Find Academic Supervisors

Mariarosaria TaddeoView profile

Professor

• Digital Ethics
• Philosophy of Technology
• Cybersecurity
• +9 more

Mariarosaria Taddeo is Professor of Digital Ethics and Defence Technologies at the Oxford Internet Institute (University of Oxford) , where she also serves as DPhil Programme Director for Information, Communication and the Social Sciences. She is a Senior Research Fellow at the Alan Turing Institute and holds advisory roles at institutions including the Ministry of Defence (UK) Ethics Advisory Panel , the BRAID Programme , and the Leonardo Foundation . Education PhD (Doctor Europeus) in Philosophy from University of Padua Mariarosaria Taddeo’s research spans Digital Ethics, Philosophy of Technology, Cybersecurity Ethics, and AI Governance , with a focus on national defence applications. Her work addresses trust in AI , cyber conflict regulation , and ethical frameworks for autonomous weapons . She has published extensively in journals like Nature , Science , and Minds and Machines , including studies on data philanthropy , digital well-being , and quantum technology ethics . Scientific Awards 2010 Simon Award for Outstanding Research in Computing and Philosophy 2016 World Technology Award for Ethics 2018 InspiringFifty: Top 50 Italian women in technology ORBIT listings (2018, 2020) of top 100 women in AI Ethics 2020 Women’s Forum for Economy and Society: Outstanding Rising Talents ComputerWeekly Top 100 Influential Women in UK Technology (2020, 2023) Her projects include the UK MOD-funded AI Ethics Principles initiative, the NATO Cooperative Cyber Defence Centre of Excellence ethical guidance project, and contributions to the PETRAS IoT Research Hub . She advocates for ethical AI implementation in defence and digital governance, influencing EU policy through the CEPS Task Force on AI and Cybersecurity .

Kevin LimonierView profile

Lecturer

• Geopolitics
• Digital Ethnography
• Open Source Intelligence (OSINT)
• +6 more

Kevin Limonier is a lecturer in geography and Slavic studies at the French Institute of Geopolitics (Paris 8 University) and deputy director of GEODE, a Center of Excellence selected by France's Ministry of the Armed Forces. His research focuses on the geopolitics of Russian-speaking cyberspace, digital sovereignty, and open-source intelligence (OSINT), with particular relevance to the Ukraine conflict and Russian information warfare. His work bridges digital and physical spaces, challenging traditional notions of cyberspace by proposing the datasphere as a tangible layer of reality. He has developed tools for tracking information dissemination on social networks and analyzing Russian strategies of influence, including fake news and support for political figures like Marine Le Pen. Expertise : Digital ethnography, cybersecurity, Russian strategic studies Key Contributions : Co-editor of Hérodote issue 186 on OSINT, fieldwork in Dubna (Russia) on nuclear cities and hacker communities His articles highlight trends in cyber geopolitics , Ukraine war analysis , digital sovereignty , and Russian influence operations , particularly in Africa and Europe.

Reza MontasariView profile

Senior Lecturer

• Digital Forensics
• Cyber Security
• Cyber Threats
• +7 more

Dr. Reza Montasari is a Senior Lecturer in Cyber Threats at Swansea University's Hillary Rodham Clinton School of Law. He holds a BSc in Multimedia Computing and MSc in Computer Forensics from the University of South Wales, and a PhD in Digital Forensics from the University of Derby. His professional memberships include Fellow of the Higher Education Academy (FHEA) and Chartered Engineer (CEng). Montasari’s research focuses on Digital Forensics, Cyber Security, and Cyber Terrorism, with over 50 publications. He has authored/co-authored books like Cyberspace, Cyberterrorism and International Security (2024) and Countering Cyberterrorism (2023). His work bridges technical and legal aspects of cyber threats, addressing AI’s role in counterterrorism and national security. He has held roles such as External Examiner at the University of South Wales and leadership positions in cybersecurity initiatives. His expertise includes IoT forensics, dark web challenges, and digital policing strategies. Montasari also collaborates with law enforcement agencies like Cheshire Police and advises media on cybersecurity issues. Key contributions include editorial board memberships, conference presentations (e.g., ICGS3), and contributions to cybersecurity policy development. His research emphasizes ethical AI applications, privacy rights, and mitigating cyber threats in modern societies.

