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John McAlaney @johnmcalaney.bsky.social · Sep 7

Thunder and lightening in Bournemouth this morning but the sun is out now (nearly), so time for lunch on the beach.

John McAlaney @johnmcalaney.bsky.social · Sep 6

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.

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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.

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John McAlaney @johnmcalaney.bsky.social · Aug 19

'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...

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

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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.

John McAlaney @johnmcalaney.bsky.social · Aug 9

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.

John McAlaney @johnmcalaney.bsky.social · Jul 4

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.

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John McAlaney @johnmcalaney.bsky.social · Jul 3

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.

Gambling Research Group @gamresearchbu.bsky.social · Jun 26

What constitutes #transparency for #safergambling? Our latest review paper unpacks the concept and its implications. cdspress.ca/wp-content/u...

cdspress.ca

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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

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...

Caledonia - Homecoming Scotland 2009 advert (H.Q.)

YouTube video by tomtscotland

www.youtube.com

John McAlaney @johnmcalaney.bsky.social · Jun 9

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.

John McAlaney @johnmcalaney.bsky.social · Jun 7

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

John McAlaney @johnmcalaney.bsky.social · Jun 5

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.

John McAlaney @johnmcalaney.bsky.social · May 6

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”

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John McAlaney @johnmcalaney.bsky.social · Apr 8

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.

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John McAlaney @johnmcalaney.bsky.social · Apr 6

How to summon cats. Works on some humans as well

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John McAlaney @johnmcalaney.bsky.social · Mar 30

Given that they are demanding to be fed an hourly earlier than the time they should thinks it is, I have concluded that my two cats i) know about the clocks going forward and ii) are able to read the time on a digital clock. Of course, this doesn't happen when the clocks go back.

John McAlaney @johnmcalaney.bsky.social · Mar 26

It was great to see our CEO of the Gordon Moody Association, Monica Shafaq, on BBC Breakfast this morning to talk about the launch of International Gambling Harms Awareness Day and our #BehindTheBet campaign. I am proud to be a Trustee of such an important organisation.

John McAlaney @johnmcalaney.bsky.social · Mar 23

Stopped by Bournemouth Comic Con today. Told myself I wouldn't buy anything. Bought something.

John McAlaney @johnmcalaney.bsky.social · Mar 20

At Canary Wharf once again for the annual Impact event organised by @CybSafe. It's a great opportunity to share ideas and new developments in cybersecurity with people from industry, academia, government, and other stakeholders. Something I look forward to every year.

Gambling Research Group @gamresearchbu.bsky.social · Mar 17

An article by Gambling Research Groups members on our GambleAware funded work on social norms and goal setting has been included in the GREO Evidence Centre - available at www.greo.ca/Modules/Evid...

Exploring people’s experiences of social norms and goal setting interventions to support safer gambling

www.greo.ca

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John McAlaney @johnmcalaney.bsky.social · Feb 24

'I wonder if I have too many hoodies' I thought to myself today, as I took off my sitting around the house hoodie and put on my going outside hoodie. Not my fancy going outside hoodie mind you, just my going to the shops hoodie.

John McAlaney @johnmcalaney.bsky.social · Feb 22

Surfing and ziplining down at the beach today. Well not personally, I just had a coffee and donut and watched other people, but it looked exciting