Prof Mary Aiken has been conferred with the Honorary Freedom of Dublin City for her work in the areas of cyberpsychology and online safety.

The award is the highest honour that the city can bestow on an individual. Aiken was conferred at a ceremony on Saturday (11 June) alongside Olympic Champion boxer Kellie Harrington and activist Ailbhe Smyth.

The Cork-born cyberpsychologist moved to Dublin at a young age. She is internationally renowned for her work and routinely advises in policy debates at the intersection of technology and human behaviour.

Aiken holds senior academic posts in Dublin, the US and other international locations. She is a member of the Interpol Global Cybercrime Expert Group and is an academic advisor to Europol’s European Cyber Crime Centre (EC3).

In 2014, Aiken was listed in Ireland’s top 100 women in the STEM knowledge economy. In 2017, she was inducted into the Infosecurity Europe Hall of Fame in recognition of her contribution to the information and cybersecurity sector.

The same year, she co-led the Irish Digital Age of Consent campaign. Today, she advises on the current Irish Online Safety and Media Regulation Bill while advocating a safer online environment for young people in Ireland.

As recipients of the Freedom of Dublin City, Aiken and her fellow awardees, Harrington and Smyth, join a list of less than 100 past honourees.

The award has been bestowed on 83 people, including past presidents, sports people and activists. Former chief medical officer Prof Tony Holohan was one of the last people to receive the award. He was conferred in June 2021.

Aiken said that she was honoured to be considered “in the same roll call as JFK, Nelson Mandela and Mother Theresa.”

“I am equally honoured to be in the company of strong, pioneering female representatives of Ireland’s recent past, present and future.”

“However, I don’t view this as an award for personal endeavour. I am delighted that it highlights the science and work focused on creating a safer and more secure cyberspace,” she added.

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