Department of Psychology and Educational Sciences
Head of the Department
Naira Rafik Hakobyan
Doctor of Psychological Sciences, Professor
The Department of Psychology of the International Scientific-Educational Center of the National Academy of Sciences of the Republic of Armenia (ISEC NAS RA) was founded in 2007. In 2026, as a result of the merger of the Departments of Psychology and Pedagogy, the new Department of Psychology and Educational Sciences was formed.
The main goal of the department's activity is to ensure high-quality professional education in the fields of psychology and educational sciences, to promote the development of research activities and the training of scientific personnel, as well as to strengthen the interconnection between science, education, and professional practice.
The Department of Psychology of the International Scientific-Educational Center of the National Academy of Sciences of the Republic of Armenia (ISEC NAS RA) was founded in 2007. In 2026, as a result of the merger of the Departments of Psychology and Pedagogy, the new Department of Psychology and Educational Sciences was formed.
The main goal of the department's activity is to ensure high-quality professional education in the fields of psychology and educational sciences, to promote the development of research activities and the training of scientific personnel, as well as to strengthen the interconnection between science, education, and professional practice.
Key Objectives of the Department:
- Delivering professional education in psychology through specializations in "Clinical Psychology and Psychotherapy" and "Social and Political Psychology," as well as in educational sciences through "Educational Management" and "Social Pedagogy," ensuring the development of theoretical knowledge, practical skills, and professional competencies.
- Developing and improving educational programs in line with modern scientific achievements in psychology and educational sciences, requirements of professional practice, and international educational standards.
- Advancing research activities in clinical psychology, psychotherapy, social and political psychology, educational management, and social pedagogy by fostering the study of contemporary issues, interdisciplinary research, and the application of scientific outcomes.
- Promoting postgraduate scientific education and training of research personnel in "Social Psychology" within the framework of third-level higher education (PhD level) by supporting research organization, qualifying examinations, selection and approval of dissertation topics, and degree candidacy processes in accordance with established procedures.
- Developing professional and research capacities to foster skills in clinical psychological assessment and support, psychotherapeutic practice, analysis of socio-psychological and political processes, as well as management and development of educational institutions.
- Expanding scientific-educational and international cooperation by enhancing linkages with scientific institutions, universities, and professional organizations, promoting joint research, scientific publications, and conference organization.
- Ensuring professional ethics and continuous development by training specialists and researchers who apply evidence-based, responsible, and innovative approaches.
- Overall mission: Preparing highly qualified specialists and research personnel, building the research potential of psychological and educational sciences, and ensuring the application of scientific results across various domains of professional practice and societal development.
Specializations:
- Social and Political Psychology
- Clinical Psychology and Psychotherapy
- Educational Management
- Social Pedagogy
Research Work
One of the key areas of activity of the Department of Psychology and Educational Sciences is conducting research aimed at studying contemporary problems of psychology and educational sciences, advancing scientific knowledge, strengthening research potential, and applying the results in professional and public practice.
An important indicator of the department's scientific output is the volume and diversity of its publications. Over the years, the department's faculty has published 12 monographs, 11 educational-methodological manuals, and over 230 scientific articles in various journals, including papers indexed in international databases such as Scopus and Web of Science.
A crucial component of the department's research work is executing grant-funded competitive research projects. Within the past five years alone, two research projects funded by the Higher Education and Science Committee of the Ministry of Education, Science, Culture and Sports of the Republic of Armenia have been conducted at the department:
- Grant Code 21T-5A311: "The Problem of Personal Value System Crisis and Anomie in the Post-War Period and Methodology for Overcoming It." The project explores the crisis of individual value systems and psychological anomie in post-war periods, their manifestations, and potential methodologies for resolution.
- Grant Code 25RG-5A025: "The Concept of Subjective Well-being and Social Stability in the Context of Overcoming Psychological Anomie." (Ongoing). This study focuses on examining the interplay between subjective well-being and social stability in the context of overcoming psychological anomie.
