Maria Ioannou

Dr Maria Ioannou is Professor of Psychology, Co-Director of the Cyberpsychology Research Network,Deputy Director of the Professional Doctoral Academy, Course Director for the MSc Investigative Psychology, Course Director for the MSc Security Science, and Deputy Director of the MSc Emergency Planning, Disaster and Resilience at the University of Huddersfield. She is a Chartered Forensic Psychologist, HCPC Registered Practitioner Psychologist (Forensic), Chartered Scientist, European Registered Psychologist, Chartered Manager, Fellow of the Higher Education Academy, Associate Fellow of the British Psychological Society, Advisory Scientific Council Member at the Institute on Crime and Criminal Justice Policy (EPLO).
Professor Ioannou's research brings together investigative psychology, cyberpsychology and behavioural science to examine how people think, behave and interact in an increasingly digital world, and how technological change is reshaping crime, victimisation and online harms.
Her research focuses on cybercrime, digital harms, online exploitation, digital relationships, online communities, cyber-enabled offending, radicalisation, misinformation and online manipulation, artificial intelligence, and the psychological impact of digital technologies on individuals and society. Through internationally collaborative research, she combines behavioural science with real-world application to develop innovative approaches that inform policy, prevention and practice.
Professor Ioannou works closely with law enforcement, government and international organisations to translate research into evidence-based solutions for complex societal and security challenges. She has delivered specialist training and keynote lectures to law enforcement, security and government organisations across Europe, the Middle East, South-East Asia, North Africa and North America, and regularly provides expert commentary for international media, including CNN and the BBC.