Toby DaviesView profile

Associate Professor

• Crime Science
• Urban Analytics
• Spatial Analysis
• +6 more

Toby Davies is an Associate Professor in Criminal Justice Data Analytics at the University of Leeds, School of Law. His work focuses on quantitative criminology, spatial analysis, and computational methods to inform crime prevention. He holds a Mathematics degree from the University of Oxford (2008) and a PhD from University College London (UCL), followed by postdoctoral research on the EPSRC-funded Crime, Policing and Citizenship project. Before joining Leeds in 2023, he was at UCL’s Department of Security & Crime Science. His research spans interdisciplinary topics including urban form and crime, crime modeling, social networks, and cybercrime. He has collaborated with police agencies (West Yorkshire, Thames Valley, West Midlands Police) and governmental bodies (UK Home Office, London Mayor’s Office). A strong advocate for Open Science, he co-founded JDI Open to promote open practices in crime science. His recent work emphasizes policy interventions like phasing out pointed kitchen knives to reduce knife crime, leveraging data-driven approaches. He publishes widely in criminology, physics, network science, and general science journals, and has guest-edited special issues. His applied research aims to bridge theory and practice, developing tools deployed operationally in policing. Current interests include financial crime dynamics, social contagion of crime, and street network configurations’ impact on crime patterns.

Jeff BardaView profile

Senior Lecturer

• Poetics
• Contemporary French Poetry
• Sound Arts
• +6 more

Jeff Barda serves as Senior Lecturer in French Cultural Studies at the University of Manchester, joining in 2020 after a Junior Research Fellowship at Cambridge's Murray Edwards College. Awarded the Manchester Humanities Outstanding Teaching Award in 2020 and promoted to Senior Lecturer in 2023, he maintains active international affiliations including visiting positions at Bordeaux-Montaigne University and London's Institute of Languages, Cultures & Societies in 2024. His research centers on contemporary French poetic practice with emphasis on digital poetics, sound arts, and avant-garde traditions. Key interests include the intersection of media and literature, lettrism, and data-driven creative processes, reflected in his extensive publications on figures like Pierre Alferi and Christophe Tarkos. His second monograph Data Poetics: Contemporary French Poetic Practice in the Age of Digital Overload is under contract with Liverpool University Press. Dr Barda's scholarly impact is evidenced by the 2021 Literary Encyclopedia Book Prize for his first monograph Experimentation and the Lyric in Contemporary French Poetry . His recent publications demonstrate evolving focus from historical avant-gardes to contemporary digital poetics, with increasing attention to OSINT methodologies and cross-disciplinary practices like sports-literature intersections. Manchester Humanities Outstanding Teaching Award (2020) Literary Encyclopedia Book Prize (2021) As an active supervisor welcoming PhD inquiries, Dr Barda contributes to multiple research networks including Marge (Lyon), the European Neo-Avant-Garde Network (Ghent), and 'After Social Networks' (Paris). His teaching excellence complements substantial grant activity supporting international collaborations, particularly in digital humanities initiatives exploring poetic practice in public spheres. His research infrastructure includes affiliations with three major transnational networks examining contemporary creation, with recent projects focusing on image manipulation in poetry and OSINT applications in literary analysis.

• Knowledge Management
• Cyber Security
• Terrorism Research
• +5 more

Babak Akhgar serves as Professor of Informatics and Director of CENTRIC (Centre of Excellence in Terrorism, Resilience, Intelligence and Organised Crime Research) at Sheffield Hallam University's College of Business, Technology and Engineering, with additional affiliation to the Culture and Creativity Research Institute. Recognized as a Fellow of the British Computer Society (FBCS), he maintains active leadership in security informatics research and education. His academic foundation includes a Software Engineering degree from Sheffield Hallam University, complemented by a Master's degree with distinction in Information Systems in Management and a PhD in Information Systems. This academic trajectory followed substantial industry experience as a Strategy Analyst and Methodology Director for multiple organizations. Professor Akhgar's research program bridges theoretical knowledge management with practical security applications, focusing on cyber security, counter-terrorism, intelligence frameworks, and big data analytics for national security. His scholarly output demonstrates consistent evolution from foundational knowledge management systems toward contemporary security challenges including cryptocurrency tracing, AI accountability in law enforcement, and smart city security frameworks. Recent work shows particular emphasis on ethical considerations, citizen acceptance of security technologies, and practical implementation of security solutions. Fellow of the British Computer Society (FBCS) Co-editor of influential security publications including 'Intelligence Management: Knowledge Driven Frameworks for Combating Terrorism and Organised Crime' Member of editorial boards for three international journals Chair and program committee member for numerous international security conferences As a doctoral supervisor, Professor Akhgar has guided research on cyber situational awareness, digital music ontology, and e-government services. His leadership extends to major EU-funded security initiatives including the MIICT project for migrant integration and development of the AP4AI accountability framework for artificial intelligence in security contexts. Through CENTRIC, he directs a research ecosystem that connects academic inquiry with real-world security challenges while addressing ethical, legal, and societal implications of security technologies.

