I am a final year PhD student in the CDT in NLP. My research focuses on privacy implications of sharing smart speakers such as Amazon Echo or Google Home. I enjoy being creative with my methods and work directly with participants. While the subject of my current research are voice assistants, I am mainly interested in the human involvement in technology.
I am part of the Technology Usability Lab in Privacy and Security (TULiPS), Computer Human AI (CHAI) Lab, and Regulations and Design (RAD) lab.
Research Interests:
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Human-Computer Interaction
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Usable Security and Privacy
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Smart Homes
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Creative and Innovative Research
PUBLICATIONS
``I am not the primary focus" - Understanding the Perspectives of Bystanders in Photos Shared Online
Yuqi Niu, Nicole Meng-Schneider, Weidong Qiu, and Nadin Kokciyan. 2025. ``I am not the primary focus" - Understanding the Perspectives of Bystanders in Photos Shared Online. In Proceedings of the 2025 CHI Conference on Human Factors in Computing Systems (CHI '25). Association for Computing Machinery, New York, NY, USA, Article 899, 1–23. https://doi.org/10.1145/3706598.3713826
Multi-User Smart Speakers - A Narrative Review of Concerns and Problematic Interactions
Nicole Meng-Schneider, Rabia Yasa Kostas, Kami Vaniea, and Maria K Wolters. 2023. Multi-User Smart Speakers - A Narrative Review of Concerns and Problematic Interactions. In Extended Abstracts of the 2023 CHI Conference on Human Factors in Computing Systems (CHI EA '23). Association for Computing Machinery, New York, NY, USA, Article 213, 1–7. https://doi.org/10.1145/3544549.3585689
Poster: Owning and Sharing: Privacy Perceptions Of Smart Speaker Users
Based on: Nicole Meng, Dilara Keküllüoğlu, and Kami Vaniea. 2021. Owning and Sharing: Privacy Perceptions of Smart Speaker Users. Proc. ACM Hum.-Comput. Interact. 5, CSCW1, Article 45 (April 2021), 29 pages. https://doi.org/10.1145/3449119
Presented at: SOUPS '22: Symposium on Usable Privacy and Security
Owning and Sharing: Privacy Perceptions Of Smart Speaker Users
Nicole Meng, Dilara Keküllüoğlu, and Kami Vaniea. 2021. Owning and Sharing: Privacy Perceptions of Smart Speaker Users. Proc. ACM Hum.-Comput. Interact. 5, CSCW1, Article 45 (April 2021), 29 pages. https://doi.org/10.1145/3449119
I Don’t Need an Expert! Making URL Phishing Features Human Comprehensible
Kholoud Althobaiti, Nicole Meng, and Kami Vaniea. 2021. I Don’t Need an Expert! Making URL Phishing Features Human Comprehensible. In Proceedings of the 2021 CHI Conference on Human Factors in Computing Systems (CHI '21). Association for Computing Machinery, New York, NY, USA, Article 695, 1–17. https://doi.org/10.1145/3411764.3445574
PROJECTS
CleverCogs
In the CleverCogs project, we explored click and user data of the CleverCogs tablet application, which provides entertainment to users with disabilities. The data set was collected over 10 months from 92 users and provided to the team by researchers of the university and representatives from CleverCogs. The project result gives high lever insights on the users as well as how the system is used.
The Friendship Explorer
The Friendship Explorer is an educational tablet game for children with Autism. It offers a safe space to practise social interactions and understand social conventions. The design is based on relevant literature, participatory design studies and expert feedback. It was evaluated in three studies and shows that the proof-of-concept project is suitable for autistic children.
Phishing Report
We created a report, which presents various features of a URL and aids the user in judging the safety of a URL. Features include the domain, search results, unexpected characters and many more. They are presented in way to allow even lay users to understand whether a URL is safe to click on or not.
Meet Alex, the Trainee
This project aims to open up a space for discussion on the future of smart speaker services and critically investigates interactions and services with smart assistance. We created Amazon’s brand-new, fictional service “Alex, the Trainee”, which allows users to teach and shape their personal assistant. We explored the kinds of scenarios this service may produce, how current problems are resolved, and which kinds of new issues are introduced.
SenseBreak
SenseBreak offers a calming escape from the busy world and noise of the Edinburgh Fringe. Visitors can immersive themselves in the relaxing environment of the tent, where they can interact with modified versions of typical irritating sounds of the festival. Changing projections and a semi-confined space offer for an immersive experience.
