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Dr Haitao Shi is a Researcher affiliated with the School of Social and Political Science at the University of Edinburgh. His research focuses on criminal justice systems, drug policing in China, and the intersection of technology with crime. He employs advanced research methods including quantitative tools (R, Python, SPSS), qualitative software (Nvivo, MAXQDA), and data visualization techniques (Gephi, QGIS). His current projects include studying Chinese students' experiences at the University of Edinburgh and analyzing rhizomatic networks in online drug trade funded by the Polish Ministry of Science. Haitao's work emphasizes cross-cultural comparisons, particularly in drug trade dynamics across Finnish, Polish, and English-speaking contexts. He explores topics like police professionalization in China, guanxi networks, and quota-driven policing strategies. His methodologies span cloud computing (Azure, AWS), database systems (MySQL), and version control (Git), reflecting a technologically adept approach to criminology research. Notable research themes include the role of marketing in darknet drug trade, generational conflicts in police culture, and community-based drug rehabilitation policies. He collaborates with international teams and utilizes platforms like Microsoft Azure for large-scale data analysis.

• Criminal Justice
• Drug Policing
• Research Methods
• +3 more

Dr Maria Bada is a Lecturer in Cyberpsychology at the School of Biological and Behavioural Sciences, Queen Mary University of London. She is an active researcher in the field of cyberpsychology with a specific focus on the human element of cybersecurity. Dr Bada is also a member of the committee of the Artificial Intelligence, Ethics and Society Group at QMUL. Dr Bada's research spans multiple critical areas in cyberpsychology and cybersecurity. Her primary research interests include: The effectiveness of cybersecurity awareness campaigns and factors leading to their success or failure in changing information security behavior Development of prevention activities to enhance the resilience of Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) against cybercrime Cybersecurity awareness initiatives for school learners in South Africa and the UK Youth delinquency and interventions to prevent cybercrime, in collaboration with the National Crime Agency and Home Office Social and psychological impacts of cyber-attacks on vulnerable groups Exploration of the cybercrime ecosystem, including cybercriminal profiles, pathways, and risk perceptions Dr Bada's publication record demonstrates a consistent focus on the intersection of psychology and cybersecurity. Her recent work shows increasing specialization in SME cybersecurity challenges, ethical considerations in security behavior change, and the psychological impacts of cybercrime on individuals and organizations. She frequently collaborates with researchers from diverse disciplines including computer science, criminology, and healthcare, reflecting the interdisciplinary nature of her work. Dr Bada has secured significant research funding for her work, including: "Enhancing national cyber resilience via SME cyber security and digital responsibility" (£328,119 from EPSRC, 2023-2026) "REPHRAIN: Supporting organisations in making effective privacy related decisions" (£50,801 from EPSRC, 2022-2023) "Assessing Organisational DSbD Awareness and Readiness" (£15,554 from ESRC, 2022-2024) She works closely with research staff including Dr Matthew Rand and collaborates with various UK government agencies including the National Crime Agency and Home Office on cybercrime prevention initiatives.

• Cyberpsychology
• Cybersecurity
• Human-Computer Interaction
• +3 more

Emily Chiang is a researcher at Aston University’s Aston Institute for Forensic Linguistics , part of the Communication and Culture faculty. She holds a PhD (2019) and MA (2016) from Aston University, focusing on rhetorical move analysis in forensic contexts, and a BA from Oxford Brookes University (2009). Her work examines linguistic expressions of identity in online criminal spaces, including dark web communities and self-styled ‘paedophile-hunting’ groups. She employs tools like speech act theory to inform law enforcement strategies, with a focus on language variation over time. Education: PhD: Rhetorical Moves and Identity Performance in Online Child Sexual Abuse Interactions (Aston University, 2019) MA: Chatroom Groomers as Discourse Communities (Aston University, 2016) BA: Oxford Brookes University (2009) Research Interests: Chiang’s research bridges forensic linguistics and criminology. She analyzes how offenders and vigilante groups construct identity digitally, including dark web criminal communities, paedophile-hunting groups, and linguistic shifts in offender interactions. Her work aims to enhance undercover police practices through linguistic insights. Recent Trends in Publications: Her recent work emphasizes dark web offender identity dynamics, linguistic strategies in membership requests, and forensic applications of language stability analysis. She also critiques discourses in the seduction industry and vigilante group rhetoric. Awards and Grants: None explicitly listed. Labs/Teams: Active within the Aston Institute for Forensic Linguistics. Collaborations include researchers on child sexual abuse discourse and digital forensic analysis.

