Dr Christopher Laing

University Fellow and Programme Leader: Ethical Hacking for Computer Security

I studied Naval Architecture, Subsea Engineering and Analysis of Complex Systems at Strathclyde University in Glasgow, Heriot-Watt University in Edinburgh and Bristol University.  

Before I joined Northumbria I had been a researcher investigating the retention of non-traditional students and the use of targeted intervention – looking at those characteristics of an institution that have a strong influence on the progression of non-traditional students; identifying perceptions (both staff and student) that were helping and hindering progression; supporting non-traditional students with their adjustment to higher education; and developing tools to aid in student support.  These studies have been presented at various national and international conferences, culminating in my organisation of various teaching seminars and workshops aimed at helping teaching staff develop an understanding of, and practice in retaining non-traditional students.   

It has been acknowledged that my work on the retention of non-traditional students and the use of targeted intervention is both novel and innovative:  

“too many universities, particularly Russell ones, think that they do their bit if they take disadvantaged kids who happen to be made oven ready.  The paper shows clearly and argues forcibly how to handle those who are not, and at the same time treats the topic in a scholarly manner.”  (Anonymous Referee; Active Learning in Higher Education, 2005)  

This work has been citied in a Government report on student retention and progression (NAO- Staying the Course: The Retention of Students in Higher Education, 2008), and in the Times Higher Education 'Living the Dream', Sept 2008.

I enjoy the subject I teach and a certain amount of autonomy it gives me. My research used to support the development of teaching materials. This 'research informed teaching' approach ensures that the curriculum is up-to-date; it also ensures that not only is my teaching fully informed by the latest developments, but in some cases defines the latest developments. A research driven curriculum development is able to offer a more dynamic and fluid student learning and teaching experience - with the student at the cutting-edge of subject knowledge.

I am also currently acting as the external examiner for the European Network & Information Security Agency (ENISA) risk management & business continuity pilot study. Moreover I have undertaken several information gathering and vulnerability assessments for a number of regional businesses.  

In terms of research, my main area of interest is Web Application Security. I have been awarded funds from the HEIF Innovation Seed Fund to be used in the commercialisation of my PhD student's research on web application security.

Current research projects include:

• Self-organised criticality within genetic regulatory networks,
• The use of entity extraction, data mining & visualization in the support of computer forensics hypothesis generation,
• The development of formal methods for the prediction of security performance in complex networks.

I spend more of my spare time rebuilding my flat.