Alexa('s) Mirror
Alexa’s Mirror is a smart mirror that encourages self-love through positive reinforcement. In order to turn on the lights around the mirror to see oneself better, one has to compliment themselves. The light will shine brightly only for strong appreciation like ‘I am beautiful’, encouraging self-affirmation.
EDUCATION
2019 - 2025
University of Edinburgh
PhD with Integrated Study
As part of the CDT in Natural Language Processing, I am working on smart speakers like Amazon Echo or Google Home and their privacy implications when shared. My work lies at the intersection of Human-Computer Interaction and Computer Security and Privacy and draws on concepts from Psychology, Law and Design.
UKRI CDT in NLP Award (Funding until 2024)
Supervisors: Dr Kami Vaniea and Dr Maria K Wolters
2018 - 2019
University of Edinburgh
MSc Design Informatics
Following my Human-Computer Interaction interest, I deepened my knowledge of design and design research by engaging in various projects during the one-year programme.
with Distinction
Oberlander Prize in Design Informatics (MSc) - Best Dissertation
Supervisors: Dr Bettina Nissen and Dr Kami Vaniea
2015 - 2018
University of Edinburgh
BSc Computer Science
After studing the basics of Computer Science, I discovered my passion for Human-Computer Interaction. My thesis was on educational games for children with Autism.
First Class with Honours
Supervisor: Dr Helen Pain
EXPERIENCE
Professional Work Experience
Feb 2019 -
Jul 2024
Teaching Support Provider
School of Informatics/Edinburgh College of Art, University of Edinburgh
As a teaching support provider, I held various subroles for different courses, including Human-Computer Interaction (HCI), Case Studies in Design Informatics 1(CSDI), Design Informatics Project (DIP), The Human Factor: Working with Users (THF), and Usable Security and Privacy (USEC).
As a Teaching Assistant (HCI), I supported the lecturer in the development of assignments and exam questions (USEC), marking schemes, as well as in-class support and monitoring of an online support forum. As a marker (all courses), I developed marking-schemes, marked essay assignments, and noted improvements for future years. And as a tutor /mentor (DIP ,THF, HCI), I help tutorials for 10-25 students as well as supervised group projects.
Jul 2024 -
Dec 2024
University Teacher
School of Informatics, University of Edinburgh
As the primary instructor of the Human-Computer Interaction course of 135 students, I reworked the existing course structure, prepared teaching material (lecture slides, tutorial exercises as well as flipped-classroom video material) and delivered interactive, in-person lectures twice per week.
As part of the role, I also delivered weekly tutorials for the Informatics Research Skills course, which involved supporting 30+ students in finding research topics/questions, reviewing relevant literature, and writing up a scientific research paper.
Aug 2019
DI Pavilion Invigilator
Edinburgh College of Art, University of Edinburgh
As part of my role, I opened and closed the exhibition, encouraged visitors to come in, and explained the projects. I also ensured respectful interactions with artwork and helped with trouble shooting if devices malfunctioned.
Jun 2018 -
Aug 2018
Research Intern
LFCS, School of Informatics, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh
Supervised by Sam Lindley and Daniel Hillerström, I developed an application in the functional research programming language Links. I have shown that React's event handler be recreated with a specific feature in Links.
Jun 2017 -
Aug 2017
Technology Intern
Deutsche Bank, London
I divided my time between two projects. The first one introduced the agile methodology throughout the bank, which included design thinking workshops and branding work. For the second project, I developed components for an internal dashboard application.
Jun 2016 -
Sep 2016
Software Engineering Intern
Testberichte.de (Producto AG), Berlin
I have implemented a filterable keyword search based on Elasticsearch using Java and SQL with a fully functioning Angular JS test client.
Feb 2016 -
Dec 2020
Personal Tutor via WhatsApp
Duden Learnattack GmbH, Remote
I am offering support for German pupils in English and Maths via WhatsApp, including help with homework and revision.
Teaching Support
Course
Human-Computer Interaction
Position / Year
Marker
2019-2023
Tutor
2019-2023
Teaching Assistant
2019-2023
The Human Factor: Working with Users
Marker
since 2019/2020
Tutor
since 2018/2019
Case Studies in Design Informatics 1
Marker
2020/2021
Tutor
2019-2021
Usable Security and Privacy
Marker
2018 - 2020, 2022/2023
Unofficial TA
2019/2020
Design Informatics Project
Marker
2019 -2021
Mentor
2019-2021