UCL Computer Science secures $80,000 Google gift to combat technology-facilitated abuse

Researchers at UCL Computer Science have been awarded an $80,000 unrestricted gift from Google to support pioneering research into technology-facilitated abuse. The funds will help advance the work of Associate Professor Dr Leonie Tanczer and her team at the Gender and Tech Research Lab.

Dr Tanczer’s research focuses on the misuse of digital technologies to perpetrate abuse, particularly in the context of intimate partner violence (IPV). The interdisciplinary team, part of UCL Computer Science's Information Security Research Group (UCL ISec), investigates how technologies such as smart home devices and online platforms are weaponised by abusers to control and harm victims. The research also looks at how emerging technologies might help mitigate these risks, contributing to a safer digital environment for vulnerable users.

Building on their existing work, the team will use the funds to explore "safety agents"- digital tools designed to enhance the protection and well-being of at-risk users. This new research will aim to offer practical solutions to safeguard individuals who are most vulnerable to technology-facilitated abuse.

Dr Tanczer, a recipient of the UKRI Future Leaders Fellowship (FLF), is recognised for her innovative approach to gender, technology and cybersecurity. Her team works closely with charities, policymakers and industry leaders to develop an evidence base that informs interventions and policies aimed at protecting individuals affected by digital abuse. Their recent work includes using natural language processing to analyse data from domestic abuse charities to better understand the scale of tech abuse and its impact on victims.

UCL is committed to sharing the findings of this project widely. All data, code, and outcomes from the research will be made available under open-source licences, ensuring that the results are accessible to academic and industry communities, as well as public safety organisations.

Commenting on the award, Dr Tanczer said: "This is an incredibly generous gift that will have a profound impact on our work. I am deeply grateful for Google's vital investment in boosting our understanding of user safety in digital environments, particularly for those at risk of technology-facilitated abuse.

It means a lot to our Lab and me to have the backing of a leading industry actor who is at the heart of both the problem and the solution space. I am truly excited about the potential impact this funding can have, and I am determined to make every cent count to help create safer digital technologies and online spaces for everyone."

Professor Daniel Alexander, Head of UCL Computer Science, added: “This generous donation from Google underscores the importance of Dr Tanczer’s research in tackling one of the most urgent challenges of our digital age. The Department is dedicated to interdisciplinary research that delivers real societal benefits, and this support will allow us to continue our vital work in protecting individuals from the misuse of technology."