DrJack Li

(He, him)

Lecturer

Faculty of Science Engineering and Built Environment/School of Information Technology

  • Lecturer
    Faculty of Science Engineering and Built Environment/School of Information Technology
  • +61 3 522 78073 (Work)
  • Melbourne Burwood Campus, 221 Burwood Highway, Burwood, Victoria 3125

RESEARCH INTERESTS

Cybersecurity Education & Inclusion -- Bridging the technological divide through culturally responsive pedagogy.

My primary research focus lies at the intersection of technical security and inclusive education. I am a leading advocate for the decolonisation of ICT curricula, developing innovative frameworks that integrate Indigenous perspectives with computing education. By harmonising traditional knowledge systems with modern cybersecurity and entrepreneurship training, my work has demonstrably enhanced student engagement, fostered professional identity, and improved teaching satisfaction across diverse cohorts.

 

Applied IoT Security & Edge Computing -- Securing the future of interconnected ecosystems through scalable innovation.

I specialise in developing robust security architectures for the Internet of Things (IoT) and Fog/Edge computing environments. My contributions include the design of a scalable and secure IoT authentication framework and an advanced fog computing model. These research outcomes have achieved significant real-world impact through commercial application with Parks Victoria, enhancing the security and reliability of public infrastructure. My current research trajectory focuses on "Greening the Internet", exploring sustainable and inclusive digital solutions for a low-carbon future.

 

Intelligent Networking & Future Communications -- Advancing network resilience through AI-driven foresight and situational awareness.

My work in next-generation communication networks focuses on enhancing system predictability and security. I have successfully implemented AI-driven real-time latency prediction for IoT node communications, addressing critical bottlenecks in network performance. Beyond technical modelling, I provide strategic foresight into the evolution of Virtual Private Networks (VPNs), championing transitions towards application-oriented architectures, automation, and enhanced situational awareness to counter emerging cyber threats.

 

ICT Education & Digital Entrepreneurship -- Empowering the next generation of IT professionals through authentic learning.

I am committed to transforming ICT education through research-informed practice. My work explores IT innovation and entrepreneurship, the ethical integration of AI in education, and inclusive teaching methodologies. Through numerous peer-reviewed publications and conference contributions, I have influenced pedagogical shifts that prioritise both high-level technical proficiency and essential soft skills, ensuring graduates are culturally competent and industry-ready.

GRANTS

  • GRANT
    FEATURED
    Featured
    Building 6g-Ready Cyber Biosecurity Defenses
    Deakin Cyber1 Mar 2026 - 31 Dec 2026
    People funded by this grant:
  • INTERNAL GRANT
    FEATURED
    Featured
    Deakin Cyber1 Mar 2025 - 31 Dec 2025
    People funded by this grant:
    I am the PI and this project’s outcomes are expected to inform national policy on inclusive cybersecurity education. This grant has contributed to one paper publshed by the ACM SIGCSE Proceedings 2026 (flagship conference in computing education).
  • GRANT
    FEATURED
    Featured
    Indiginizing ICT Curriculum: A Starter Framework for the Community of Practice
    15 Nov 2024 - 30 Jun 2026
    People funded by this grant:
    Australasian Council of Deans of ITC ACDICT Learning and Teaching Academy (ALTA) - $15,000.00
  • CONTRACT RESEARCH
    FEATURED
    Featured
    Sharing Cybersecurity Data for Australian Research (SCReeD).
    Cyber Security Research Centre Limited - C23-00241 - $65,000.001 Jan 2024 - 31 Dec 2024
    People funded by this grant:
    On behalf of Deakin, I uploaded our cybersecurity data set for sharing, which will help community to gain more insights from real world data.
  • PRIZE / AWARD
    Jim and Alison Leslie Award for Outstanding Achievement in Teaching and Learning
    1 Jan 2026 - 31 Dec 2026
    People funded by this grant:
    • Li J
  • GRANT
    Travel Grants
    1 Jul 2025
    Since 2023, I have secured approximately $14,000 in travel grants from the School of IT, the Faculty of SEBE, and the Deakin Global Engagement Fund, plus an additional $6,000 from ACDICT and MDPI.
  • INTERNAL GRANT
    A Closed-Loop Differential Game Decision-Making Framework for Cyber Propaganda Mitigation
    Deakin Cyber Collaboration Grants Scheme 20251 Jan 2025
    People funded by this grant:
    • Yang L,
    • Li J,
    • Zhu Y
    The work will set out a closed-loop control strategy for counter-propaganda and is positioned to attract follow-on funding and further high-impact publications
  • CONTRACT RESEARCH
    Socrates: Software Security with a focus on critical technologies.
    1 Jan 2024 - 31 Dec 2024
    People funded by this grant:
    Cyber Security Research Centre Limited - C21-00267 - $120,978.00
  • INTERNAL GRANT
    Enhance learning experience of IT Innovation Unit for regional students
    Dean of Students1 Apr 2022 - 31 Oct 2022
    People funded by this grant:
    Recognising a significant engagement gap between ICT and business students, I led an initiative to enhance the learning experience for IT students enrolled in business units, with a specific focus on rural and regional cohorts. By integrating rural-specific case studies and collaborating closely with teaching staff, we achieved a transformative increase in student satisfaction for the IT Innovation unit—climbing from 33% in 2022 to 93% in 2025. This project served as the foundation for my computing education research, resulting in a Core A conference paper and a successful ALTA external grant.