Hi, I am Dr Chidimma (Chi) Opara
I am a Lecturer in Computer Science at the School of Computing, Engineering & Digital Technologies, Teesside University, Middlesbrough, UK. I hold a PhD in Computing Science from Teesside University, an MSc in Network and Information Security from Kingston University, London, and a BSc in Computer Science from the Federal University of Technology Owerri, Nigeria.
Back when I was a schoolkid, I used to huddle beside our family’s old desktop computer, one of those clunky machines that took ages to boot up. Even then, I could see how powerful computers could be, especially for people who might not always get a fair shot. But I also noticed the risks of the pop-ups, the scams, the unknowns lurking just a click away. That stuck with me. It sparked something bigger: a drive to make the online world not just smarter, but safer and more inclusive for everyone.
This passion led me to the UK to pursue advanced study in cybersecurity and artificial intelligence. Today, I combine that foundation with a love for teaching, research, and mentorship, ensuring students, particularly from underrepresented backgrounds, have the tools and confidence to thrive in tech.
When I am not working, I enjoy dancing, and Zumba classes at the Teesside University gym are my go-to for fun and fitness.
Summary of Research Interests
My research lies at the intersection of artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, education, and legal frameworks. I am particularly interested in how AI-generated content can be distinguished from human-authored text, using psycholinguistic theories, stylometric methods, and deep learning models.
I also explore web security, phishing detection, and the ethical and legal implications of emerging technologies in education and online environments.
👉 Please check out my publications. and my Teaching Portfolio.
Funding and Awards
Receiving a doctoral scholarship from the Petroleum Technology Development Fund (PTDF) was a life-changing milestone. It enabled me to complete my PhD, conduct impactful research, present at international conferences, and collaborate across borders.
Since then, I have continued to lead and contribute to funded research projects, gaining valuable experience as a Principal Investigator and collaborator on multi-institutional bids.
Selected Honours & Awards:
- 🏆 1st Prize, Oral Presentation, Research Week 2018, Teesside University
- 🥇 1st Prize, 3-Minute Thesis (3MT), Teesside Research Week 2021
- 🥈 2nd Prize, 3MT Regional Competition 2022
- 🌟 Nominated for Teesside University Star Awards for Outstanding Teaching (2024 & 2025)
- 💼 PTDF Doctoral Scholarship (£116,000)
- 🧠 PI, CyberASAP (2025), Innovate UK (£32,000)
- 📊 PI, UKRI Data Sandpit for Metascience (2024)
- ✈️ Travel Grant for AIED 2025 Conference, Palermo, Italy (£1,200)
- 🏅 Nominated for Best Late-Breaking Paper, AIED 2024
- EPSRC Peer Review College Member
Outreach and Public Engagement
Reviewer Roles: Served as a reviewer for journals and conferences, including Expert Systems with Applications, IJCNN, IEEE Access, Automatika, and AIED.
Presentations and Workshops:
- Presented at national and international platforms such as IJCNN and the International Conference on Hybrid Intelligent Systems.
- Led workshops including UCAS Teesside – Cyber Forensics and Women in STEM, promoting inclusivity and STEM engagement.
- International Women’s Day as part of our PhD Spotlight Sessions!
- Women In STEM@SCEDT – Research Talks
PhD and Research Opportunities
I am keen to mentor PhD students with interests in:
- Deep learning applications in text and cybersecurity
- Stylometry and detection of AI-generated content
- Web security and phishing detection
- Social engineering and user behaviour analytics