Sina PournouriView profile

Lecturer

• Cyber Security
• Information Security Management
• Data Mining

Dr. Sina Pournouri is a Lecturer in Cyber Security at Sheffield Hallam University, having joined in 2019. His research explores cybersecurity, information security management, and data mining. Recent publications focus on threat prediction during the COVID-19 pandemic, vulnerability assessments of drone systems, space governance frameworks, and automated penetration testing using AI. His scholarly work demonstrates consistent focus on cybersecurity analytics, with articles applying classification techniques for attacker profiling and malware prediction. Research spans both technical security mechanisms and policy implications, particularly in crisis contexts.

Stavros ShiaelesView profile

Associate Professor

• Cyber Security
• Malware Analysis
• Anomaly Detection
• +13 more

Dr. Stavros Shiaeles is an Associate Professor in Cybersecurity at the Faculty of Technology , University of Portsmouth, and Co-Director of the Portsmouth AI and Data Science Centre (PAIDS) . With over 130 publications and 3000+ citations, he specializes in cybersecurity, applied AI, and threat mitigation frameworks. Academic Qualifications : PhD in Electrical and Computer Engineering (Democritus University of Thrace, 2013), MEng in Electrical and Computer Engineering (Democritus University of Thrace, 2007), MBA in Human Resource Management (University of Plymouth, 2016), and PG Cert in Academic Practice (University of Plymouth, 2017). Research Interests span cybersecurity, malware detection, blockchain, 6G networks, AI/ML applications, digital forensics, and post-quantum cryptography. His work addresses threats in IoT, financial systems, and critical infrastructure while exploring SDG4 (Quality Education) through cybersecurity training. Recent publications emphasize AI-driven anomaly detection (e.g., ransomware behavior analysis, 6G traffic monitoring), deepfake forensics, synthetic image attribution, and hybrid blockchain/AI security architectures. He also curates datasets for malware analysis and synthetic media classification. Scientific Awards : IEEE SMC TCHS Outstanding Service Award (2021). Grant Funding : Over €18M secured in EU Horizon 2020 grants, including €8M as Principal Investigator for the ongoing XTRUST-6G project. Active in KTPs, consulting, and research commercialization opportunities.

Ollie BallingerView profile

Lecturer

• Geocomputation
• Remote Sensing
• Conflict Analysis
• +4 more

Dr. Ollie Ballinger is a Lecturer (Teaching) in Geocomputation at the Centre for Advanced Spatial Analysis (CASA), University College London. His research focuses on leveraging computational methods and satellite imagery for conflict analysis, environmental monitoring, and humanitarian applications. He holds a PhD from the Oxford Department of International Development, where his work explored computational approaches to insurgent recruitment dynamics in Turkey. Education: PhD in International Development from the University of Oxford (focused on computational conflict analysis) Research Interests: Dr. Ballinger's work spans geospatial analysis, remote sensing, and open-source intelligence (OSINT). He develops novel algorithms for detecting conflict-related damage (e.g., pixel-wise T-test for SAR imagery), tracks illicit activities like ship-to-ship transfers and illegal mining, and creates tools for humanitarian and environmental accountability. His projects often involve collaboration with organizations like Bellingcat and the Alan Turing Institute. Key Projects: Pixel-Wise T-Test (PWTT) algorithm for open-access battle damage detection Analysis of ship-to-ship transfers in maritime trade Monitoring illegal rare earth mining in Myanmar Radar interference tracking for military surveillance systems Tools & Contributions: Developed Python libraries for image processing and network analysis Principal Investigator for projects with Global Witness and the Alan Turing Institute Contributor to Bellingcat's investigative reporting on conflict pollution and environmental crimes Grants & Collaborations: Collaborations include work with the United Nations Satellite Centre (UNOSAT) for damage assessments and partnerships with NGOs like Global Witness for environmental monitoring projects. His research is supported by grants focused on computational methods for humanitarian and environmental applications. Labs & Teams: Active within the Centre for Advanced Spatial Analysis (CASA) at UCL, where he contributes to interdisciplinary geospatial research initiatives.

