Marcus Thinks

about_marcus.exe

// Family

I live in Scotland with my partner, our nine-year-old Noah, who is already taking things apart to see how they work, and five-year-old Nina, who makes friends everywhere she goes and has never once run out of things to say.

// Work

I work at the intersection of technology and harm. That means helping organisations — from law enforcement and regulators to NGOs and tech companies — use technology better to protect vulnerable people. My specialist areas are children's online safety and tech-enabled violence against women and girls. It's serious work, and I care about it deeply.

// Play

Outside of work, Scotland is my playground. I cycle, sail, canoe, and wild swim more than is probably reasonable, and I'll take a doorstep adventure over a long-haul flight any day.

At home, I host Noah's Dungeons & Dragons club, which is exactly as chaotic as it sounds. When the kids are in bed, it's strategy games with friends or an epic fantasy or historical fiction book. I was a three-time BUCS archery champion at university, which is either impressive or a very specific kind of nerd. Probably both.

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career_highlights.exe

// Who

Senior Consultant at PA Consulting, based in Glasgow. I help organisations prepare for the pace and proliferation of technology — with a focus on reducing harm to people. My clients span law enforcement, regulators, NGOs, and the private sector.

// Mission

Creating a child-safe online space for education, fun, and friendship. I work at the intersection of online safety, child protection, and platform accountability — as both a professional and a father.

// Highlights

Online Safety & Child Protection

NSPCC • Coimisiún na Meán • Safe Online (UN) • Ofcom

Led NSPCC "abusability" studies across ten platforms used by girls in the UK — examining how design features enable malicious actors to target young users. Recommendations adopted in Ofcom's VAWG codes. Authored research informing Europe's Online Safety Codes. Convened global stakeholders for the UN on child sexual exploitation data ecosystems.

Technology & Digital Strategy

UK Law Enforcement • Mission Aviation Fellowship • City of Dublin ETB

Developed a 3-year technology strategy for a national intelligence function — underpinning a successful £20m Home Office funding bid. Created digital transformation strategies and five-year roadmaps for organisations from aviation charities to major educational institutions.

Trust & Safety

Airbnb • UK Law Enforcement

Partnered with Airbnb's Trust & Safety team to build a strategic case for change. Designed career progression frameworks across the national policing network for analysts and researchers.

// Credentials

MEng (Hons) Civil Engineering, University of Edinburgh • AWS Cloud Practitioner

View full profile on LinkedIn →

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