John McAlaney

A new year's day walk along the cliff, featuring one of the cliff goats.

At the GamnleAware conference in London. Looking forward to some interesting discussions on the future of gambling treatment and research for my @gamresearchbu.bsky.social and @gordonmoodyorg.bsky.social roles.

Rage bait: the psychology behind social media’s angriest posts How not to get drawn in by rage bait.

Seen something on here that enrages you? In my The Conversation article I talk about the psychology of rage bait and how to empower yourself to avoid being upset by it - theconversation.com/rage-bait-th...

Children as young as seven caught hacking - as former cybercriminals warn 'it's mainstream now' The Money team reveals children as young as seven are being referred to Britain's national cybercrime intervention programme. Former hackers jailed for stealing millions warn parents it's easier than ...

Is hacking becoming mainstream? An interesting discussion on the Sky News website that I was pleased to be able to contribute to.
news.sky.com/story/childr...

YouTube video by matanane.scharpho He Waited All Year Just for This Tree.🎄#cat #funny #kitty #christmas #cats #funnypets #pets

It's time.
www.youtube.com/shorts/yXr_8...

‘Sometimes it’s easier to seek support in the wrong places’: LGBTQIA+ individuals’ experiences of gambling harms Sexual and gender minority individuals face disproportionate mental health challenges, yet little is known about their experiences of gambling-related harm. This qualitative study explored the live...

An article on gambling harms in LGBTQIA+ populations by several Gambling Research Group members and led by Dr Reece Bush-Evans is now available at www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10....

Another nice day in Bournemouth.

LGBTQIA+ Experiences of Gambling-Related Harms Exploring LGBTQIA+ gambling harm: research, lived experience voices, global insights & a collaborative think-tank for inclusive solutions.

Our @bournemouthuni.bsky.social Gambling Research Group will be hosting an event entitled Addressing Gambling Harms in LGBTQIA+ Communities at the Highcliffe Marriot on the 24th of Nov. Everyone is welcome to attend - attendance is free but please register to attend using the link below.

Back at the BIC for The Rest Is Politics live show, and very happy to hear a shout out from Rory Stewart of @bournemouthuni.bsky.social being an 'incredible' university.

Goldeneye is on TV. I find it quite difficult to watch that movie without holding a N64 controller.

A great today applauding our @bournemouthuni.bsky.social students as they walked across the stage at graduation.

Today we are at the Dolphin Centre in Poole for our event 'Fast Cash, Hidden Costs', where we are presenting our work on the risks associated with matched betting. We are very pleased to be joined by our colleagues from ARA Recovery for All. Stop by and say hello if you are passing.

Our matched betting event takes place this Sunday.

I spoke to BBC Radio Solent this morning about the impact of the clocks going back on Sunday, and how these shared experiences can help us all relate to each other in what can feel like a complicated world. Unfortunately I know that my cat will wake me up early on Sunday anyway.

Members of the Gambling Research Group attended the Bristol Hub for Gambling Harms Research Colloquium yesterday, where we shared our own and listened to a range of interesting and insightful talks. Our thanks also to people in attendance who shared their own lived experiences.

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

Having wanted one for years, I finally have a KITT. The only AI I feel that I can completely trust.

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.

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.

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.

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

'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...

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.

First day of annual leave, so naturally, I had to have lunch on the beach.

Enjoying the #bournefree Pride event, despite the risk of bursting into flames from the heat.

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.

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.

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

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.

YouTube video by tomtscotland Caledonia - Homecoming Scotland 2009 advert (H.Q.)

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...

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.