I’m excited to share a fully-funded PhD opportunity (starting October 2025) at University College London (UCL) that merges cutting-edge research in Human-Computer Interaction (HCI) and Natural Language Processing (NLP) with a commitment to tackling technology-facilitated intimate partner abuse (tech abuse). This position offers a unique chance to create safer online spaces and drive research and social impact through technical innovation and user-centred design. I’d be grateful if you could share this information amongst your students and broader networks! 🔍 Project Overview Hosted by UCL’s “Gender and Tech<https://www.genderandtech.net/>” Lab within the Information Security Research Group<https://sec.cs.ucl.ac.uk/>, this PhD project will focus on: * HCI-driven user research to design interfaces and interventions that support and empower at-risk users. * Using NLP to uncover harmful language patterns and behaviours online, informing policy and protections. * Collaborating with NGOs, policymakers, and industry experts to shape proactive technical safeguards and regulatory frameworks. ✨ Why Join Us? * Full funding for tuition, stipend, and research costs. * Opportunity to publish in top journals and conferences. * Engage with a vibrant, interdisciplinary community passionate about digital safety, policy-relevant research, and social justice. * Access to world-class resources, mentorship, and collaboration networks. 🔧 Ideal Candidates Will Have: * HCI and User-Centred Design Knowledge: Skills or interest in designing intuitive and secure user interfaces for vulnerable populations, incorporating user research and usability testing. * Technical Expertise in Python/NLP: Experience with text classification, information extraction, and deep learning frameworks. A strong understanding of ethical AI principles, including fairness and transparency, is essential. * Research Independence and Rigour: Ability to define research questions, apply robust methodologies, manage large datasets, and work autonomously. Strong English language skills are essential. 📅 Deadline to Apply: 28 January 2025 🔗 Full project details and application information: * Project Details: https://ucl-epsrc-dtp.github.io/2025-26-project-catalogue/projects/2531ad152... * Application Information: https://www.ucl.ac.uk/epsrc-doctoral-training/prospective-students/apply-ucl... Thank you for helping us spread the word, and don’t hesitate to contact me with any questions. Best wishes, Leonie ________________________________________________________________ Dr Leonie Maria Tanczer Associate Professor in International Security and Emerging Technologies Department of Computer Science University College London Twitter: @leotanczt<https://twitter.com/leotanczt> Website: http://www.leonietanczer.net/ Key Fingerprint: 9F21 A6A6 913E 1393 1BC6 73DA EBEF 07A4 F61F 79DA