Artificial Intelligence, Human Behaviour and Cybercrime: Understanding Vulnerability and Prevention
Supervisor :
27th January 2027
Queen Mary University of London has partnered with the China Scholarship Council (CSC) to offer a joint scholarship programme to enable Chinese students to study for a PhD programme at Queen Mary. Under the scheme, Queen Mary will provide scholarships to cover all tuition fees, whilst the CSC will provide living expenses and one return flight ticket to successful applicants.
Applicants must:
- Be applying for CSC funding.
- Be a citizen and permanent resident of the People’s Republic of China and hold a Chinese passport.
- Satisfy all eligibility criteria set out by the CSC and must refer to the CSC website for full details.
- Apply to QMUL by 27th January 2027. Late applications will not be considered.
- Submit ALL required documentation, including evidence of their English Language ability ahead of the CSC application deadline.
CSC application rules differ slightly for domestic applicants (students applying from China) and overseas applicants (students applying from overseas). Therefore, ALL applicants are advised to see the CSC website for full details on eligibility and conditions on the scholarship.
Project Overview
Generative artificial intelligence (AI) is transforming cybercrime by enabling increasingly sophisticated phishing, impersonation, deepfakes and personalised social engineering attacks. These threats exploit not only technological vulnerabilities but also fundamental psychological processes through which people establish trust, interpret social cues and make decisions. However, the mechanisms through which AI-enabled communications influence susceptibility to cybercrime remain insufficiently understood.
This project will investigate how AI-enabled cybercrime exploits social-psychological processes, identify factors associated with vulnerability, and evaluate interventions to improve online safety. Drawing on theories of social influence, trust and decision-making, the research will examine how perceived familiarity, authority, urgency and personalisation affect people's responses to suspicious communications.
A mixed-methods design will comprise qualitative interviews exploring experiences and perceptions of online scams, a quantitative survey examining psychological and behavioural predictors of vulnerability, and a randomised experiment testing interventions designed to encourage verification and safer decision-making.
The project will advance understanding of the psychological mechanisms underlying AI-enabled cybercrime and inform evidence-based prevention strategies. Findings will have implications for cyber-awareness programmes, digital safety interventions and the design of human-centred security systems.
Research Environment
Queen Mary University of London’s School of Biological and Behavioural Sciences is a leading multidisciplinary research environment, recognised in the 2021 Research Excellence Framework. With approximately 180 PhD students, the School offers access to research facilities, experienced supervisors and comprehensive student support. Its Researcher Development Programme helps students develop essential research, professional and career management skills. The Department of Psychology promotes collaboration and knowledge exchange through weekly seminars, regular laboratory meetings and mentoring opportunities. PhD students can also co-supervise undergraduate projects to strengthen their management skills. Structured training and milestone monitoring support timely progression and successful PhD completion.
School of Biological and Behavioural Sciences
Entry Requirements
We are looking for candidates to have or expecting to receive a first or upper-second class honours degree and a Master’s degree in an area relevant to the project such as psychology, criminology, HCI, data science, AI and cyber security, with experience in quantitative and qualitative methods for data collection and analysis. Prior background in cyber security and cybercrime would also be desirable.
You must meet the IELTS requirements for your course and upload evidence before CSC’s application deadline, ideally by 17th March 2027. You are therefore strongly advised to sit an approved English Language test as soon as possible, where your IELTS test must still be valid when you enrol for the programme.
Find out more about our entry requirements here.
How to Apply
Formal applications must be submitted through our online form by 27th January 2027 for consideration. Please identify yourself as a ‘CSC Scholar’ in the funding section of the application.
Applicants are required to submit the following documents:
- Your CV
- Personal Statement
- Evidence of English Language e.g.) IELTS Certificate
- Copies of academic transcripts and degree certificates
- References
Find out more about our application process on our SBBS website.
Informal enquiries about the project can be sent to Dr Maria Bada at m.bada@qmul.ac.uk Admissions-related queries can be sent to sbbs-phd-admissions@qmul.ac.uk
Shortlisted applicants will be invited for a formal interview by the supervisor. If you are successful in your QMUL application, then you will be issued an QMUL Offer Letter, conditional on securing a CSC scholarship along with academic conditions still required to meet our entry requirements.
Once applicants have obtained their QMUL Offer Letter, they should then apply to CSC for the scholarship with the support of the supervisor.
For further information, please go to the QMUL China Scholarship Council webpage.
References
1) Bada, M. and Nurse, J. R. C. (2019) . The Social and Psychological Impact of Cyberattacks. In: Benson, Vladlena and McAlaney, John, eds. Emerging Cyber Threats and Cognitive Vulnerabilities. Academic Press, London, pp. 73-92. ISBN 978-0-12-816203-3. E-ISBN 978-0-12-816594-2. (doi:10.1016/B978-0-12-816203-3.00004-6);
2) Bada, M. (2021). Online Victimisation: The impact on victims and implications for cybercrime prevention and response. RISCS.
See Also