• Forensic Linguistics
• Online Criminal Behavior Analysis
• Dark Web Studies
• +3 more

Jessica Ringrose is a Professor of Sociology of Gender and Education at the UCL Institute of Education (IOE), part of University College London's Faculty of Education and Society. She co-directs the UCL Centre for Sociology of Education and Equity and leads the global Phematerialism.org network, focusing on feminist posthumanism and new materialism in education. Her research centers on gender equity, digital media's impact on youth, and technologically facilitated sexual violence. Notable projects include the Mayor of London’s 'Women We See' initiative, which addressed advertising diversity, and studies on cyberflashing influencing the UK Online Safety Bill. She has also explored youth experiences of online harassment during the pandemic. Ringrose holds a PhD from York University (Canada) and has advised UK governmental bodies, educational institutions, and NGOs on gender and digital safety. Her awards include the 2020 AERA Gender Equity Award. She advocates for inclusive education policies, digital literacy, and feminist methodologies to combat gender-based violence. Education: PhD in Sociology from York University, Canada Key Projects: Online Safety Bill advocacy (cyberflashing criminalization) 'Women We See' advertising diversity campaign AHRC-funded 'Postdigital Intimacies' research network Public Engagement: Regular media contributions to BBC, The New York Times, and The Guardian. Her work bridges academia and activism, emphasizing intersectional approaches to gender, sexuality, and digital justice.

• Gender Studies
• Digital Media Studies
• Education Policy
• +3 more

Dr. Abubakar Bello is a Senior Lecturer in Criminal Justice and Program Leader at Edge Hill University's School of Law, Policing, and Criminal Justice. Previously, he held roles at Western Sydney University, including Academic Program Advisor and Lecturer in Cyber Security and Behaviour. He holds a PhD in Cyber Criminology, an MBA in Business Law and Technology, and degrees in Computer Science. His research focuses on interdisciplinary approaches to cyber security risks, threat intelligence models, and behavioral aspects of cyber crime. Education: PhD (Cyber Criminology, Murdoch University), MBA (Business Law & Tech, Western Sydney University), MSc & BSc (Computer Science, University of Wolverhampton). Research Interests: Combating cyber crime through AI and machine learning, secure systems design, and behavioral cybersecurity. Key areas include ransomware defenses, social engineering, and cybersecurity frameworks for diverse populations. Grants & Projects: Awarded funding for initiatives such as 'Social Engineered Payment Diversion Fraud' (NSW Cyber Security Network), 'Brain-Inspired Algorithm for Network Anomaly Detection' (DST Group), and 'Cyber Security Awareness Framework' (ECR Grant). Awards: 'Award for Teaching and Learning Contributing to Public Good.' Active in professional networks like the International Centre on Racism and Centre for Applied Criminal Justice Research. Labs & Collaboration: Engages in cyber investigations, forensics, and community outreach through initiatives like Western Cyber Aid. Serves as a consultant for corporate espionage cases and a speaker on ransomware and AI in law enforcement.

