Meet Sophie Maddocks, PhD

Expert on Cyber-Sexual Abuse

Dr. Sophie Maddocks is an expert on cyber-sexual abuse with 13 years of experience working to advance digital rights across schools, universities, and non-profits. As a former high school teacher, guidance counselor, and youth worker, Sophie is passionate about collaborating across communities to help young people navigate their lives online. You can find Sophie’s research on image-based sexual abuse, deepfakes, and online harassment in many academic journals and edited volumes. Sophie has written for MSNBC News and Psychology Today, appeared on ABC News, and featured in the Washington Post, Wired, Forbes, and other news outlets. She has also consulted for government agencies and tech companies, including Meta. 

Sophie holds a PhD from the University of Pennsylvania, an MA from The New School where she was a Fulbright Scholar, a PGCE from the University of Warwick, and a BA from the University of Cambridge. Sophie was the first person in her household to attend university, and she is passionate about improving access, retention, and career advancement for first-generation college students.  Currently serving as the Director of Research and Outreach at the Center for Media at Risk, Sophie collaborates with researchers, industry professionals, youth, survivors, activists, and educators to build more equitable media environments.