Pierluigi PerriView profile

Professor

• Privacy and Data Protection
• Data Governance
• Information Security
• +4 more

Pierluigi Perri is a Professor of Advanced Computer Law at the University of Milan's Law School and Vice Coordinator of the Information Society Law Center (ISLC). He is also an Affiliate Fellow at Yale Law School and has held roles such as Non-residential Fellow at Stanford Law School’s Center for Internet and Society and Visiting Researcher at Microsoft. His expertise spans privacy law, data governance, cybersecurity, computer crimes, and digital forensics. Perri holds a PhD in Legal Informatics and IT Law from the University of Bologna and a specialization in Legal Informatics and New Technologies Law. Education: PhD in Legal Informatics and IT Law, University of Bologna Specialization in Legal Informatics and New Technologies Law His research focuses on balancing technological advancements with legal safeguards, including data protection compliance, AI ethics, and cybersecurity legislation. Recent work addresses AI-driven hate speech detection, algorithmic transparency, and the ethical use of open-source intelligence (OSINT). Perri has authored two books on data protection and IT law, alongside numerous scientific publications. Perri’s articles analyze legal frameworks for digital crimes, surveillance ethics, and privacy challenges in emerging technologies. His affiliations include leadership roles in interdisciplinary legal-tech initiatives aimed at addressing global cybersecurity and privacy dilemmas. No scientific awards or grants are explicitly mentioned. He is affiliated with the ISLC, fostering collaboration between legal, technical, and policy experts to tackle digital society challenges.

Matthew MoranView profile

Professor

• International Security
• Conflict Studies
• Weapons of Mass Destruction (WMD)
• +7 more

Matthew Moran is a Professor of International Security and Head of the Department of War Studies at King’s College London. He leads one of the university's largest departments, overseeing strategic direction and daily operations. Previously held roles include Director of Research in War Studies and Co-Director of the Centre for Science and Security Studies. Education: Undergraduate and Master’s degrees from the University of Galway; PhD from University College London. His research is supported by prestigious organizations including the British Academy, ESRC, Carnegie Corporation, and MacArthur Foundation. Research focuses on: social/political drivers of security events, WMD politics, coercive diplomacy, and open-source intelligence. Key projects include the Centre for Science and Security Studies, Nuclear Security Culture Programme, and Conflict Records Unit. Publications include eight books such as forthcoming Oxford U.P. study on Syrian chemical weapons and Palgrave titles on nuclear verification and open-source intelligence. Over 30 academic articles published in journals like Security Studies and International Affairs . Engagement: Advises governments and international organizations on security policy. Collaborates with foreign ministries through executive education programs. Media contributions include BBC News, The Guardian, and France24. Labs/Initiatives: Co-director of the Centre for Science and Security Studies (CSSS). Active in King's Cybersecurity Centre (EPSRC-NCSC Academic Excellence Centre) and the Conflict Records Unit. Leads Nuclear Security Culture Programme working with global partners.

