Stefano De Paoli

Stefano De Paoli is a Professor of Digital Society at Abertay University's Department of Sociological and Psychological Sciences. His research focuses on the intersection of digital technologies and societal structures, with a particular emphasis on cybersecurity, open science, and qualitative research methodologies. He has published extensively on topics such as penetration testing, large language models in thematic analysis, and collaborative reputation systems. His work bridges theoretical frameworks with empirical studies, often employing participatory design and ethnographic approaches. Recent contributions include exploring the ethical implications of AI-driven research methods and the evolution of cybercrime studies.

Key areas of investigation include:

• Information security practices in organizations
• Impact of AI on qualitative research methodologies
• Open science platforms and their evaluation metrics
• Social innovation and digital collaboration frameworks

His research outputs reflect a commitment to interdisciplinary approaches, often combining insights from sociology, computer science, and policy studies. Notably, he has led projects on cybersecurity challenges faced by law enforcement and the design of equitable crowdfunding mechanisms for humanities research.