• Cyber Security
• Cyber Crime
• Cyber Criminology
• +3 more

Dr. Petya Eckler is a Senior Lecturer in Journalism, Media and Communication at the University of Strathclyde, part of the Faculty of Humanities & Social Sciences. Her research focuses on health communication through social media, particularly examining how young people's body image and mental health are influenced by social media use. She leads the Working Group on Body Image and Eating Disorders, fostering collaboration between academics, clinicians, and advocacy groups. Dr. Eckler holds a PhD in Electronic Word of Mouth from the University of Missouri and has contributed to advisory groups like the Scottish Government’s Healthy Body Image Advisory Group. She has received awards including the Runner-up Prize for Outstanding Impact on Society (2020) and multiple Scottish Student Journalism Awards. Her work spans topics such as vaccination hesitancy, social media addiction, and crisis communication. She teaches courses in journalism, strategic communication, and media and health. Dr. Eckler actively engages in public outreach through media talks, TEDx presentations, and collaborative projects like the #HealthySocialMedia initiative. She supervises PhD students exploring themes like the 'ideal beach body,' influencer identity, and K-pop fandom dynamics. Key research projects include the Health Literacy in Crisis project (Newton Funds, 2017–2018) addressing gender-based violence among Syrian refugees. Her interdisciplinary collaborations extend to departments like Marketing and Psychology, reflecting her commitment to addressing complex societal issues through media and health studies.

• Health Communication
• Social Media
• Body Image
• +3 more

Helen Margetts is a Professor of Society and the Internet at the Oxford Internet Institute (University of Oxford) and a Professorial Fellow at Mansfield College. She specializes in digital technology's impact on governance, public policy, and political behavior. Her research bridges political science, computational social science, and policy analysis. Margetts leads the Public Policy Programme at the Alan Turing Institute, focusing on data science and AI applications in policy-making. Education: BSc in Mathematics, University of Bristol MSc in Politics and Public Policy, LSE (1990) PhD in Government, LSE (1996) Research Interests: Role of social media in collective action Ethical use of AI in government Policy implications of data science Electoral systems and political extremism Awards: Fellow of the British Academy (2019) OBE (2019) Friedrich Schiedel Prize (2018) W.J.Mckenzie Prize (2017) Advising & Grants: Supervised doctoral students including Thomas Vogl and Bertie Vidgen. Led major research initiatives like the Alan Turing Institute's Public Policy Programme involving 60 researchers across 10 universities. Labs/Teams: Director of the Public Policy Programme at the Alan Turing Institute, leading projects on hate speech, social information, and criminal justice AI applications.

• Digital Government
• Public Policy
• Computational Social Science
• +4 more

Nicholas Lord is Professor of Criminology at the University of Manchester's School of Social Sciences. He serves as Director of the Centre for Digital Trust and Society and Director of CrimRxiv. His research examines international corruption/fraud regulation, organization of serious financial crimes, and implementation of criminological analysis in fraud enforcement. Research interests span corporate bribery, food fraud, illicit finance, and comparative regulatory systems. His work connects criminological theory with practical enforcement challenges in financial crime. Recent publications explore AI-enabled fraud control, shell company misuse, sports corruption, and fisheries crime. Research consistently addresses how digitalization and globalization transform criminal enterprise and regulatory responses. Awards include the Criminology Book Prize (2015), RISCS Cyber Risk Prize (2022), and Young Career Award (2014). Current funded projects examine online shell company markets (SSHRC 2024-2027), fisheries crime in Norway (2021-2025), and FinTech crime prevention. He leads multiple research networks including the European Working Group on Organisational Crime and co-founded the European Food Crime Research Group.

• Corporate Corruption
• White-Collar Crime
• Financial Crimes
• +3 more

Professor Pamela Ugwudike is a Professor of Criminology at the University of Southampton, with expertise in AI ethics, algorithms in justice systems, and trustworthy AI. She holds fellowships from the Higher Education Academy and the Alan Turing Institute. Her research focuses on data-driven technologies in criminal justice, including predictive policing algorithms and social media analytics. Education includes an LLB (Hons), MA, and PhD. Current projects include the ESRC-funded ProTechThem2.0 (2021–2024), exploring AI ethics and sharenting risks. She co-edits the Criminology & Criminal Justice journal and serves on editorial boards for leading criminology journals. External roles include memberships in the ESRC Peer Review College, Ada Lovelace Institute's biometric data advisory group, and the Howard League for Penal Reform’s Research Advisory Group. Her research spans interdisciplinary AI ethics, with recent publications analyzing sharenting’s digital harms, algorithmic transparency in policing, and AI’s role in sentencing. Supervising three PhD students, she also advises on technology policy through roles like Hampshire Constabulary's Science and Technology Advisory Committee.