Paul BradshawView profile

Associate Professor

• Data Journalism
• Investigative Journalism
• Online Journalism
• +6 more

Paul Bradshaw is an Associate Professor at Birmingham City University, leading the MA in Data Journalism program while serving as a consultant data journalist for the BBC England data unit. He founded the pioneering crowdsourcing platform Help Me Investigate, which pioneered collaborative investigative techniques in journalism. His research focuses on data journalism , digital news production , and investigative innovation , with emphasis on data visualization, source protection, and mobile-first storytelling. Bradshaw's work bridges academic theory and industry practice, developing frameworks like the 'Model for the 21st Century Newsroom' adopted globally for newsroom operations and journalism education. Analysis of his recent publications reveals critical trends in ethical data communication during crises (e.g., pandemic uncertainty reporting), evolving security challenges for journalists post-Snowden, and the integration of social media into core news production workflows. His scholarship consistently addresses the practical implementation of data-driven techniques across diverse media environments. Awards and Recognition Shortlisted for Multimedia Publisher of the Year (2010) Talk About Local Investigation of the Year Award (2010) CNN MultiChoice African Journalist Award for Nigerian football agents investigation (2016) BBC England Data Journalism Award for housing discrimination reporting (2017) Bradshaw mentors students through the MA in Data Journalism program while providing consultancy to major media organizations including Sky, Trinity Mirror, The Telegraph, and the Balkan Investigative Reporters Network. His training programs focus on practical implementation of data scraping, social media analysis, and investigative techniques for newsrooms worldwide. He leads the Help Me Investigate platform as a living laboratory for crowdsourced journalism and collaborates with the BBC England data unit on high-impact investigations. His current work explores the intersection of AI tools, ethical data practices, and evolving business models in digital journalism.

Riza Theresa Batista-NavarroView profile

Senior Lecturer

• Natural Language Processing
• Text Mining
• Computational Linguistics
• +2 more

Riza Theresa Batista-Navarro is Senior Lecturer in Text Mining at the University of Manchester's Department of Computer Science, specializing in natural language processing and computational linguistics. Her research examines: Explainable AI for text classification and fact-checking Clinical text mining for healthcare applications Human rights investigation using OSINT Bias detection in parliamentary debates As Principal Investigator for the ESRC project The future of human rights investigation: Using open source intelligence to transform documentation of human rights violations , she develops NLP tools for social good. Recent publications analyze transformer-based explanation generation and clinical entity recognition. She contributes to cross-disciplinary initiatives including the Centre for Robotics and Artificial Intelligence, developing methods for misinformation analysis in digital discourse.

• Cyber Security
• Digital Forensics
• Biometric Authentication
• +7 more

Fudong Li is a Professor and Principal Academic in Cyber Security at Bournemouth University, leading the Cyber Security pathway for multiple undergraduate programs and serving as Programme Leader for BSc Forensic Computing and Security. His expertise spans over 15 years in teaching and research, focusing on digital forensics, biometric authentication, ethical hacking, and network security. He holds certifications such as EC-Council’s CHFI, CEH, and Cisco’s CCNA. Fudong has supervised 12 completed PhD students and authored over 60 publications in journals and conferences. His research interests include wearable computing for authentication, blockchain security, privacy-preserving technologies, and cloud storage verification. Notable work includes studies on Ethereum’s consensus mechanism transition and smartwatch-based continuous authentication systems. He has led the FORESIGHT grant (2019) for advanced cyber-security simulation platforms and serves as an external examiner for multiple UK universities. Fudong’s contributions align with UN SDGs for Quality Education and Gender Equality through cybersecurity education initiatives and inclusive technology design. His advisory roles include overseeing 13+ PhD candidates and collaborating on grants addressing cybersecurity challenges in aviation, power grids, and naval systems. He also leads external engagement activities, including visiting lectureships and international examiner roles.

Philip BaxterView profile

Professor

• Nuclear Weapons and Proliferation
• Geopolitics
• International Security
• +3 more

Philip Baxter is a Professor in the Department of Intelligence Analysis at James Madison University. His research bridges nuclear security, geopolitics, and data analytics, focusing on emerging threats at the intersection of technology and international stability. He teaches courses on nuclear proliferation, open-source intelligence (OSINT), and national security frameworks. Education: B.A. in Political Science and History, Grove City College M.P.P. in Public Policy, George Mason University Ph.D. in International Affairs, Science, and Technology (with Nuclear Engineering minor), Georgia Institute of Technology Research Focus: Nuclear weapons modernization and proliferation Intangible technology transfer networks Data analytics for security risk modeling Social network analysis of geopolitical actors Affiliations: International Studies Association (ISA) American Political Science Association (APSA) International Network for Social Network Analysis (INSNA) Advisory Board, Rowman & Littlefield Book Series on WMD