These research projects highlight the relevance of the department’s scientific agenda, focusing on psychological states, value shifts, social stability, and well-being amid societal transformations, thereby contributing to evidence-based interventions and practical implementations.
Organizing scientific communication and publishing activities plays a significant role in the department's development. Head of Department Naira Hakobyan has served as Editor-in-Chief of the scientific journal Katchar (published by ISEC NAS RA) since 2014. Faculty members actively participate in international conferences and scientific events, sharing research findings, exchanging expertise, and broadening international collaboration.
Training scientific personnel remains a core priority. Throughout the department's history, applicants have successfully defended 8 PhD dissertations (Candidate of Sciences), while staff members have defended 2 Doctoral dissertations (Doctor of Sciences).
The department holds official authorization to run PhD level programs in Social Psychology, conduct qualifying examinations, and approve dissertation topics, ensuring systematic training and continuous regeneration of academic capacity in social psychology.
The practical application of research is facilitated through the department’s "Psychological Observatory." The observatory addresses psychological issues in various social spheres, conducts professional discussions and training sessions, and provides psychological services, bridging theory and practice.
An essential component of the department's scientific, educational, and social mission is the "Support" (Ajaktsutyun) Volunteer Club run by Master’s students in psychology. Club members provide assistance to individuals experiencing psychological and social difficulties and vulnerable groups, visit orphanages and nursing homes, and collaborate with social institutions such as "Our Home," "Child Protection," "Support to Persons with Disabilities," and others.
Future prospects for the department’s research focus on expanding international scientific partnerships, boosting publications in Scopus and Web of Science indexed journals, advancing interdisciplinary research, and maximizing the practical impact of academic findings across clinical psychology, psychotherapy, social and political psychology, and educational management.
DEPARTMENT STAFF BY SPECIALIZATION
PSYCHOLOGY
| Naira Hakobyan |
Doctor of Psychological Sciences, Professor |
| Asya Berberyan | Doctor of Psychological Sciences, Professor |
| Vazgen Poghosyan | PhD in Psychology, Associate Professor |
| Mariam Mehrabyan | PhD in Psychology, Associate Professor |
| Marianna Avetisyan | PhD in Psychology, Associate Professor |
| Anzhelika Ayvazyan | PhD in Psychology, Associate Professor |
| Gor Yesayan | PhD in Psychology, Associate Professor |
| Armine Muradyan | PhD in Psychology, Associate Professor |
| Anna Khachatryan | PhD in Psychology, Associate Professor |
| Marianna Avetisyan | PhD in Psychology, Associate Professor |
| Hasmik Harutyunyan | PhD in Psychology, Associate Professor |
| Rafik Petrosyan | PhD in Psychology |
| Tatevik Vatyan | PhD in Psychology |
| Lilit Khachatryan | PhD in Psychology |
| Zhozefina Yesayan | Lecturer, PhD Student |
| Manana Yenokyan | Lecturer, PhD Student |
| Marine Ayvazyan | Lecturer, PhD Student |
EDUCATIONAL MANAGEMENT
SOCIAL PEDAGOGY
| Hayk Petrosyan | Doctor of Pedagogical Sciences, Professor |
| Armen Sahakyan | Doctor of Sociological Sciences, Professor |
| Armen Sargsyan | PhD in Economics, Associate Professor |
| Atom Mkhitaryan | PhD in Phys.-Math. Sciences, Associate Professor of Pedagogy |
| Siranush Karapetyan | PhD in Pedagogical Sciences, Associate Professor |
| Vahan Meliksetyan | PhD in Pedagogical Sciences, Associate Professor |
| Karine Papikyan | PhD in Pedagogical Sciences, Associate Professor |
| Narine Vardanyan | PhD in Philological Sciences, Associate Professor |
| Astghik Avetisyan | PhD in Philological Sciences, Associate Professor |
| Tamara Tovmasyan | Lecturer |
Naira Sldoyan — Department Coordinator
Tel.: (+374 60) 623520 /303/
E-mail: naira.hakobyan@isec.am