Role Model: Dr. Styliani Kleanthous

Personal Details  

Expertise  

  • Your role/job title: Assistant Professor
  • ​​Company name: Open University of Cyprus
  • What is your field of expertise? My main expertise lies in Human–AI Interaction, focusing on how humans and AI systems can collaborate effectively to achieve optimal outcomes. My research draws on psychological and social theories to design AI systems that empower users in everyday decision-making by offering personalized and human-centered support. In this line of work, I also leads the development of interactive tools for collecting user interaction data and for raising awareness about the capabilities and limitations of AI technologies. The main research areas I work on include Human–AI Interaction, Human-Centered AI, Explainable AI (XAI), user and community modeling, personalization and adaptive systems, as well as fairness in AI.

Introduction

Please tell us a few things about yourself. 

I am currently an Assistant Professor in Human-AI Interaction at the Open University of Cyprus and a co-director of the Cyprus Center for Trustworthy AI, CyCAT at OUC. Previously, I was a research team leader at the CYENS CoE, co-leading the fAIre – Fairness and Ethics in AI-Human Interaction team. I hold a Ph.D. in Computer Science from the University of Leeds, UK, and an MSc. in Information Systems from the University of Salford, UK. I serve as a senior committee member in highly ranked international conferences such as ACM User Modeling, Adaptation and Personalization (UMAP) and ACM Intelligent User Interfaces (IUI), and as a program committee member in others including ACM Computer Supported Cooperative Work and Social Computing (CSCW). I serve as General Chair of ACM IUIConference in 2026 and served a chair at the ACM UMAP 2023. Working with young researchers is a very important role for me and I am serving as a Doctoral Consortium Chair of ACM IUI 2027 and ACM UMAP 2024. I am currently the program manager for Women4Cyber Youth Ambassadors, mentoring young women in their career prospects and I am a member of CEPIS, DiversIT, promoting and supporting women in ICT. I have published over 50 articles in scientific venues and actively contribute to the research community by serving on program committees and editorial boards of leading conferences and journals.

Inspiration

What motivated you to enter the cybersecurity field, and how can we make that journey more accessible and visible to young women today? 

As a computer science student, I found the challenges of software engineering particularly compelling. However, by the time I graduated, I had come to recognize that technology alone is not always the solution. People play a fundamental role in the effectiveness and efficiency of any information system. This realization naturally led me to explore the human factors involved in interactions with technology. Consequently, I pursued research in Community Modelling, Personalization, and Adaptive User Support for my PhD, within the broader field of Human–Computer Interaction.  

Career Growth

Beyond technical knowledge, which soft skills - such as teamwork, problem-solving, or ethical awareness - are most valuable in your day-to-day work? 

Being open-minded, curious, and attentive to everyday experiences is essential for a successful research career. Such experiences often inspire research projects that have meaningful real-world impact. Strong organizational and time management skills are equally important, as are well-developed interpersonal skills.

​​​Work-Life Balance

How do you manage the demands of career and personal life?

Family has always been a priority for me, and I place great importance on spending quality time with them while meeting the demands of academic life. I believe that strong organizational skills are essential in maintaining this balance.

​​​Personal motive

What’s your personal motto, or favourite motivational quote, that can also inspire the younger generation to follow studies and a career in an ICT / Cybersecurity field? 

Growth comes from trying, even when you fail. If you never take the chance, you’ll never know the heights you’re capable of reaching.

Future

Which emerging areas in cybersecurity, such as AI security, data protection, or social engineering, will be most relevant for the next generation of professionals entering the field? And what role can gender diversity and inclusion play? 

To create technologies that serve all people equally, we must ensure that they are created by groups that truly represent the whole of society.
The future of AI technologies will be largely determined by who is at the creation table. And empowering women in this field is one of the most important steps we can take for a fair, responsible and humane technological development.

Downloads:

- Dr. Styliani Kleanthous Role Model Poster

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