PhD Researcher - Cybersecurity
I’m a PhD researcher in Cybersecurity (University of Strathclyde), focusing on AI assistant security and privacy - measurement, platform transparency, and governance. I build practical tools and empirical methods to evaluate how AI-enabled systems behave in the real world, and how we can design protections that genuinely work for users.
- Institution University of Strathclyde
- City: Glasgow, Scotland
- Publication Portal:Frazer Sandison
- Degree: MEng in Computer and Electronic Systems
- Freelance: Available
About
I’m a PhD researcher in Cybersecurity at the University of Strathclyde, working in the area of AI assistant security and privacy. My research interests include measuring privacy-relevant behaviour in deployed AI systems, platform transparency and governance, and building practical mitigations that can be evaluated empirically.
Since starting my PhD on 1 October 2024, I’ve presented a poster at ACE-CSR (Lancaster, January 2025), completed my literature review (December 2025), and secured ethics approval (November 2025) to support study deployment. Alongside my research, I’ve built tools for AI assistant measurement and analysis to support reproducibility and rigorous evaluation.
I also contribute to the security community through academic service and leadership: I chaired Technical Support for EuroUsec 2025 (September 2025), co-organised and helped run the 9th International Perspectives on Cybercrime Summer School (August 2025), and I’ve coordinated StrathCyber research group meetings since January 2025.
Research Snapshot
I’m a PhD researcher in Cybersecurity (Year 2), focusing on AI assistant security and privacy — especially measurement, platform transparency, and governance.
PhD in Cybersecurity
Security & Privacy
Threats, mitigations, and user protections.
Empirical research
Platform behaviour, risk signals, and evaluation.
Current focus
Ethics-approved measurement work • tooling • thesis planning
Milestones
-
2024-10-01 — Started PhD in Cybersecurity (AI assistant security & privacy).
-
2025-01 — Took on StrathCyber research group meeting coordination.
-
2025-01 — Poster presentation at ACE-CSR (Lancaster).
-
2025-08 — Co-organised and helped run the 9th International Perspectives on Cybercrime Summer School.
-
2025-09 — Technical Support for EuroUsec 2025.
-
2025-11 — Received ethics approval for PhD research.
-
2025-12 — Completed literature review.
-
Next — Deploy ethics-approved study components, analyse results, and prepare publication outputs.
Achievements
-
Research dissemination: Poster presentation at ACE-CSR (Lancaster, 2025-01).
-
Research tooling: Built tools for AI assistant measurement and analysis.
-
Governance & ethics: Ethics approval secured (2025-11).
-
Academic service: Technical Support for EuroUsec 2025 (2025-09).
-
Community: Co-organised the 9th International Perspectives on Cybercrime Summer School (2025-08).
-
Departmental: Meeting organiser (since 2025-01).
Want to collaborate? Get in touch.
Publications & Outputs
Selected research outputs, talks, and artefacts.
Poster
2025-01
NCSC ACE-CSR, Lancaster
Poster presentation on AI assistant security and privacy (measurement / governance themes).
Tools
2025
AI assistant measurement tooling
Research tooling to support measurement and analysis of AI assistant behaviour.
Skills
Curriculum Vitae
Summary
Frazer Sandison
PhD researcher in Cybersecurity (University of Strathclyde) focused on AI assistant security and privacy, with interests in measurement, platform transparency, and governance. Building practical tools and using empirical methods to evaluate real-world AI-enabled system behaviour.
Education
PhD in Cybersecurity
2024-10 - Present
University of Strathclyde, Glasgow
Research focus: AI assistant security and privacy, measurement methodology, platform transparency, and governance. Ethics approval received (2025-11); literature review completed (2025-12).
Master of Engineering
Computer and Electronic Systems
2023 - 2024
University of Strathclyde, Glasgow
A joint degree covering both Electrical Engineering and Computing Science, forming a bridge between hardware and software expertise. Specialist topics studied include AI techniques, e-commerce, and computer security.
This program, accredited by the IET and BCS, and the Science Council, fulfills requirements for Chartered Engineer, Chartered Scientist, and Chartered IT Professional registration.
Bachelor of Engineering
Computer and Electronic Systems
2019 - 2023
University of Strathclyde, Glasgow
Core concepts in fundamental principles and concepts in electronic engineering, mathematics and computer science. Built upon being introduced to programming languages and techniques, computer communications and hardware and software engineering systems.
Academic Service & Leadership
StrathCyber Meeting Coordination
2025-01 - Present
University of Strathclyde
- Coordinates research group meetings and scheduling.
- Scout potential external speakers.
- Create and maintain public invitations to relevant talks.
Chair, Technical Support
2025-09
EuroUsec 2025
- Led technical support for conference.
Co-organiser
2025-08
9th International Perspectives on Cybercrime Summer School
- Co-organised and supported delivery of the summer school programme.
- Managed scholarship submissions and partnered with sponsors.
- Delivered instruction to speakers for AV systems and provided technical support throughout.
- Managed attendee check-in, catering, and other administrative support.
Industry Experience (Prior)
Genius
2019 - 2024
Apple Retail UK Ltd
- Delivered end-to-end technical support, repair workflows, and user-centred solutions.
- Trained and mentored team members in diagnostic and troubleshooting practice.
Technical Specialist
2014 - 2019
Apple Retail UK Ltd
- Explained complex technical concepts clearly to diverse audiences.
- Balanced high-throughput service with quality and customer outcomes.
Academic Service & Outreach
Alongside research, I contribute through writing, tooling, community work, and collaborative projects in AI assistant security and privacy.
Tooling & Reproducibility
Research prototypes, measurement pipelines, datasets, and reproducible workflows.
Collaboration
Open to joint projects on AI assistant privacy, governance, and platform transparency.
Contact
Location:
Glasgow, Scotland