Psychology
30%
Political science
19%
Back at the BIC for The Rest Is Politics live show, and very happy to hear a shout out from Rory Stewart of @bournemouthuni.bsky.social being an 'incredible' university.
Goldeneye is on TV. I find it quite difficult to watch that movie without holding a N64 controller.
A great today applauding our @bournemouthuni.bsky.social students as they walked across the stage at graduation.
Reposted by John McAlaney
Today we are at the Dolphin Centre in Poole for our event 'Fast Cash, Hidden Costs', where we are presenting our work on the risks associated with matched betting. We are very pleased to be joined by our colleagues from ARA Recovery for All. Stop by and say hello if you are passing.
I spoke to BBC Radio Solent this morning about the impact of the clocks going back on Sunday, and how these shared experiences can help us all relate to each other in what can feel like a complicated world. Unfortunately I know that my cat will wake me up early on Sunday anyway.
Reposted by John McAlaney
Members of the Gambling Research Group attended the Bristol Hub for Gambling Harms Research Colloquium yesterday, where we shared our own and listened to a range of interesting and insightful talks. Our thanks also to people in attendance who shared their own lived experiences.
Reposted by John McAlaney
Matched betting: quick money or hidden trap?
🗓️ 2 Nov | 11am–5pm
📍 Gather, Ground Floor, The Dolphin Centre, Poole, Dorset BH15 1SZ
🎯 Interactive activities, lived experience stories & take-home toolkit.
Free drop-in event as part of #ESRCFestival #MatchedBettingDilemma #SaferGambling @ukri.org
🗓️ 2 Nov | 11am–5pm
📍 Gather, Ground Floor, The Dolphin Centre, Poole, Dorset BH15 1SZ
🎯 Interactive activities, lived experience stories & take-home toolkit.
Free drop-in event as part of #ESRCFestival #MatchedBettingDilemma #SaferGambling @ukri.org
Thunder and lightening in Bournemouth this morning but the sun is out now (nearly), so time for lunch on the beach.
Having wanted one for years, I finally have a KITT. The only AI I feel that I can completely trust.
John McAlaney
@johnmcalaney.bsky.social
· Aug 27
Up in my home town of Glasgow to give a talk on decision making and motivations in cybercriminals at the Cybercrime Summer School at the University of Strathclyde. A nice view from Livingstone Tower, and great to meet the next generation of cybersecurity practitioners and researchers.
John McAlaney
@johnmcalaney.bsky.social
· Aug 19
We do indeed, my colleague Reece Bush leads the LGBTQIA+ work and has spoken with Michelle about her work. Thanks for the paper, I'll share it with our research group. It's definitely important to look at differences in harms between different products.
John McAlaney
@johnmcalaney.bsky.social
· Aug 19
There are a lot of gaps, but in our research group we look at how the design of gambling products increase harm; how player data could help prevention and intervention techniques; and disproportionate harms in LGBTQIA+ populations. Throughout this we include views from people with lived experience.
John McAlaney
@johnmcalaney.bsky.social
· Aug 19
Gambling research ‘at risk of going backwards’ despite new levy
UKRI handed more cash for betting-related research but campaigners claim ‘industry-friendly’ funding call stops ‘fresh start’ from old regime
www.timeshighereducation.com
'm quoted in a Times Higher Education article today on the new system for gambling harms research funding. We need more people doing work in this area, even if it makes it more competitive for established researchers to secure funding.
www.timeshighereducation.com/news/gamblin...
www.timeshighereducation.com/news/gamblin...
John McAlaney
@johnmcalaney.bsky.social
· Aug 13
I'm sure that, as a hopefully respected scientist, I'll one day be able to type the word 'phenomena' without thinking of this, but it turns out that it won't be today.
First day of annual leave, so naturally, I had to have lunch on the beach.
John McAlaney
@johnmcalaney.bsky.social
· Jul 12
Enjoying the #bournefree Pride event, despite the risk of bursting into flames from the heat.
The guy in the cafe just commented to me how lucky I was to arrive shortly before they close for the afternoon on a Friday, when they give out free brownies with coffee to avoid them going to waste.
This was not luck.
This was not luck.
Heading back to Bournemouth from Manchester, where I took part in a panel discussion on what works in cybersecurity for the Digital Futures event. Manchester is one of my favourite cities, so always great to visit. Plus I got a lovely token of thanks from the organisers.
Reposted by John McAlaney
cdspress.ca
What constitutes #transparency for #safergambling? Our latest review paper unpacks the concept and its implications. cdspress.ca/wp-content/u...
John McAlaney
@johnmcalaney.bsky.social
· Jun 20
Breakfast in sunny Manchester prior to a day of talking about research into extended, augmented and virtual reality. I'll be honest, I m going to be disappointed if at least one person doesn't look up at the ceiling at some point and say 'Computer, end simulation', just in case it works.
John McAlaney
@johnmcalaney.bsky.social
· Jun 14
Caledonia - Homecoming Scotland 2009 advert (H.Q.)
YouTube video by tomtscotland
www.youtube.com
Off up to Scotland soon for a conference and of course visits to family and friends. That can only mean one thing. It is time to play the song. Release the Lulu. www.youtube.com/watch?v=ENq8...
At an event where we have been asked to prompt ChatGPT to write a poem based on our research outputs as part of a conversation about implications of AI. I know there are many valid and important concerns about such technologies, but I can't lie, I do like how cool it makes me sound.
One of my favourite parts of living in Bournemouth is walking along the beach. There was though a weather warning for a storm when I woke up this morning. Luckily, I remembered that I'm Scottish. I have packed a small lightweight coat in my rucksack however, I'm not unreasonable
One of the books for my reading over the summer has arrived. I'm always intrigued by how young people get drawn into hacking and how they can be empowered to use their skills, knowledge, and passion to improve cybersecurity.
In York to take part in the SPRITE+ Expert Fellow event on Trust, Identity, Privacy and Security. Looking forward to the opportunity to have further discussions around interdisciplinary approaches to challenges in this area.
John McAlaney
@johnmcalaney.bsky.social
· Apr 20
A walk along the beach today to burn off some Easter egg chocolate. Of course, there may be more chocolate later on.
John McAlaney
@johnmcalaney.bsky.social
· Apr 12
First day of annual leave after a very busy and tiring couple of months. I decided that lunch at the beach would be a good way to get started.
John McAlaney
@johnmcalaney.bsky.social
· Apr 11
Along with my colleagues I am flattered to be part of the team that has won the Requirement Engineering: Foundation for Software Quality (REFSQ) 2025 Most Influential Paper Award, in recognition of our REFSQ 2015 paper entitled "The emerging requirement for digital addiction labels”
A rare afternoon in which I can focus solely on doing research. Whenever this does happen though I always think of this scene from Stepbrothers. Not that I endorse putting Tipp-Ex on bees, I would like to stress.