Haiqa Mushtaq

BSc Hons, MSc, MPhil, PhD and PostDoc - Open to PostDoc Opportunities

I am a PhD student in Cybersecurity with a solid academic foundation, holding a BSc (Hons) and MSc in Information Systems. My interdisciplinary research sits at the intersection of cybersecurity, artificial intelligence, criminology, and digital law, with an applied focus on the critical and evolving threats facing the higher education sector across the UK.

My doctoral research investigates the increasing prevalence of cyberattacks on academic institutions in the UK, with a particular emphasis on academics and its impact on psychological well-being, professional stability, and operational capacity of academic staff across the university sector in the UK. My work is deep-rooted in qualitative field research, including in-depth interviews with academic professionals and cybersecurity experts who have experienced or dealt with cyber incidents. This enables me to uncover rich, real-world insights into institutional response, lived experience, and the broader consequences of digital risk.

My work also engages with the evolving role of artificial intelligence — examining its potential both as a tool for enhanced cybersecurity safety and as a risk that demands careful ethical and legal oversight. Drawing on criminological theory and legal analysis, I explore criminal behaviour, institutional blind spots, and the limitations of existing regulatory frameworks within the higher education sector in comparison to industries.

I am now seeking opportunities where I can apply my research-driven insights, technical literacy, and interdisciplinary expertise to real-world challenges — whether in academia, government, or industry — to help organisations better understand, prepare for, and respond to complex cyber threats.

Cybersecurity & Well-being 

Healthcare; Mobile Devices, Wearable Technology, Computational Medicine.

Generative AI for Medical Research:

• Clinical Support
• Medical Diagnostics
• Diagnostic accuracy: AI Medical Imaging

Computational Social Sciences 

AI, VR, ML, IoT (Artificial Intelligence, Virtual Reality, Machine Learning, and Internet of Things). 

Data Management Systems 

Human Computer Interactions (HCI) 

Psychology & Criminology

Others Include: 

• Cyber Fraud - including phishing, spear phishing, vishing and whaling  
• Malware Attacks - including viruses, worms, trojans, spyware, rootkits, etc ransomware attacks drive-by downloads
• Hacking - including distributed denial-of-service attacks (DDoS), and keylogging. 
• Password Decryption
• Out-of-date, Unpatched Software

Research Interest: E-Crime and Policing Cybercrime

I am interested in exploring how e-crime on social media, especially on creation of fake profiles to impersonate any individual or organisation. My aim is to understand psychological motives behind manipulation for purposes like fraud, bullying, or control. Additionally, I aim to explore how policing can improve in supporting cybercrime victims, particularly through reporting mechanisms and gaining access to account data to track and identify offenders. My research will also look at the challenges in investigating, prosecuting, and sentencing cybercriminals.

Programming Languages & Formal Methods: study of programming languages, language theory, program analysis, quantitative reasoning about software systems. 

Network & Systems: Identifying unlawful or malicious activities in networks, Improving stronger encryption protocols for secure data transmission and safeguarding user privacy in cloud systems, IoT, and big data environments.

Leveraging blockchain technology for secure, decentralized networks (Blockchain)

MPhil & PhD Cybersecurity | Royal Holloway University of London | 2022 - 2026 - Present  

• Quantitative Research Methods - Doctoral Students
• Qualitative Research Methods - Doctoral Students
• Philosophy Methods - Doctoral Students - Critical Realism 

MSc Business Information Systems | Royal Holloway University of London | 2019 - 2020

• Enterprise Systems 
• People and Technology 
• Information Systems Design, Development and Management 
• Dissertation 
• Information Systems Theory and Practice 
• Database and Web Technologies 
• E-Business 
• Research Methods for Digital Business 

BSc Hons Business Information Systems | University of Westminster | 2016 - 2019 

• Business Information Systems Concepts 
• Business Mathematics & Computer Science Mathematics 
• Modelling User and System Requirements 
• Programming principles 
• Computer Science Practice 
• Web Design and Development 
• Information Technology Security 
• Agile Project Management 
• Database Systems 
• Advanced Client Side Development 
• Information Driven Entrepreneurship and Enterprise 
• Final Year Project  
• Strategic Management of Information Systems 
• People Groups and Social Interactions 
• Digital Marketing and Social Media and Web Analytics 

Others: 

Havard University | Harvard Kennedy School | Havard School of Engineering and Applied Science 

HKS Executive Education Faculty | Machine Learning for Leaders | 2025

Learning emphasis on importance of leaders and policy – makers in government, law and technology.

