Academic Work
20 original research and scholarly articles by Dr. Ayhan Kimsesiz spanning psychology, sexology, political science, immigration policy, and diplomatic practice.
This article examines the deep psychological mechanisms that underpin political decision-making at both individual and institutional levels, drawing on cognitive psychology, behavioural economics, and political theory.
Read Full Article →Immigration is one of the most psychologically demanding transitions a human being can undertake. This article examines the clinical and social dimensions of post-immigration depression, with particular attention to the experiences of Persian, Turkish, and Armenian-speaking communities in the United Kingdom.
Read Full Article →Sexual shame is a clinically significant phenomenon that presents with particular intensity in Middle Eastern and Central Asian immigrant populations. This article examines the cultural, religious, and familial roots of sexual shame in Persian, Turkish, and Armenian communities, and proposes culturally adapted therapeutic frameworks for its treatment.
Read Full Article →Immigration profoundly disrupts intimate relationships and psychosexual wellbeing in ways that are rarely acknowledged in clinical or policy contexts. This article examines the mechanisms through which immigration affects sexual relationships, desire, and identity, and proposes clinical and policy responses.
Read Full Article →LGBTQ+ asylum seekers face unique psychological challenges at the intersection of sexual identity, persecution, and the asylum determination process. This article examines the psychological dimensions of LGBTQ+ asylum claims and proposes standards for psychologically informed, human rights-compliant assessment.
Read Full Article →The diaspora experience profoundly reshapes body image and the erotic self. This article examines how cultural displacement affects the sexual self-concept of immigrants from Middle Eastern and Central Asian backgrounds, drawing on sexological theory and clinical observation.
Read Full Article →Trauma and sexuality are deeply interconnected in ways that clinical psychology has only recently begun to fully acknowledge. This article examines the mechanisms through which trauma affects sexual functioning and identity, and proposes an integrated therapeutic framework for trauma-informed psychosexual therapy.
Read Full Article →Sexual consent is a concept that carries different meanings across cultural contexts. This article examines cross-cultural variations in the understanding and communication of sexual consent, with implications for clinical practice, legal frameworks, and public health education in multicultural societies.
Read Full Article →Psychological profiling has long been a tool of intelligence services and law enforcement. This article examines its application in diplomatic contexts, arguing for a rigorous, ethically grounded approach to cross-cultural psychological assessment that enhances diplomatic effectiveness while respecting human dignity.
Read Full Article →Political legitimacy — the belief that a government has the right to rule — is ultimately a psychological phenomenon. This article develops a theoretical framework linking political legitimacy to psychological models of trust, authority, and compliance, with implications for understanding both stable democracies and political crises.
Read Full Article →Populist movements have reshaped the political landscape of liberal democracies across Europe and beyond. This article examines the psychological mechanisms that make populist appeals effective, drawing on political psychology, social identity theory, and the sociology of resentment.
Read Full Article →UK immigration policy has significant and measurable psychological consequences for applicants, their families, and the communities in which they settle. This article examines the psychological evidence on the human cost of current immigration policy and proposes evidence-based reforms.
Read Full Article →The post-Soviet states of the South Caucasus provide a compelling case study in the relationship between nationalism, collective memory, and political identity. This article examines the construction of national identity in Armenia and Azerbaijan, with particular attention to the role of historical memory and territorial conflict.
Read Full Article →Brexit has significantly altered the context in which British soft power and cultural diplomacy operate. This article examines the concept of soft power, assesses the current state of British cultural diplomacy, and argues for a psychologically informed approach to rebuilding British influence in the post-Brexit era.
Read Full Article →Democratic backsliding — the gradual erosion of democratic norms and institutions by elected governments — has become one of the defining challenges of contemporary politics. This article examines the mechanisms of democratic backsliding in Hungary and Turkey, drawing lessons for the defence of democratic institutions more broadly.
Read Full Article →States have increasingly used migration as a geopolitical instrument — a tool for projecting power, exerting pressure on rivals, and managing domestic political dynamics. This article examines the weaponisation of migration in the Middle East, with case studies from Turkey, Iran, and the Gulf states.
Read Full Article →The personality characteristics of political leaders have measurable effects on foreign policy behaviour. This article examines the relationship between personality and foreign policy, drawing on political psychology methods to analyse the leadership styles of contemporary heads of state.
Read Full Article →The United Kingdom's approach to human rights diplomacy has been shaped by the competing pressures of strategic interest, economic opportunity, and normative commitment. This article examines the tensions inherent in British human rights diplomacy and proposes a framework for more principled and effective engagement.
Read Full Article →Radicalisation — the process through which individuals come to adopt extreme political or religious views and, in some cases, to engage in political violence — is one of the most pressing challenges facing contemporary democratic societies. This article examines the psychological pathways to radicalisation and evaluates the evidence base for prevention programmes.
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