Maša has experience working as a researcher at an organisation focused on violence prevention in South Africa, where she became interested in young people’s experiences of online aggression. Her PhD research focused on cyberaggression, cyberbullying and other online risk experiences among adolescents (such as sexting, exposure to harmful content, and contact with strangers) in the UK and South Africa. She completed her PhD at The University of Buckingham in 2016.
During her PhD, Maša was a visiting lecturer in Psychology and became a full-time lecturer in the Department in January 2017. She teaches the core Developmental and Social Psychology modules. She also developed and teaches the Cyberpsychology module offered as an option module at the University, and is Programme Director for the MSc (research) in Cyberpsychology. Her primary research interest is in exploring behaviours, motivations, psychological processes and the impact of technology on individuals both online and offline. Her current work centres on young people’s online risk behaviours, experiences and perceptions, particularly in the context of cyberaggression and cyberbullying. She also examines parental and school mediation strategies in relation to technology use, and works with a number of schools and organisations to implement effective online safety interventions in both the UK and abroad.
Maša is a Member and Contributor for Apolitical.co. You can read her latest op-ed for Apolitical here.
Key Publications
Popovac, M. & Hadlington, L. (2019). Exploring the role of egocentrism and fear of missing out on online risk behaviours among adolescents in South Africa. International Journal of Adolescence and Youth, Available Open Access: https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/02673843.2019.1617171
Hadlington, L., Popovac, M., Janicke, H., Yevseyeva, I., & Jones, K. (2019). Exploring the role of work identity and work locus of control in information security awareness. Computers & Security, 81, 41-48.
Popovac, M. & Fullwood, C. (2018). The Psychology of Online Lurking. The Oxford Handbook of Cyberpsychology. Oxford University Press.
Popovac, M. & Fine, P. (2017). An Intervention using the Information-Motivation-Behavioural Skills Model: Tackling Cyberaggression and Cyberbullying in South African Adolescents. In Campbell, M. & Bauman, S. Reducing Cyberbullying in Schools: International Evidence-Based Best Practices. Elsevier: USA.
Popovac, M. (2017). Beyond the School Gates: Experiences of Cyberaggression and Cyberbullying among Adolescents in the UK. Technical Report by The University of Buckingham and Sir John Cass’s Foundation.
Popovac, M. & Leoschut, L. (2012). Cyberbullying in South Africa: Impact and Responses. Centre for Justice and Crime Prevention, Issue Paper No. 13. Available Online: http://www.cjcp.org.za/uploads/2/7/8/4/27845461/issuepaper13-cyberbullying-sa-impact_responses.pdf
Conference presentations
Popovac, M. & Eldred, A. (June 2019). “Interpersonal online risks: Exploring the dual systems model, personality and the fear of missing out”. 24th Annual Cyberpsychology, Cybertherapy and Social Networking Conference, Norfolk, Virginia.
Popovac, M. & Gill, A.S. (June 2018). “How severe is cyberbullying? An exploration of adults’ perceptions of severity and the role of gender, age, time spent online and reported cyberbullying experiences as victims, witnesses and perpetrators”, 23rd Annual Cyberpsychology, Cybertherapy and Social Networking Conference, Ottawa, Canada.
Hadlington, L. & Popovac, M. (June 2018). “Exploring the role of Egocentrism and Fear of Missing Out on Knowledge, Attitudes and Behaviours relating to Cybersecurity and Online Risks among 11-15 year olds in the UK”, NSPCC Annual Conference ‘Growing Up Online’, London, UK.
Popovac, M. (June 2018). “Cyberbullying and mental health of young people”, Festival of Higher Education, Buckingham, UK.
Popovac, M. & Roomaney, R. (June 2018). “Developing a measure to explore Online Support Seeking among Adults”, European Society for Health and Medical Sociology, Lisbon, Portugal.
Popovac, M. & Fine, P. (June 2017), “A cyberbullying intervention using the Information-Motivation-Behavioural Skills Model: A pilot study among South African adolescents”, 22nd Annual Cyberpsychology, Cybertherapy and Social Networking Conference, Wolverhampton, UK.
Popovac, M. & Fine, P. (May 2017), “Online and offline experiences of aggression and bullying among adolescents in the United Kingdom and South Africa”, World Anti-Bullying Forum, Stockholm, Sweden.
Popovac, M. & Fine, P. (May 2017), “Cyberbullying, online risks and parental mediation: A comparison between adolescent reports and parent perceptions in the United Kingdom and South Africa”, World Anti-Bullying Forum, Stockholm, Sweden.
Popovac, M. & Fine, P. (June 2017), “Addressing cyberbullying among adolescents”, IPEN Conference, London, UK.
Popovac, M. & Fine, P. (April 2017), “Understanding adolescents’ online risk and cyberbullying experiences: Current issues and the way forward”, Keynote Address, Cyberpsychology Research and the University of Wolverhampton Research Group, Wolverhampton, United Kingdom.
Popovac, M. & Fine, P. (June 2016), “Cyberbullying, online risks and parental mediation: A comparison between adolescent reports and parent perceptions in the United Kingdom and South Africa”, 21st Annual Cyberpsychology, Cybertherapy and Social Networking Conference, Dun Laoghaire, Ireland.
Popovac, M. & Fine, P. (April 2016), “Cyberbullying, online risks and parental mediation: A comparison between adolescent reports and parent perceptions in the United Kingdom and South Africa”, Cyberbullying: A Challenge for Researchers and Practitioners – Prevention and Intervention, Gothenburg, Sweden.
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