University of Manchester | Course 5 Weeks | 2021

Course: AI for Healthcare: Equipping the Workforce for Digital Transformation

Taipei Medical University |Taiwan | Course 4 Weeks | 2021 

Course: Artificial Intelligence for Healthcare: Opportunities and Challenges

University of Strathclyde | Course 3 Weeks | 2021 

Course: The Power of Data in Health and Social Care

Throughout my PhD and professional journey, I have not only engaged with but also worked alongside several leading universities across the UK, collaborating in a wide range of academic fields including AI, Business, Marketing, Law, Criminology, Information Systems, Medicine (Healthcare), Engineering, Accounting and Finance, pharmaceutical industry, and many others. 

At LSE, I had the opportunity to participate in an academic event where I engaged with Sal Khan, the founder of Khan Academy, about his latest book, Brave New Words: How AI Will Revolutionize Education (and Why That's a Good Thing). The discussion offered fascinating insights into the potential of AI in the education sector. Following the talk, there was a book signing and a Q&A session, which helped me gain a deeper understanding of how AI can make education more personalised and accessible. It was an invaluable experience to engage with such a visionary figure in education technology industry | London School of Economics and Political Science | June 2024 

At Imperial College London, I contributed as an early career researcher and doctoral student, focusing on understanding the processes of publishing journal papers and articles. During my time at the School of Design Engineering in May 2023, I participated in engaging discussions, including Q&A sessions where I received valuable feedback. This experience has given me clear understanding of the key aspects of academic publishing and how to refine my work within peer- reviewed journals | School of Design Engineering, Imperial College London | May 2023

At the University of Kent, I presented two research papers at the UKAIS- UK Academy for Information Systems conference, one individually at the Doctoral Consortium and one research paper with my team. The experience was rewarding, as I was honoured with the Best Paper Award at the end of the conference, followed by recognition from the UKAIS Board and UKAIS conference committee, with a special mention from the 2023 Doctoral Consortium Chair.

I had the opportunity to attend a conference in collaboration with University of Reading, where I was given the opportunity to present my research on cybersecurity. It was an exciting experience to share my finding with an engaged audience. I received valuable feedback from peers and experts, which has helped me refine my approach and offered new perspective on the topic. I had the opportunity to engage with colleagues during the event was insightful, as it sparked a meaningful conversation. The Q&A sessions was particularly enriching, allowing me to clarify key points, and explore deeper aspects of my research in cybersecurity. Overall, it was a great experience, learning, and further developing my work | May 2023 | University of Reading 

I have collaborated with the University of London in various academic contexts. In 2022-2023, I was involved in teaching the Employability Module and Human Resource Management and marking coursework for modules such as BSc Marketing. Additionally, I supported marking and teaching across several other modules. I will continue these contributions in the current academic year.

Online Tutoring & Teaching | October - December 2022 | 10 Weeks | Royal Holloway University of London 

Currently teaching undergraduate students on Employability Module. i am also responsible for moderating the weekly discussion forums and replying to students in the forums. 

Presenting two one hour webinars during the term time to undergraduate students on Employability module. 

Workshop Leader – Foundations in Digital Enterprise | Royal Holloway, University of London | School of Business and Management | 23 January 2023 – 24 March 2023

Delivered workshops for the Foundations in Digital Enterprise module, providing a non-technical introduction to digital technologies as tools for innovation and organisational transformation.

