A cartoon image of Dr Sarah Turner

Sarah Turner

Research and Engagement

I research what happens when people encounter technology that wasn't designed for them.
Then, I try to make sure what I find out helps those people!

My work spans:

  • Young people's use of emerging technologies
  • Socio-technical cybersecurity
  • Data protection and people's understanding of data use
  • Digital safety and user agency

Current Projects

Project CAISE - Principal Investigator

Project CAISE (Children and AI in School and Elsewhere) is a longitudinal study funded by the British Academy Postdoctoral Fellowship. Working collaboratively with young people, their schools, and families, the project uses sociomaterial methods to understand how children engage with generative AI across different contexts of their lives.

The project will produce academic publications, develop resources for educators and parents navigating AI with children, and contribute evidence-based recommendations for policy and practice around youth AI literacy.

CHAILD - Associated Researcher

CHAILD is a UKRI research project (jointly run by University of Oxford, UCL and Utrecht University) defining and designing children's agency in the age of AI.

Fellowships and Affiliations

British Academy Postdoctoral Fellow, UCL Knowledge Lab (2025-2028)

Researching with young people to understand their evolving relationships with generative AI, using sociomaterial methods.

Associate Fellow, Research Institute for Sociotechnical Cyber Security (RISCS) (2026)

Contributing to understanding socio-technical dimensions of cybersecurity.

Honorary Member, Institute of Cyber Security for Society (iCSS) - University of Kent

Past Projects/Research Groups

  • Project CHAI - Cyber Hygiene in AI-enabled domestic life. (EPRSC-funded, run by University of Greenwich, UCL Knowledge Lab, University of Reading, University of Bristol)
  • Digital Futures Commission - Data protection and cybersecurity practices in state schools in England. (Digital Futures Commission is part of 5Rights Foundation)
  • Ransomware Harms and the Victim Experience - Impacts of ransomware on victims, economies and societies. (RISCS and NCSC-funded, run by University of Kent and RUSI)
  • Ransomware: The Role of Cyber-Insurance - Understanding the relationship between cyber-insurance and ransomware attacks. (RISCS and NCSC-funded, run by University of Kent and RUSI)
  • Approaches to Support Families' Engagement with Cybersecurity for Home IoT Devices - Exploration of the ways in which parents/guardians and children understand, manage and discuss cybersecurity of smart devices. (NCSC-funded, PhD at University of Kent)
  • Data Portability in Consumer IoT - Investigation of the ability to exercise Article 20 GDPR for smart devices, and consumer desire to do so (MPA at UCL STEaPP)
  • PETRAS - National Centre of Excellence for IoT Systems Cybersecurity - Various projects including: children's IoT privacy and security, IoT and the d/Deaf community

Publications

View my publications on Google Scholar or UCL Profiles.

Policy

I aim to work on research projects that generate useful evidence for policy-making.


My previous projects have resulted in:

  • Published evidence in UK Select Committee reports
  • Reports and white papers for policy-makers and civil service members
  • Briefings for executive and legislative branches of international governments

Talks and Public Engagement

I love talking to people about how the findings of my research can help them have better relationships with digital technologies.


I have previously talked to...

  • Industry conference participants about data portability
  • Journalists on different aspects of my research
  • University research groups on different aspects of my research
  • University students about cyber crime, ethics and the law
  • Secondary school students about personal data use and tracking
  • Primary and secondary school students about personal threat modelling
  • Primary school students about personal cyber security

Consultancy work

I help local, national and multi-national organisations with specific questions relating to digital techology use.


Some previous examples:

  • Refreshing organisational guidance around technology use
  • Supporting curriculum development
  • Building and reviewing training documentation
  • Creating robust organisational risk and control environments

Contact

Want to have a chat about my research? Want me to give a talk or do some consultancy work?
Get in touch.