My primary research areas are Natural Language Processing (NLP) and Cyber Security, with a particular focus on developing solutions to the problems associated with the vast amounts of textual data in online settings; for example, deception and multiple personae detection techniques to assist in countering the use of fake profiles for nefarious purposes. The noisy characteristics of online texts, e.g. the abundance of irregular language and its multi-lingual nature, pose significant barriers to many NLP methods. A primary aim of my research is to build robust NLP tools which are able to cope with, and take advantage of, these features. Relatedly, I am interested in developing machine learning techniques and other technologies which assist users in making informed decisions, such as for forensic investigations, or for crisis management.

Natural Language Processing, Authorship analysis, Spelling Variation

Academic Qualifications:

Ph.D. Computer Science (Lancaster University, UK)

B.Sc. (Hons) Computer Science (Lancaster University, UK)

Employment:

Lecturer, Lancaster University, 2016 - present

Faculty Research Fellow, Lancaster University, 2012 - 2016

Research Assistant, Lancaster University, 2009 - 2012

Dr. Alistair Baron is a lecturer in the School of Computing and Communications. His research and teaching are in the area of Data Science and Cyber Security. He has previously held several research posts on a variety of projects in the areas of natural language processing (dealing with noisy unstructured text, content analysis, text classification and machine learning) and security (online child protection and the language of extremism). He was a Security Lancaster Research Fellow, in which he conducted research involving using NLP techniques in a cyber-security setting, bringing cutting-edge NLP research into real-word security applications. His lectureship continues this research, primarily focused on developing solutions for problems associated with online communities (bulletin boards, forums), social networks (Facebook, Twitter) and instant messaging services (Skype, MSN), and developing techniques which assist users in making informed decisions, such as for forensic investigations, or for crisis management.

Applied Data Mining (SCC.413)

Director of Studies (PGR), School of Computing and Communications