Overview

Research Keywords: Privacy, trust, computer-mediated communication, avatars, forgiveness, conflict, self-awareness, emotions.

I am currently collaborating with Sacha Brostoff, Alastair Gill, Gordon Ingram, Adam Joinson, Anne-Marie Oostveen, Fadhila Mazanderani, Pete Nuttall, Chrysanthi Papoutsi and Etienne Roesch.

Privacy definitions and methodologies

We have used prototype theory to understand laypeople’s conceptualisations of privacy. This research has yielded 82 features that people use to describe privacy. Using this feature list as a foundation, we have developed a dictionary of privacy related words. The dictionary can be ported into the LIWC tool assisting privacy researchers in qualitative data analysis. In a second methodological project we have developed a psychometric questionnaire that measures appraisals activated during privacy violations. This tool can be used to expose differences between people’s subjective privacy perceptions and the objective costs involved in violations. Click here for more information about the dictionary.

Location aware systems, privacy and the family

Using survey methodologies we have been investigating parents’ uses and motivations in relation to location tracking. Through content analysis, we have been examining the factors that form the basis of their attitudes towards these systems. A second project has been surveying 11-year old children on their mobile phone practices with their parents. We are studying whether parental surveillance impacts on children’s independence and personal development.

Forgiveness and trust repair

Reputation systems act as cues of trustworthiness by displaying members’ past behaviour to others (e.g. severity or frequency of previous actions). When trust breaks down, the presence of such systems does not communicate the qualitative aspects that can often lead to resolution (e.g. offering an apology). We have approached forgiveness as a mechanism that can be supported within reputation systems for the purposes of repairing trust.

Avatars, self-presentation and self-perception

How do users negotiate their identity through avatars in social media? In having access to real life objects as well as options of fantasy, what strategies do users draw together to construct their online self? We have investigated how self-presentation via avatars influences users’ self-perception. This work has also proposed design recommendations for creating more engaging avatar customisation tools.