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Annamaria Szakonyi, Ph.D.

Assistant Professor

Courses Taught

Information Systems, Cybersecurity

Education

Ph.D. Public and Social Policy with Geospatial Science (GIS) Concentration, Research Methodology Graduate Minor, Saint Louis University, 2022
M.A. Information Technology Management, Webster University, 2012
M.A. Media Communications, Webster University, 2012
M.S. with Distinction in Applied Management with emphasis in Finance (MBA equivalent), Middlesex University (London, UK), 2010
M.S. Leadership and Management with emphasis in Finance (MBA equivalent), University of Pecs (Pecs, Hungary), 2010
M.A. Communication & Journalism, Institut des Relations Publiques et de la Communication - IRCOM (Angers, France), 2008
B.S. Economics with emphasis in International Relations and Economic Diplomacy, Budapest Business School (Budapest, Hungary), 2007

Research Interests

Professor Szakonyi's research uses technology, data and policy to solve important social problems with a focus on: 
- Technology for social impact. 
- Technology, AI and big data against human trafficking and the exploitation of women and children. 
- Technology policy and ethics. 
- Bias in AI and machine learning. 
- Women and diversity & inclusion in technology. 
- Democratization of technology and cybersecurity.

Publications and Media Placements

Szakonyi, A., Chellasamy, H., & Dawson, M. (2024). Russia’s strategies for leveraging AI policies and investments for global economic competitiveness. MWAIS 2024 Proceedings. https://aisel.aisnet.org/mwais2024/12

Dawson, M., Szakonyi, A., & Walker, D. (2024). Enriching higher education: Bridging borders through international experiences and ICT learning. MWAIS 2024 Proceedings. https://aisel.aisnet.org/mwais2024/9

Weber, M., Szakonyi, A., Cardona,T., & Singh, D. (2024). Ethical considerations in embracing generative AI in higher education. Journal of Computing Sciences in Colleges, 39(6), 118–119. https://dl.acm.org/doi/abs/10.5555/3665464.3665481 

Rubbelke, N. (2023, September 14). STL Startup Week returns as it revives long-standing startup showcase event. St. Louis Business Journal, ST.LOUISINNO. https://www.bizjournals.com/stlouis/inno/stories/news/2023/09/14/stl-startup-week-2023-startup-connection.html

Tenacity. (2023). St. Louis events: Week of September 18, 2023 – Startups, AI, tech & marketing. Tenacity.io. https://tenacity.io/blog/st-louis-events-week-of-september-18-2023-startups-ai-tech-marketing/

Lutenegger, E. (2023, September 22). STL Startup Week Day 4 didn't disappoint. [Post]. LinkedIn. https://www.linkedin.com/posts/eriklutenegger_stl-startup-week-day-4-didnt-disappoint-activity-7110967891646152704-2X5I?utm_source=share&utm_medium=member_android

Szakonyi, A., Chellasamy, H., Vassilakos, A., & Dawson, M. (2021). Using technologies to uncover patterns in human trafficking. In Latifi, S. (Eds), ITNG 2021 18th International Conference on Information Technology-New Generations. Advances in Intelligent Systems and Computing, Vol. 1346 (pp. 497-502). Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-70416-2_64

Delta 8.7. (2021). Delta 8.7 markets policy guide. United Nations University, Centre for Policy Research. https://unu.edu/sites/default/files/2023-08/UNU_MarketsPolicyGuide_FINAL_WEB.pdf 

Szakonyi, A., Dawson, M., Chellasamy, H., & Vassilakos, A. (2021). Non-traditional education to advance women in computing careers in the St. Louis metro region. In Klinger, T., Kollmitzer, C., & Pester, A. (Eds.), Proceedings of the 2021 IEEE Global Engineering Education Conference (EDUCON2021) (pp. 1093-1097). IEEE. 10.1109/EDUCON46332.2021.9454075

Szakonyi, A., Leonard, B. & Dawson, M. (2021). Dark web: A breeding ground for ID theft and financial crimes. In Rafay, A. (Eds.), Handbook of research on theory and practice of financial crimes (pp. 506-524). IGI Global. DOI: 10.4018/978-1-7998-5567-5.ch025

Dawson, M. & Szakonyi, A. (2020). Cybersecurity education to create awareness in artificial intelligence applications for developers and end users. Scientific Bulletin, 25(2), 85-92. https://doi.org/10.2478/bsaft-2020-0012

Honors and Awards

Inaugural Geospatial Research and Innovation Award, Saint Louis University (May 2022). 
3rd place, GSA Research Symposium, Social Sciences Category, Saint Louis University (Apr 2021). 
Summa Cum Laude academic distinction, Webster University (May 2012). 
Lifelong membership award, Delta Mu Delta International Honor Society in Business (May 2011). 
Fully funded ($80,000+) academic scholarship, Hungarian-Missouri Educational Partnership (Aug 2010 - May 2012). 
Summa Cum Laude academic distinction, Middlesex University & University of Pecs (Jun 2010). 
Best student award, University of Pecs (Jun 2010). 
Presidential Academic Scholarship, the Republic of Hungary (May 2009). 
Fully funded academic scholarship, the Republic of France, Pays de la Loire Region (Aug 2007). 
Fully funded Erasmus Scholarship, European Commission (Sep 2006).

Professional Organizations and Associations

Association for Information Systems (AIS)

Community Work and Service

Faculty Mentor, Women in Cybersecurity (WiCyS) Chapter, Saint Louis University (Aug 2023 - Present). 
Advisory Board Member, Illinois Institute of Technology, Center for Cyber Security and Forensics Education (C2SAFE) (Aug 2023 - Present). 
Advisory Board Member, SecureWorld Cybersecurity conference (Sep 2023 - Present). 
Steering Committee Member, Human Trafficking Collaborative Network (HTCN) (Jul 2023 - Present). 
Research Team Member, National Science Foundation, Grant No. 2039678 (Jul 2021 - Present). 
Founding Fellow & Training Facilitator, CyberAmbassadors Program (Jul 2019 - Present). 
IT Career and Leadership Coach (May 2017 - Present).
Conference Session Chair, 15th International Conference on IHCI-2023 (Daegu, Korea). (Nov 2023).
Markets Working Group Member, Delta 8.7 Policy Guides, United Nations (Sep 2020 - May 2021). 
Executive Committee Member, St. Louis Women in Tech Exchange (Mar 2019 – Jan 2021). 
Digital Strategy Chair, International Faculty and Staff Association, Saint Louis University (Jul 2019 - Jun 2020). 
President Elect, International Faculty and Staff Association, Saint Louis University (Jul 2018 - Jun 2019). 
President, International Faculty and Staff Association, Saint Louis University (Jul 2017 – Jun 2018). 
Committee Member, ITS Culture Committee, Saint Louis University (Jul 2016 - Mar 2017). 
Advisory Board Member, Hungarian Missouri Educational Partnership (Aug 2015 - Jun 2018). 
Conference Volunteer, STLX Conference (Sep 2017). 
Conference Volunteer, Design and Diversity Conference (Aug 2017). 
Founder, Hungarian Cultural Society (Dec 2013 – Oct 2018). 
Marketing & Business Development Volunteer, Hungarian Missouri Educational Partnership (Oct 2010 - Jul 2017). 
Judge, St. Louis Urban Debate League (Jan 2016).
Fundraising Manager, St. Mary of Victories Church (Apr 2014 - Sep 2014).
“Big”, Big Brothers Big Sisters of America (Nov 2013 - Dec 2014).
Festival Volunteer, St. Lou Fringe Festival (Jun 2013).