James Nicholson

James Nicholson is a Senior Lecturer in the School of Computer and Information Sciences at Northumbria University, specializing in human-centred cybersecurity research. His work bridges the gap between technical security systems and user experience, with a particular focus on making security more accessible and effective for diverse user groups including older adults, children, and organizational employees.

Dr. Nicholson holds a BSc in Information Systems from Newcastle University (2008), an MRes in Psychology from Northumbria University (2009), and completed his PhD in Psychology in 2012. His doctoral research explored user authentication in the context of older adults under the supervision of Professor Lynne Coventry and Professor Pam Briggs. He is a Fellow of the Higher Education Academy (FHEA).

His research interests center around usable authentication systems, social engineering defenses, and cybersecurity awareness across different demographics. Nicholson's work examines how to improve cybersecurity behaviors through embedding knowledgeable peers in communities, understanding user mental models of security threats, and developing practical tools to protect users against phishing and other social engineering attacks. His research spans multiple contexts including older adult communities, young people, organizational settings, and cross-cultural environments.

Analysis of his recent publications reveals a strong focus on community-based security approaches, with particular attention to older adults' cybersecurity needs and experiences. His work increasingly explores digital legacy management, post-mortem data access, and the security implications of emerging technologies like smart homes and generative AI. A consistent theme throughout his research is understanding how different user groups perceive and interact with security systems, and how these insights can inform the design of more effective security solutions.

Dr. Nicholson currently supervises PhD student Mayowa Tijani, whose research focuses on "Leveraging Artificial Intelligence for Combating Misinformation and Disinformation in Africa" (started March 2024). His previous research includes work on the Cybersecurity Across the Lifespan (cSALSA) project, Choice Architecture for Information Security (ChAISe), Digital Economy Research Centre (DERC), and the Horizon 2020 project CYBECO. Before joining Northumbria, he worked at Open Lab, Newcastle University on the TEDDI and SiDE projects.

Based in the Ellison Building (Room B113) at Northumbria University in Newcastle upon Tyne, Nicholson continues to advance research that makes cybersecurity more accessible and effective for diverse populations through human-centered design approaches.