About
Ling Ling is an intercultural psychologist who explores the psychological science of intercultural relations and social sustainability.
Hi! Olá! 你好! Apa khabar? I'm Ling Ling.
I’m an Intercultural Psychologist and an advocate of social sustainability.
Essentially, I give talks and facilitate workshops about psychology and social sustainability. My research interest is in social, intercultural and refugee psychology.
Also, I publish the newsletter Letters from Ling, where I write about reflections on journeys, society, and culture.
What is Intercultural Psychology?
Intercultural psychology is the scientific study of thoughts, perceptions, feelings, and behaviours when people from different cultural groups interact. Among many areas, intercultural psychology explores social and cultural issues related to group attitudes, stereotypes, prejudice, discrimination, intergroup relations, identity, acculturation, adaptation, communication, and conflict.
What does an Intercultural Psychologist do?
As an Intercultural Psychologist, I research and talk about the psychology of intercultural relations. I also collaborate with researchers, talents, and leaders from diverse communities and organisations to investigate social and cultural issues and co-create evidence-based solutions to address them.
Fun facts about me
- I am made in Malaysia, where the Portuguese, Dutch and British once colonised.
- My first trip abroad was to Australia at one-month old, foreshadowing my nomadic life.
- Since then, I have lived in 6 other countries and now based in sunny Portugal.
- Growing up, I wanted to be a travel photojournalist.
- I love cooking vegan and have been vegetarian since 2009.
- I’ve been practising Vipassana meditation since 2011.
- I’m currently (struggling with) learning Portuguese and Ashtanga yoga.
You only are free when you realize you belong no place — you belong every place — no place at all. Maya Angelou
Ling Ling’s Professional Bio
Ling Ling is an Intercultural Psychologist and advocates for social sustainability. Through learning and research, she aims to develop and empower talents and leaders to bridge cultural differences and cultivate inclusive and compassionate communities.
Since 2005, as a seasoned learning and development professional, Ling Ling has designed, developed, and facilitated various initiatives and programmes in technology, travel and humanitarianism. Her learning programmes and initiatives travelled to audiences in 15 countries, and across four continents.
In 2017, she founded Culture Spark Global (CSG), a learning company focused on developing the intercultural and leadership skills of talents, leaders, and teams through in-person and virtual workshops in Malaysia and Singapore.
In 2022, Ling Ling received her Master of Psychology in Intercultural Relations from ISCTE-IUL, Portugal. Currently, she is pursuing a PhD in Psychology with the Centre for Social Research and Intervention (CIS) at ISCTE-IUL, an extension of her master's research.
In 2023, she started her PhD research, focusing on refugees' psychological and sociocultural adaptation in resettled and transit countries. The PhD project uses a participatory approach to generate new knowledge to inform researchers and practitioners in their refugee programmes and interventions.
She is also a member of the International Council of Psychologists (ICP) and the International Association for Cross-Cultural Psychology (IACCP). She has appeared in the media and given talks and workshops at conferences and conventions.