Niklas Torstensson

Niklas Torstensson is a Senior Lecturer in Cognitive Science at the Department of Information Technology, School of Informatics, University of Skövde. His research focuses on interaction and communication patterns between humans and between humans and technology. He maintains active membership in the GAME Research Group and iLab (Interaction Lab), contributing to interdisciplinary work at the intersection of cognitive science, game design, and human-computer interaction.

His primary research interests include cognitive aspects of human-computer interaction, game-based interventions for education and safety, computational linguistics, and applied linguistics. Torstensson has developed significant expertise in designing games to increase children's awareness of online risks, particularly related to sexual grooming. His work bridges theoretical cognitive science with practical applications for child protection in digital environments.

Analyzing his publication history reveals a clear trajectory from foundational linguistic research in the early 2000s toward increasingly applied game-based interventions for child safety. His recent work demonstrates sophisticated integration of cognitive science principles with game design to address serious societal issues, particularly online safety for children. The KidCOG project represents the culmination of this evolution, combining his expertise in linguistics, cognition, and game design to create educational interventions.

Torstensson serves as course coordinator for multiple bachelor's level courses and leads the KidCOG research project, which secured 3 million SEK in funding from the Sten A Olsson Foundation. This project investigates sexual grooming processes and children's social media usage to develop preventive strategies through computer games. His grant acquisition demonstrates both the significance of his research focus and his ability to secure substantial external funding.

Within the GAME Research Group and iLab (Interaction Lab), Torstensson contributes to collaborative projects examining how digital technologies shape human interaction and cognition. His work with these research groups emphasizes practical applications of cognitive science principles, particularly in developing interventions that protect vulnerable populations while maintaining engaging user experiences.