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School of Electronic Engineering and Computer Science
  1. School of Electronic Engineering and Computer Science
  2. About Us
  3. Equality, Diversity and Inclusion
  4. Women in Computer Science and Electronic Engineering
  5. Michaela MacDonald

Michaela MacDonald

Dr Michaela MacDonald

Lecturer, Joint Programme (BUPT), EECS; Teaching Fellow, CCLS

Dr Michaela MacDonald

Tell us about your work 

I am currently Lecturer at EECS and Teaching Fellow at CCLS. My teaching covers subjects such as Product Development and Management, Interactive Entertainment Law, AI, Robotics and the Law, and Cybersecurity Law, across the undergraduate, LLM and distance learning programmes, in Beijing, London and Brno (Czech Republic). During my postgraduate studies, I started investigating the impact of laws, social norms and environmental constraints, especially in Cyberspace, on users’ behaviour and their interactions. I am interested in understanding how to design systems that foster positive aspects of social interaction and how to create laws that focus mainly on the human, much less on the machine. In my PhD (Queen Mary University), I built a case for virtual property – a concept of property rights in virtual assets, which aims to address the legal distinction between virtual assets and their physical counterparts and provide redress for players in situations such as loss, theft, or bequest of their virtual items. 

Tell us how you got into Electronic Engineering?  

I started teaching on the Joint Programme with BUPT in 2016 and when a permanent position became available, I didn’t hesitate. I deliver non-technical subjects to engineering students, including Product development and management, and Cybersecurity law. As the social fabric of our society is increasingly shaped by emerging and disruptive technologies, I believe it is crucial that we embrace an interdisciplinary approach to our research and teaching.

What brought you to Queen Mary?  

I joined the Queen Mary community as a PhD student at the Centre for Commercial Law Studies (CCLS) in 2009. Throughout the years, I have gained a varied experience in a number of different posts, from a Teaching Assistant, Research Assistant, to e-learning and Open Access Associate.

What’s the best thing about your work?  

The interaction with people and the intellectual challenges it brings every day. I never planned to become an academic, but since I have embarked on this path, I have been enjoying the experience. It’s really about the people – the colleagues, mentors, friends and students I have met throughout my years at Queen Mary, have become an integral part of my life.

When not at EECS, what are your interests?

I love cycling and cooking, especially if I am trying out something new. I do Pilates and yoga to stay sane. I enjoy reading crime fiction and historical novels, and watching action movies, blood and gore is welcome. Listening to music and spending time with my friends and close family keeps me happy. I miss travelling, for work or leisure – next time I am staying in a hotel, I will shed tears of joy.

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