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Nicola Turner

Miss Nicola Turner

Research student

Email
TurnerNJ2@cardiff.ac.uk
Campuses
Tower Building, 70 Park Place, Cardiff, CF10 3AT

Overview

The rise in internet connectivity has contributed to an increase in fraudulent communications designed to persuade individuals to engage with them, such as phishing emails, fake computer updates, and pop-up messages; as well an increase in those who fall victim to such attacks. People are often seen as the greatest vulnerability to cyber-attack and there is very little research which quantitatively evaluates the complex factors that affect individual susceptibility to these types of online attack, and even less still which explores ways in which people can become a defence against them.

The first aim of my research is to experimentally test a model of individual susceptibility. Following this, my research will explore individual susceptibility to harm after a successful cyber-attack; and finally, draw upon this knowledge to develop and test methods for mitigating susceptibility to communication-based cyber-attacks.

Undergraduate Education

2009-2012: BSc (Hons) Psychology (1st) – School of Psychology, Bangor University

Postgraduate Education

2012-2013: MSc Work Psychology and Business (Distinction) – Aston Business School, Aston University

Employment

  • 2017-: Senior Human Factors Scientist, Trimetis
  • 2015-2017: HFI Discipline Lead & Engineering Knowledge Manager, BAE Systems Land (UK)
  • 2015: Graduate Cyber Consultant, BAE Systems Applied Intelligence
  • 2014: Research Psychologist (secondment), Behavioural Sciences & Influence Team, Defence Science and Technology Laboratory (Dstl)
  • 2013-2015: Graduate Research Scientist, Advanced Technology Centre, BAE Systems

Research

Research Topics and Related Papers

Cyber psychology, Human Factors, influence, decision making, online communication, Defence and Security, cyber vulnerabilities, mitigation method

Funding

Part-funded by Cardiff University School of Psychology, part-funded by Trimetis

Research Group

Cognitive science

Human Factors Excellence (HuFEX) Research Group

Research Collaborators

Dr Phil Morgan

Professor Bill Macken

Professor Dylan Jones

Teaching

I have supported year 2 undergraduate practical sessions and provided statistics assistance to final year undergraduates for their research projects.