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Staff Profile

Becca Owens

RA in Law

  • Email: becca.owens@ncl.ac.uk
  • Address: Newcastle Law School
    19-24 Windsor Terrace
    Newcastle University
    NE1 7RU
Background

Rebecca is a Research Associate on the EPSRC-funded AGENCY project at Newcastle University. On this project, she collaborates with a cross-functional team to advise on digital policies, conduct empirical and socio-technical research, and develop new technology to empower users.


Rebecca joined Newcastle Law School in September 2022, bringing a passion for interdisciplinary socio-technical research. She recently led the Newcastle University team at the FCA's Financial Inclusion TechSprint, where she worked on the UX design of a product to empower users when interacting with complex terms and conditions.


She is in the final stages of her PhD in Intellectual Property and Competition Law at the University of Liverpool. Where she also earned her LLM (with Distinction) and LLB (Hons).


Rebecca's research has been supported by several highly competitive scholarships and funding totalling over £100,000, including:


  • John Lennon Memorial Scholarship from the University of Liverpool fully funded her master's research.
  • Sir Joseph Rotblat Alumni Scholarship for the University of Liverpool to fully fund her doctoral research.
  • Funds for Women Graduates Main Foundation Award to support her doctoral research.
  • ESRC Impact Acceleration Award to further develop a financial inclusion product.


Recognised as a rising star in socio-technical cyber security, Rebecca holds a Research Institute of Socio-Technical Cyber Security Associate Fellowship and is a former Newcastle University Policy Academy Fellow.

Research

Research Overview


Rebecca’s research champions digital citizen agency. She investigates the intersection of law and emerging technologies, exploring how legal frameworks can be adapted to empower users against complex, unintended online harms.


A Pioneering Approach: Rebecca employs cutting-edge socio-technical methodologies and empirical research to bridge the gap between legal theory and practice. This innovative approach drives her work in critical areas such as cyber law, privacy, and financial inclusion. It has led to her recognition as a rising star in socio-technical cybersecurity research by the Research Institute of Socio-Technical Cyber-Security.


Significant Impact: Rebecca’s dedication is reflected in her peer-reviewed publications, invited talks, and £100,000 of research funding. Highlights include:


  • The creation of new technologies designed to empower users and enhance digital agency.
  • Participating in the FCA's Financial Inclusion TechSprint.
  • Leading an ESRC Festival of Social Science event to empower users with their data rights.



 

Publications