Centre for Human Factors and Systems Science

A systems thinking approach to address technology-facilitated abuse in the context of intimate partner violence

Nicole is a PhD Candidate at the Centre for Human Factors and Systems Science, with additional supervision provided through the Sexual Violence Research and Prevention Unit at the University of the Sunshine Coast. Her PhD involves the application of systems thinking-based approaches to address technology-facilitated coercive control in the context of intimate partner violence. The program is supported by a Research Training Program scholarship.

Nicole graduated with a Bachelor of Psychology (Hons), Class I from the University of the Sunshine Coast in 2022, where she also received a Student Leadership Award and a Commendation for Academic Excellence.

In addition to her PhD studies, Nicole has worked as a research assistant at the Centre since February 2018, where she has had the opportunity to work on a number of research projects, involving Human Factors in transport safety and healthcare. Prior to commencing her undergraduate studies, Nicole worked and volunteered for various community organisations, providing services to victims of domestic violence and vulnerable members of the community.

Nicole has a keen interest in issues of women’s rights and gender equity and is an advocate for access to education for women and girls. Her specific research interest is in addressing the systemic and structural gender imbalances that enable and sustain violence against women and children. Her PhD research aims to apply a systems thinking approach to optimise the identification and prevention of technology-facilitated coercive control and provide evidence for novel interventions to support policy and practice change in this area.

If you would like to discuss any of these interests with Nicole, please contact her on: nicole.liddell@research.usc.edu.au

Publications:

Liddell, N. T., McKillop, N., Salmon, P., Read, G. J. M. (2025). What influences technology-facilitated abuse? A Scoping review. [Manuscript submitted for publication].

Liddell, N. T., Salmon, P. M., Naweed, A., & Read, G. J. M. (2025). Acute stress and train driver performance: A systems thinking approach to understanding rail stakeholder perceptions.[Manuscript submitted for publication]

Liddell, N. T., Salmon, P. M., Naweed, A., & Read, G. J. M. (2024). Perceived impacts of stressful events on train driver performance. Applied Ergonomics, 120, 104335.

Read, G., Liddell, N., Sauer, P., & Salmon, P. (2023). Design induced non-compliance: Influences on pedestrian and cyclist behaviour at level crossings. Contemporary Ergonomics & Human Factors 2023, 225-227.