Representing the CyberSafety team, Dr Ashley  Sheil presented their research at the 2024 ACM Conference on Computer-Supported Cooperative Work and Social Computing (CSCW), held in Costa Rica. Despite the event being set against a backdrop of lush tropical surroundings, the weather was notably wet, but did not dampen the enthusiasm and interest of all who came.

About CSCW:

For those unfamiliar, CSCW is a premier international conference that focuses on understanding how technology affects collaboration and interaction in various settings. Researchers, practitioners, and thought leaders gather annually at CSCW to exchange innovative ideas about designing, implementing, and evaluating systems that support cooperative work. This year's conference featured a diverse range of topics, from AI and remote collaboration to accessibility and digital inclusion.

Research Highlights: Empowering Older Adults Through Digital Education

The CyberSafety research group funded by Science Federation Ireland, consists of Dr Ashley Sheil, Jacob Camilleri, Moya Cronin, Melanie Gruben and is led by Dr Hazel Murray and co-led by Dr Michelle O Keeffe. The work also involved collaborative input from Dr Sanchari Das of Denver University. 

The study "Enhancing Personalised Cybersecurity Guidance for Older Adults in Ireland" examines how tailored advice can help older adults feel safer online. Using a two-phase approach, it identified key concerns like avoiding scams, password management, and privacy protection. Older adults, though aware of risks, often hesitate to adopt tools like password managers or two-factor authentication.

The research underscores the need for accessible, personalised guidance to build confidence and bridge the digital divide, focusing on practical strategies and varying levels of digital literacy, the full paper can be accessed here: https://doi.org/10.1145/3678884.3681894.

A Spotlight at CSCW:

The research was presented as a poster, which turned out to be one of the highlights of the conference. The work sparked significant interest among attendees, leading to lively discussions about the future of digital education for marginalised groups. The poster's engaging design and insightful content earned it the Best Poster Award, a testament to its relevance and impact.