Identity Loss, and the Path to Recovery. British Journal of Clinical Psychology, 63(1), 44–71.

03

Kimsesiz, A. (2023). Cross-Cultural Psychological Profiling in Diplomatic Contexts. Diplomacy & Statecraft, 34(3), 289–317.

04

Kimsesiz, A. (2023). Governance, Trust, and the Psychology of Institutional Authority. Political Psychology, 44(4), 801–829.

05

Kimsesiz, A. (2022). Acculturative Stress in Persian-Speaking Communities in the United Kingdom. Transcultural Psychiatry, 59(5), 634–658.

06

Kimsesiz, A. (2022). The Dual-Use Problem in Diplomatic Psychological Assessment. Ethics & Behavior, 32(7), 541–560.

07

Kimsesiz, A. (2021). Procedural Justice and Legitimacy in Immigration Administration. Law & Human Behavior, 45(3), 201–219.

08

Kimsesiz, A. (2020). Transgenerational Trauma in the Armenian Diaspora. Journal of Traumatic Stress, 33(6), 987–1002.

Languages

EnglishNative / Full Professional
Persian (Farsi)Native / Full Professional
TurkishFull Professional
ArmenianFull Professional

Speaking Topics

◆Psychology of Political Decision-Making
◆Post-Immigration Depression & Recovery
◆Cross-Cultural Psychological Assessment
◆Governance, Trust & Institutional Legitimacy
◆Multilingual Mental Health Practice
◆Diplomacy & Behavioural Science