Focused on the role of digital technologies in business from a management and organisational perspective, situating the subject within the social sciences.

Supported student learning through interactive sessions and formative feedback.

Assessed student assignments and contributed to overall module delivery under the guidance of the module leader.

Royal Holloway, University of London | Learning and Technology Assistant | Educational Development | Professional Services | 5th June 2023 – 28th July 2023

Worked both independently and collaboratively with the E-Learning team to support the delivery of live e-learning service projects. Key responsibilities included:

Content Development: Created and published e-learning support materials as part of the university’s upgrade to Moodle 4, with a strong focus on improving accessibility and user experience.

System Migration: Assisted in the migration of online polling resources to Vevox and contributed to the drawdown and archiving of legacy MOOC materials.

Training & Support: Supported the planning and delivery of live training and development events for e-learning service users, including academic and professional staff.

Data Analysis Researcher | September 2022 | Royal Holloway University of London 

Conducting focus groups with a group of students from undergraduate studies on a specific project and currently carrying out data analysis for the project with a team of doctoral students. 

Microsoft EMEA Sales | September 2022

Understanding Sustainability, EMEA sales, Innovation, Developments,  organsiational Culture at Mictosoft. Understanding Microsoft’s strategic enterprises, customers and to drive innovative / technical EMEA sales. 

UK, US and Japan Collaborative Research on International Digital Trust | Project | International Collaboration | September 2022 - May 2023  

The analysis of digital trust schemes, focusing on human aspects of trust. Analysis for  eIDAS / EU Digital Identity equivalent approaches for establishing and maintaining electronic trust amongst US / UK / Japan; and a comparison of the respective approaches and identification of common elements, differences, gaps and overlaps amongst the three countries.

Royal Holloway University of London – UK (Postgraduate Dissertation August 2020)

 Subject Area: AI, IoT and Machine learning: investigating Smart Technology impacts on the Healthcare Sector in the UK.

This project explores how Internet of Things (IoT) technologies are transforming patient care in the UK, with a focus on their adoption, impact, and acceptance in healthcare settings. It examines how smart devices—such as wearable monitors and remote sensors—enhance treatment, improve record-keeping, and support chronic disease management, particularly in diabetes care.

The study also addresses critical issues around digital infrastructure, data privacy, and security. By investigating public and professional attitudes toward these technologies, the project aims to understand how comfortable people are with the rapid digital shift in healthcare and what is needed to ensure safe, ethical, and effective integration.

University of Westminster UK – (Undergraduate Project May 2019)

Subject Area: Online booking Systems for GP using an Agile SCRUM Methodology

This project explores the development of an online GP appointment booking system using the Agile SCRUM methodology. It includes an analysis of existing NHS booking systems and the design and implementation of a custom solution built with PHP, JavaScript, HTML, and CSS.

Alongside development, the project investigates patterns in attendance vs non-attendance at GP practices and hospitals, and how digital tools can improve patient access and reduce missed appointments. It also examines the role of healthcare data and emerging technologies like IoT in shaping the future of patient services and operational efficiency within the NHS.

Cisco – Online collaboration Tools and Data Centre| Technologist | January 2020

By visiting cisco I was able to gain knowledge about different cloud services available and how cisco brings Networking, Security, Analytics and Management together. At cisco I was able to learn about multi-cloud software’s, infrastructure, integrated solutions, and services. Whilst I was there, I had the opportunity to get hands on experience with Cisco’s video conferencing rooms and try out some of their latest Technologies and Tools which are used in video conferencing. 

SKY – Software Engineering Academy- Graduate Software Developer | 2019 

My time at SKY was involved in creating a mobile application for Sky Cinema my role was Software Developer, so I had the opportunity to showcase my coding skills and knowledge and to be able to apply that at Industry Level. During the day we used different software such as GitHub a hosting platform which allowed team members to have access to edit. To end our group work, we had a presentation to show other teams our mobile application and our designing. 

Further details regarding my employment experience will be added at later stage.