Professor Sukanlaya Sawang is a behavioural scientist who explores how innovation, technology, and organisational dynamics shape the success of small and medium-sized businesses and entrepreneurs — with a strong emphasis on workplace well-being and the role of AI in modern work.
Professor
Sukanlaya Sawang
The Potential for Workplaces to Provide Social Support for Distressed Infrastructure Workers
Rebecca R Langdon, Lisa Bradley, Cameron Newton, Sukanlaya Sawang
Infrastructure workers experience high rates of psychological distress and suicide. Social capital (e.g., co-workers, friends, family) and social support (e.g., emotional, practical, informational) help to minimize distress. This study explores how social capital and social support contribute to psychological distress and if accessing social capital to provide social support is different for distressed compared to non-distressed workers. A sample of 220 infrastructure workers recruited online from Canada, the United Kingdom, and the United States of America was used. The study explored social capital (sum and diversity) along with social support and who the workers would approach first for each type...
Lions, Bees, and Chameleons
Sukanlaya Sawang, Safiya Mukhtar Alshibani, Poh Yen Ng
Purpose: This study explores the complex relationship between a founder’s social identity and the Dark Triad traits. It aims to provide a more nuanced understanding of entrepreneurial behaviours and their subsequent impact on enterprise performance and founders’ well-being. Design/methodology/approach: Drawing inspiration from the animal kingdom, we identify three entrepreneurial archetypes: Lions, Bees, and Chameleons, using latent profile analysis (LPA) of 28,853 active entrepreneurs. Lions, embodying a balanced competitiveness, exhibit a strategic blend of dominance and communal living. As collaborative visionaries, Bees showcase a strong inclination towards teamwork and purpose-driven collaboration. Chameleons, the strategic individualists, reveal adaptability and calculated approaches to...
A Practical Guide to Paying off Your Mortgage Early
Lien Luu, Sukanlaya Sawang
Owning a property is a dream for many people, and borrowing from banks is often essential to achieve this. However, having a mortgage can cause real anxiety because of the latent fear of losing our home if we cannot keep up with mortgage payments. Traditionally, homeowners repay their debt over 25 years, but high house prices have made it necessary to increase the term up to 40 years to make monthly payments affordable. Spreading the debt over a longer period of time not only means that borrowers have to pay more interest, but they are also exposed to other risks...
RECENT PUBLICATIONS
MY VISION
“Innovation, entrepreneurship, and wellbeing don’t exist in silos — they move together in a dynamic dance that drives sustainable success. By investing in research across these areas, we unlock the potential not only for long-term prosperity and resilience, but also for building sustainable, climate-conscious communities equipped for the future.” - Sukanlaya Sawang
BIO
Sukanlaya is a researcher and educator exploring how innovation and psychology can be applied to real-world challenges. She has worked with universities, businesses, and communities across Asia, Australia, the UK, and the US, with a focus on turning research into practical solutions. Her work is driven by a commitment to making complex ideas accessible and helping people lead, adapt, and improve systems for the future.
Global Impact
Her work delivers interdisciplinary solutions that connect academia, industry, and communities for lasting societal benefit.
Teaching Excellence
With 15+ years in higher education, Sukanlaya fosters inclusive learning environments that engage and empower diverse student cohorts.
Research & Grants
Sukanlaya has secured over £1.5 million in funding for projects spanning AI, entrepreneurial ecosystems, wellbeing tourism, and sustainable development.
Industry Engagement
She partners with businesses and policymakers to drive innovation, support growth, and apply research in real-world settings.