• AI Ethics
• Algorithms in Justice Systems
• Trustworthy and Responsible AI
• +3 more

Dr. Yongyu Zeng is a Lecturer in Criminology at the Law School, Lancaster University, within the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences (FASS). Her research focuses on white-collar crime, organized financial crimes (e.g., financial market abuse, money laundering, cyber fraud), and methodological approaches like crime script analysis and social network analysis. She has held research positions at Manchester Metropolitan University, NASDAQ, the Partnership for Conflict, Crime and Security Research (PaCCS), and the University of Manchester. Education: PhD in Criminology (university-funded, University of Manchester, 2020) MRes in Criminology (Distinction, University of Manchester) BA in Social Sciences (University of Manchester) Research Interests: Dr. Zeng examines the dynamics and organization of financial crimes, leveraging advanced analytical methods. Her work bridges theoretical criminology with practical crime prevention strategies, particularly in cybercrime and transnational contexts. Teaching: She instructs courses on crime data analysis, financial crime, organized crime, and illicit network analysis. Projects: Phase 1 of the Digital Identity and Life-Course Study (DIALCS) (2023) Affiliations: Member of the Security Lancaster (Policing) research group. Her work aligns with interdisciplinary efforts to address modern crime challenges.

• White-Collar Crime
• Organized Crime
• Financial Crime
• +5 more

Professor Fiona Measham holds the Chair in Criminology at the University of Liverpool since 2019. Her interdisciplinary research focuses on transgressive leisure, psychoactive substances, and harm reduction, with a particular emphasis on drug policy, nightlife cultures, and gender studies. She has pioneered community-based drug checking services through her role as founder of The Loop, a non-profit NGO operational in the UK and Australia since 2013. Her professional activities include membership in drug policy reform panels (Labour Party, Conservative Party), the ACMD Technical Committee, and Drug Science's Medical Psychedelics and Supervised Injecting Facilities Working Groups. Research interests span drug markets, substance use epidemiology, nightlife safety, and the intersection of gender with criminal justice systems. She has secured significant grants, including a £DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH & SOCIAL CARE (UK) project analyzing youth substance use trends (2021–2023). Teaching responsibilities include convening the SOCI 339 'Drugs, Crime & Society' module, emphasizing critical analysis of drug policy and health sciences. Key contributions include evaluating drug checking efficacy, analyzing festival drug use patterns, and addressing gender-based violence in nightlife settings. Her work bridges academic research with policy advocacy, evidenced by her involvement in UK drug strategy reviews, Scottish drug checking implementation studies, and global harm reduction initiatives.

• Criminology
• Public Health Policy
• Substance Use Research
• +5 more

Prof Julia Davidson serves as Executive Director of Research at the University of East London’s Institute for Connected Communities, focusing on cybercrime prevention, child protection, and online safety. Her work bridges criminology, psychology, and technology, addressing risks such as virtual reality exploitation, youth cybercrime, and data privacy violations. She has authored over 50 publications, including influential reports like the VIRRAC Toolkit Report and European Youth Cybercrime Study . Davidson collaborates with global organizations like Ofcom and the NSPCC to shape policies on child online protection and GDPR compliance. Her research emphasizes interdisciplinary approaches to safeguarding vulnerable populations through evidence-based strategies. Research Interests : Cybersecurity, child victimization, mental health, data privacy, and youth risk behaviors. Her studies often highlight intersectional challenges, such as how marginalized youth in Africa access healthcare or how online grooming intersects with mental well-being. Recent Trends : Recent articles analyze virtual reality risks, youth hacking motivations, and GDPR’s economic impact. Her work underscores the need for adaptive policies to address emerging digital threats while balancing corporate accountability and individual rights. Grants & Collaborations : Davidson leads projects funded by the European Commission and UK government, including the CC-DRIVER Policy Brief and Child Online Protection in Rwanda . She advises on global cybersecurity frameworks and has testified before parliamentary committees on digital safety. Labs & Teams : Her research is conducted through the Institute for Connected Communities, fostering partnerships with law enforcement, tech firms, and NGOs to translate academic findings into actionable solutions.

