Humans of Warwick - Yi Feng Khoo

Yi Feng Khoo

Postgraduate (taught) FT, Psychology

“It’s behind you. Oh no it isn’t, Oh yes, it is!”

“I love pantomimes! With their absurdity, ambiguity and ability, they’re absolutely delightful! Since coming to the UK from Singapore, I’ve been enamoured by the richness of talent. In less than a year, I’ve watched over 20 musicals and plays, including five pantos.

In a big part, I have the world-class Warwick Arts Centre to thank. As a volunteer steward, I was exposed to a wide variety of arts and culture. Volunteering for the ‘relaxed performances’ and seeing how the Centre and the performers prioritise inclusivity warms my heart.

Warwick has been my dream university since 2010, I always wanted to come here. Coming from a humble family, cost concerns restrained me from applying. 15 years on, my dream came true with the support of the Chevening Scholarship. Studying abroad makes a difference, adjusting from working adult to student. I learnt to live, even more independently than I already had been. From grocery shopping to doing the laundry and adapting to UK’s fickle weather, including the long winter.

My aspiration is to uplift community mental health in Southeast Asia through workplaces. This mission brought me to Warwick to link theory with practice and uncover best practices. The MSc in Mental Health and Wellbeing at the Department of Psychology exposed me to thought leaders through the 20+ TED-talk style lectures by different educators and live in the intersections of disciplines. My research placement connected me with the Working Well Community of practice leaders and see how theory is translated into action through frameworks and interventions.

And just like the steel dinosaurs behind me by Jake and Dinos Chapman, called ‘The Good and The Bad’. I now see ‘the good, the bad and the ugly’ clearer. As a Registered Social Worker and former public servant, I see and feel that keenly in individuals and systems. Taking a solution focused approach, I hope to identify and build on what’s strong, not just harp on what’s wrong, in workplaces. Just like how the dinosaurs are ‘clumsy but lovable,’ change can be strategic yet light-hearted.

Taking on social impact consulting projects with 180DC Warwick, Warwick Behavioural Insights Team and TeaMWork 2025, also showed me how doing good can be ‘clumsy but lovable.’ Working with students across different disciplines and nationalities, vastly improved my cultural intelligence and intercultural communication competencies. Most of all, Warwick widened my worldview and empowered me not to think and act small.

After all, our university motto ‘mens agitat molem’ – means mind moves matter. Thank you, Warwick.”