The following fully-funded PhD studentship is available in the School of Biological and Behavioural Sciences with an expected start date of Sept 2023.
The School of Biological and Behavioural Sciences at Queen Mary is one of the UK’s elite research centres, according to the 2021 Research Excellence Framework (REF). We offer a multi-disciplinary research environment and have approximately 150 PhD students working on projects in the biological and psychological sciences. Our students have access to a variety of research facilities supported by experienced staff, as well as a range of student support services.
The Department of Psychology, SBBS, and Queen Mary, provide a environment for high quality training. Within Psychology, knowledge exchange and collaboration is supported via initiatives for all students and staff. Psychology organises weekly Departmental seminars where external speakers, staff, and students present their work to undergraduate and postgraduate students and staff. Supervisors hold regular lab meeting with PhD students and postdocs as formal space for mentoring (e.g., students learn to design, execute, and troubleshoot projects) and to encourage informal mentoring between students.
PhD students are given the opportunity to co-supervise undergraduate projects aligned with their own research to develop management skills. Within SBBS, there is a 100% 4-year completion rate for PhD students, reflecting the emphasis on milestones and training support for students.
Our PhD students become part of Queen Mary’s Doctoral College which provides training and development opportunities, advice on funding, and financial support for research. Our students also have access to a Researcher Development Programme designed to help recognise and develop key skills and attributes needed to effectively manage research, and to prepare and plan for the next stages of their career.
Within Psychology, knowledge exchange and collaboration is supported via initiatives for all students and staff. Psychology organises weekly Departmental seminars where external speakers, staff, and students present their work to undergraduate and postgraduate students and staff. Supervisors hold regular lab meeting with PhD students and postdocs as formal space for mentoring (e.g., students learn to design, execute, and troubleshoot projects) and to encourage informal mentoring between students. PhD students are given the opportunity to co-supervise undergraduate projects aligned with their own research to develop management skills.
Training on writing skills, presentation skills, teaching and statistics will be offered among other areas for personal and professional development. More details can be found here: https://www.qmul.ac.uk/doctoralcollege/phd-students/training/
Digital technology has changed the way in which we, as a global society, socialise and conduct business. This growth has led to an increasing reliance on technology, much more interconnectedness and in turn, an expansion of criminal opportunities, known now as ‘cybercrime’. The impact of online crime in the UK has been significant not only for businesses but also individuals. For example, during the COVID-19 pandemic the elderly became an easy victim of online risks due to the lack of digital literacy and skills.
The suggested project aims to explore the different types of behaviour online, the experience of victimisation, perceptions of cybercrime and the overlap of online offending and victimization as well as the use of online crime prevention strategies. By using both quantitative and qualitative methods such as online survey, interviews and data science, the project will: a) explore the online behaviours leading to victimisation and/or offending; b) assess the risks/threats for vulnerable groups; c) identify the impact of online victimisation and d) Identify suitable interventions to prevent these risks.
This project seeks to combine the fields of psychology, HCI and data science to investigate the range of challenges faced by users, to understand these challenges and seek to develop interventions to prevent these risks. As there are several different areas in which this project could focus, the background and research interests of the student will shape the research.
The studentship is funded by Queen Mary and will cover home tuition fees, and provide an annual tax-free maintenance allowance for 3 years at the UKRI rate (£19,668 in 2022/23).
For international students interested in applying, please note that this studentship only covers home tuition fees and students will need to cover the difference in fees between the home and overseas basic rate. Tuition fee rates for 2023-24 are to be confirmed. Details on current (2022-23) tuition fee rates can be found at: https://www.qmul.ac.uk/postgraduate/research/funding_phd/tuition-fees/
Applications are invited from outstanding candidates with a masters degree in an area relevant to the project (psychology, criminology, HCI, data science), with experience in quantitative and qualitative methods for data collection and analysis. Prior background in cyber security and cybercrime would also be desirable.
Applicants from outside of the UK are required to provide evidence of their English language ability. Please see our English language requirements page for details: https://www.qmul.ac.uk/international-students/englishlanguagerequirements/postgraduateresearch/
Informal enquiries about the project can be sent to Dr Maria Bada at m.bada@qmul.ac.uk Formal applications must be submitted through our online form by 28th February 2023.
The School of Biological and Behavioural Sciences is committed to promoting diversity in science; we have been awarded an Athena Swan Silver Award. We positively welcome applications from underrepresented groups.http://hr.qmul.ac.uk/equality/ https://www.qmul.ac.uk/sbcs/about-us/athenaswan/
Apply Online
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.