• Cybercrime Prevention
• Child Protection
• Online Safety
• +5 more

Jouni Kuha is a Professor of Social Statistics and MSc Social Statistics Programme Director at the London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE), Department of Statistics. His expertise lies in latent variable modeling, survey data analysis, measurement error, and missing data, with applications in social sciences. He collaborates on projects addressing education mobility, public attitudes toward policing, family support dynamics, and global medicine accessibility. He contributed to the UK General Election exit poll analysis and was elected a Fellow of the British Academy in 2021. Education: MSocSc (Statistics) from the University of Helsinki (1992), PhD (Social Statistics) from the University of Southampton (1996). Prior roles include postdoctoral research at Nuffield College, Oxford, and Assistant Professor at Pennsylvania State University. Teaching includes courses on applied regression analysis, multivariate analysis, and statistical modeling. Research interests span latent variable models, categorical data analysis, and methodological advancements in multilevel and latent class analysis. Recent work focuses on digital trace data biases, procedural justice in policing, and intergenerational welfare dynamics. His methodological contributions include R package implementations for multilevel latent class analysis. Scientific awards include Fellowship of the British Academy (2021). Key grants and collaborations involve cross-national studies on citizenship norms, crime victimization, and healthcare policy. He advises on statistical methodologies for social science applications and maintains active involvement in the LSE’s Department of Methodology.

• Social Statistics
• Latent Variable Modeling
• Survey Methodology
• +4 more

Sally Stares is a social psychologist and faculty member in the Department of Methodology at the London School of Economics (LSE). She specializes in survey methods, public opinion analysis, and public perceptions of new technologies. After nine years as a lecturer/senior lecturer at City, University of London, she returned to LSE, where she previously earned her MSc in Social Research Methods and PhD in Social Psychology. Her research focuses on science-technology-society interactions, particularly public attitudes toward self-driving vehicles, automated journalism, and criminal justice standards. Methodologically, Dr. Stares is an expert in survey design, latent variable models, and cross-national analysis. She has contributed to EU-funded projects on diversity-aware technology, global civil society metrics, and poverty typologies in Scotland. As an editorial board member of Public Understanding of Science , she emphasizes bridging gaps between scientific communities and the public. Her recent work explores audience reactions to automated media content and cross-national variations in automated vehicle acceptance. Publications span transportation policy, biotechnology ethics, and criminology, with a focus on empirical social science methodologies. She has advised organizations including the Social Mobility Commission and Mo Ibrahim Foundation on research design and implementation. Labs/Teams: Active in LSE's methodological research groups and collaborates with interdisciplinary teams on technology ethics and public engagement initiatives.

• Survey methods
• Public opinion analysis
• Public perceptions of science & technology
• +3 more

Ravinder Barn is Professor of Social Policy and Head of Department at the Department of Law and Criminology, Royal Holloway, University of London. She co-directs the Gender, Families and Children Research Cluster and serves as Fellow of the Academy of Social Sciences. Her work bridges social policy, sociology, social work, and criminology with policy-relevant research. Current affiliations: Royal Holloway, University of London Research clusters: Gender, Families and Children; Digital Organisation and Society Her research focuses on racial/ethnic and gender inequalities, particularly in child welfare, migrant family dynamics, and gender-based violence. She employs mixed-methods approaches and has secured funding from major UK and international organizations including ESRC, Joseph Rowntree Foundation, and European Union. Current projects address transracial adoption, early childhood education in Palestine, gender policing in India, and environmental impacts on child well-being in South Asia. Key collaborations include institutions across UK, Europe, India, Palestine, and South Africa. Recent articles examine REF2021 policy impacts, social media risks for youth, and justice access challenges for gender violence survivors in India. Scientific recognition includes: Reid Research Fund Award 2024 (£1,500) 2024 collaborative prize with international colleagues As principal investigator, she has secured grants from: Economic and Social Research Council Joseph Rowntree Foundation Social Tech Trust European Union Framework Programmes Her supervised PhD students now hold academic positions at institutions including University of Surrey, Brunel University, and Appalachian State University. She welcomes new PhD applicants in related fields.

• Social Policy
• Criminology
• Racial and Ethnic Inequalities
• +7 more