I am a Senior Lecturer in Cyber Security Management at Aston Business School and Deputy Director of the Cyber Security Innovation Centre. I have delivered multiple research and consultancy projects, as Lead researcher and Principal Investigator that include multi-million-pound Horizon Europe, Innovate UK and WMCA projects. In delivering the initiatives, I hold relationships with LEAs, regional cybercrime units, corporate partners, government agencies and academic partnerships.

My expertise extends beyond the technical aspects of cyber security, into risk management, awareness, organisational culture, and behaviours. As Programme Director for the MSc Cyber Security Management, I have developed award-winning curricula that empower future leaders and drive innovation in the ever-evolving landscape of cyber security.

As a STEM Ambassador in the West Midlands, I collaborate with diverse stakeholders to inspire the next generation’s interest in STEM, championing knowledge and skills development.

I am proud to be a founding member of the Ethnic Minorities in Cyber (EMiC) Network, supported by the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology (DSIT), where I contribute to fostering inclusivity and representation in the field.

Additionally, as an APMG Certified Cyber Security Instructor and Chapter Leader for ISACA Central UK, I am committed to advancing best practices and professional development within the industry. I am a ‘Certified in Risk and Information Systems Control’ professional.

With a track record of excellence, I am honoured to have been recognised with the ‘Midlands Women in Tech Awards’ in 2023, Finalist - Cyber University of the Year in the National Cyber Awards 2024, 'Academic Award' in 2024, a testament to my dedication and contributions to the field.

In summary, I am a passionate researcher, dedicated educator, and advocate for diversity and inclusion in cyber security management, committed to making a lasting impact on the industry and beyond.

Project:  Privacy Enhancing Mechanism for Cyber Threat Intelligence (£7,500)

This project uses advance privacy protection technologies and adapt Differential Privacy methods to support development of privacy-enhancing mechanisms for public sharing of cyber threat intelligence (CTI).

(Role: Co-I, Project Ongoing; Dates: Jan2022 – Jul2022)

Project:  Cyber Ecosystem Mapping (£180,000) Funder: DCMS

Project for Department for Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS), led by EY Government and Public Sector Cyber Security and Aston University.

This project provides DCMS with research and mapping of the UK’s cybersecurity ecosystem across all regions, to inform future investment and decision-making that will support sector-wide growth and integration.

(Role: Co-I; Dates: Feb2022 – Apr2022)

Project:  Cyber Explorer (£53,960) Funder: DCMS

Project evaluating the gamification strategy in cyber skills acquisition. Cyber Explorers, an initiative led by the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS), showcases how the skills being taught in class are linked to real world situations, through an immersive, gamified learning experience. Aston is delivering this learning platform to teach cyber skills to school pupils in the WM region.

(Role: Co-I; Dates: Feb2022 – Sep2022)

Project:  Cyber ASAP - Consent Management by Receipts (£31,942) Funder: Innovate UK

CyberASAP is a joint initiative of UK DCMS, KTN, and Innovate UK.  Our project Consent Management by Receipts (CMbyReceipts) will look into novel approaches to operationalise Consent Management on the Internet, a key component of Data Protection, with Consent Receipts.

(Role: PI; Dates: Apr2022 – Jul2022)

Project:  FinTech Cybersecurity Ecosystem - RKE Pump Priming Fund (£20,000)

This project enables knowledge exchange and policy support in the WM for research and mapping of the FinTech cybersecurity ecosystem; considered in this context to be the current environment, conditions and interventions that exist to influence or affect Fintech-focused cybersecurity companies.

 (Role: Co-I; Dates: Jan2022 – Jul2022)

Project: Emerging Sensor Technologies and Data Analytics for Air Quality Monitoring and Impact on Health (£26,000)

(Role: Principal Investigator, Project successfully completed. This was aired at on BBC 1 Inside Out (in 9 regions across the UK) in February 2020 and received a lot of media attention).

 Project: Cyber Security Readiness and Management Strategy at City Metropolitan District Council (£10,000)

(Role: Principal Investigator, Project successfully completed, this project has contributed to an impact case study submitted to REF2021)

 Project: European Commission Programme Horizon 2020 – New Business Models for Cooperative Intelligent Transport Systems (NEWBITS) (£5.5M)

(Role: WP Co-Lead; Successfully completed and presented; Project Dates 2016 - 2019)

http://newbits-project.eu/

• UK Higher Education Academy, Fellow
• Founding Member, Ethnic Minorities in Cyber Network Ethnic Minorities in Cyber (EMiC) supported by DSIT
• ISACA Chapter Leader, Central UK Chapter
• APMG Certified Cyber Security Fundamentals University Instructor
• CRISC, Certified in Information Systems and Control

Recent Press Releases

Aston University expert to talk on gender diversity and inclusion at major cyber security event
https://www.aston.ac.uk/latest-news/aston-university-expert-talk-gender-diversity-and-inclusion-major-cyber-security-event

https://www.greaterbirminghamchambers.com/latest-news/news/2022/4/27/cyber-security-event-to-talk-on-gender-diversity-and-inclusion/

Aston University’s Cyber Security Innovation Centre celebrates International Women's Day with special event for local schools
https://www.aston.ac.uk/latest-news/aston-universitys-cyber-security-innovation-centre-celebrates-international-womens-day

Aston University cyber security experts to work with EY on cyber security ecosystem research to support UK Government strategy
https://www.aston.ac.uk/latest-news/aston-university-cyber-security-experts-work-ey-cyber-security-ecosystem-research

• Winner, Academic Award, Midlands Women in Tech Awards, 2024
• Finalist, Cyber University of the Year 2024, The National Cyber Awards
• Winner, Tech for Good Award, Midlands Women in Tech Awards, 2023