Dr Ali Farooq
Lecturer
Computer and Information Sciences
Personal statement
I am passionate about exploring the intricate dynamics between humans and technology. I have formal education in IT and business and have worked in diverse settings, including law enforcement, higher education management, teaching, and research. My research interests lie in understanding how people of different ages interact with technology, what issues they face during the acceptance, adoption and post-adoption phases, and the consequences of technology use on the various aspects of their lives. Understanding users' experience helps design better systems, tools and applications. My work aims to bridge the gap between technical solutions and user experiences, enhancing both security measures and user satisfaction. I believe by fostering interdisciplinary dialogue, we can bring a meaningful change in the field of cybersecurity.
Beyond academia, I regularly provide consultancy in user experience research.
If you are interested in doing PhD in the above-mentioned areas, feel free to contact me!
Prize And Awards
- Senior Member (SMIEEE)
- Recipient
- 2024
- Social Media Research Award (Runner up)
- Recipient
- 2022
- Best Paper Runner up
- Recipient
- 2019
- Prime Minister's Commendation Certificate
- Recipient
- 2009
Publications
- Not all consent is equal : how design and cynicism shape users’ privacy decisions
- Dahabiyeh Laila, Najjar Mohammad S, Farooq Ali
- Computers and Security (2026)
- https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cose.2026.105084
- Evolving technology use and embeded security practices among Finnish adolescents : a longitudinal study
- Farooq Ali, Khan Naurin Farooq, Aldahdouh Tahani Z, Tamime Reham Al, Mannikko Niko, Virtanen Seppo, Isoaho Jouni
- Human Behavior and Emerging Technologies Vol 2026 (2026)
- https://doi.org/10.1155/hbe2/5929363
- The Human Side of Digital Transformation: Understanding Behaviour in the Age of AI
- Farooq Ali
- International Conference on Digital Transformation, Innovation & Sustainable Development 2026 (2026)
- The effect of religiosity and cultural conservatism on digital privacy concerns : A comparative longitudinal study of five Arab countries
- Haider Waseem, Martin Justin, Farooq Ali, Salminen Joni, Jansen Bernard J
- International Communication Gazette Vol 88, pp. 284-316 (2026)
- https://doi.org/10.1177/17480485251374883
- Does negative buzz result in social media discontinuation? : Investigating the effects of negative word of mouth in the United States, India, and Finland
- Farooq Ali, Salminen Joni, Dahabiyeh Laila, Javed Yousra, Jansen Bernard J
- Technology in Society Vol 84 (2026)
- https://doi.org/10.1016/j.techsoc.2025.103103
- AI-generated personas : representing user needs with generative AI models
- Salminen Joni, Nielsen Lene, Farooq Ali, Jansen Bernard
- International Journal of Human Computer Studies Vol 209 (2026)
- https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijhcs.2026.103745
Research Interests
My research focus is "Where human meets technology"!
I am interested in understanding how people interact with technology, what issues they face, and the consequences of technology use. To understand these dynamics, I borrow knowledge from disciplines such as sociology, psychology, and economics and conduct user studies (both quantitative and qualitative) to understand and improve human-technology interaction, especially cybersecurity behaviours.
Investigating the effects of the dark side of technology, such as information overload and techno-stress, on well-being and security-related behaviours is also close to my heart.
Professional Activities
- Cross-Faculty Connections: Growing Networks and Building Opportunities with and for Children and Young People
- Participant
- 26/2/2026
- Panel: Incident Response & Recovery
- Chair
- 4/2/2026
- From Buzz to Bye: Unpacking Social Media Discontinuation in the Wake of Privacy Shifts – Lessons from WhatsApp
- Speaker
- 8/1/2026
- International Journal of Human Computer Studies (Journal)
- Editor
- 2026
- Amel Bourdocen
- Host
- 26/11/2025
- Internet Interventions (Journal)
- Peer reviewer
- 10/2025
Projects
- Addressing Privacy Risks and Legal Challenges in the Emergent Use of Text-based Generative AI for UK Research (REPHRAIN)
- Moncur, Wendy (Principal Investigator) Farooq, Ali (Co-investigator) Farooq, Ali (Co-investigator) Gibson, Ryan Colin (Research Co-investigator) Gibson, Ryan Colin (Research Co-investigator)
- 01-Jan-2023 - 31-Jan-2024
- Addressing Privacy Risks and Legal Challenges in the Emergent Use of Text-based Generative AI for UK Research (REPHRAIN)
- Moncur, Wendy (Principal Investigator) Farooq, Ali (Co-investigator) Farooq, Ali (Co-investigator) Gibson, Ryan Colin (Research Co-investigator) Gibson, Ryan Colin (Research Co-investigator)
- 01-Jan-2023 - 31-Jan-2024
Contact
Dr
Ali
Farooq
Lecturer
Computer and Information Sciences
Email: ali.farooq@strath.ac.uk
Tel: Unlisted