Dr Maria Bada

Maria Bada

Lecturer in Cyberpsychology

School of Biological and Behavioural Sciences
Queen Mary University of London
www.qmul.ac.uk/sbbs/staff/maria-bada.html
Centre for Brain and Behaviour
ORCID LinkedIn X

Research

Online behaviour, Cyberpsychology, Cybercrime, Cybersecurity

Interests

I am a member of the committee of the Artificial Intelligence, Ethics and Society Group at QMUL.

My research focuses on the human element of cybersecurity and human-computer interaction. I am conducting research on the effectiveness of cybersecurity awareness campaigns trying to identify factors which potentially lead to failure of these in changing the information security behaviour of consumers and employees. The development of effective prevention activities to enhance the resilience of SMEs in cybercrime is another topic I am also exploring.

Within the area of human-computer interaction and behaviour change, my research focused on the needs of schools and the challenges that children face online, with the aim to develop effective cybersecurity awareness initiatives for school learners in South Africa and the UK. I have also explored youth delinquency in collaboration with the National Crime Agency and the Home Office, in assessing the interventions designed to prevent cybercrime as part of the Prevent objectives of the Serious and Organised Crime Strategy.

I also research the different types of harms for various vulnerable groups and their interdependencies, aimed to identify areas requiring further investment and policy making at national/local level. Within this area I explore the social and psychological impact of cyber-attacks and the aspects such as widespread anxiety and the social disruption caused to people’s daily lives. I am also exploring the cybercrime ecosystem, studying the profiles, pathways and risk perceptions of cybercriminals and how they form their groups.