Using research to end modern slavery

Now, a new report looks at what current research is already taking place in the UK, and about UK slavery, and what else can be done.

‘Researching Modern Slavery in the UK’ has been put together by Professor Kevin Bales CMG, Professor Sir Bernard Silverman and Dr Bodean Hedwards from the Rights Lab at the University of Nottingham, in partnership with the UK’s Independent Anti-Slavery Commissioner (IASC), Kevin Hyland OBE.

Professor Silverman said: “If we are to fight and end slavery effectively, an evidence-based approach is crucial.  Academic, NGO and government research all have an essential role to play in informing the policies and practices that underpin this vital effort.”

With this in mind, in 2017, the team at the Rights Lab and IASC put out a call to find out what recent and current research about slavery was taking place. The request focussed on slavery in the UK and research being carried out by UK researchers.

The team wanted to find out about research in a number of areas:

• Defining, measuring and categorising exploitation;
• Processes to identify, release and support victims;
• Geographical issues – such as the country of origin of victims;
• Best practice in responding to and eradicating slavery in supply chains;
• Best practice in law enforcement;
• International interventions that have been developed to combat the flow of trafficking victim into the UK;
• Practices in recruitment of victims and related criminal activities linked to trafficking and slavery; and
• The impact of trafficking and slavery on different groups, based on - age, gender, ethnicity, national origins, religion, sexual orientation or practice.

The team received 59 submissions from researchers and they used the data to map the UK’s current research activity about modern slavery. This includes research on the anti-slavery responses being implemented by government, law enforcement and civil society.

Kevin Hyland OBE said: “If we want to rescue more victims of modern slavery and convict perpetrators of the crime, we need to develop our understanding and utilise all information available. Collating research will help us understand the tactics of criminals, the techniques of law enforcement, and the trends of the crime itself. I am sure this report will inform those on the frontline and empower others to build upon the excellent research that is going on in many parts of the UK.”

As well as the report, the team created a companion website. Both will help experts to better understand the research taking place across the UK, and what more needs to be done.

Professor Bales adds: “With our report and accompanying website we hope to strengthen the research taking place across the UK. By better understanding the evidence already out there we can look at what gaps there might be in our understanding of slavery, which will, in turn help us to eradicate it.”

To view a full copy of the report, or for more information, visit the website.

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Notes to editors: 

The University of Nottingham is a research-intensive university with a proud heritage, consistently ranked among the world's top 100. Studying at the University of Nottingham is a life-changing experience and we pride ourselves on unlocking the potential of our 44,000 students - Nottingham was named University of the Year for Graduate Employment in the 2017 Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide, was awarded gold in the TEF 2017 and features in the top 20 of all three major UK rankings. We have a pioneering spirit, expressed in the vision of our founder Sir Jesse Boot, which has seen us lead the way in establishing campuses in China and Malaysia - part of a globally connected network of education, research and industrial engagement. We are ranked eighth for research power in the UK according to REF 2014. We have six beacons of research excellence helping to transform lives and change the world; we are also a major employer and industry partner - locally and globally.

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