TRANSNATIONAL THREATS, POLITICALLY INFORMED RESPONSES
We aim to help unlock the black box of political will for tackling organised crime, transnational corruption, kleptocracy and illicit finance through research that informs politically feasible, technically sound interventions and strategies.
WELCOME
TO SOC ACE
The Serious Organised Crime and Anti-Corruption Evidence (SOC ACE) research programme’s overarching focus is on generating rigorous research that engages directly with policy and practice to uncover more feasible options to tackle serious organised crime (SOC), illicit finance, kleptocracy and corruption. By putting political analysis at the heart of our research approach, SOC ACE helps to demonstrate the role that research can play in making more politically feasible options more visible to reformers.
Our research aims to generate:
Practical approaches for strategy, operations and programming
New strategic and analytical frameworks
Innovations in methodology and analysis for improved decision-making
Learning products to support practitioners and policymakers
The programme is funded from June 2021 to September 2027 by the UK’s Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office. It is led by the University of Birmingham in collaboration with a number of other leading research organisations.
THE ACE
APPROACH
SOC ACE is one component of the broader Anti-Corruption Evidence Programme funded by the UK government, with two sister programmes: the SOAS-led ACE Research Consortium (SOAS-ACE) and the Global Integrity – ACE Partnership (GI-ACE). SOC ACE uses a problem-led, politically informed approach, taking as its starting point – and adapting – the following framing principles underpinning the overall ACE research programme:
Thinking differently about prevention through better understanding the ways in which SOC and corruption provide solutions to the everyday problems people face that often have deep social, structural, economic, and political roots, particularly in resource-scarce environments
Innovative approaches to testing and measuring the effects of anti-SOC, illicit finance and transnational corruption interventions
‘Nose-to- tail’ engagement with policy makers and practitioners – from research design, implementation, delivery, communication and engagement
Anti-SOC and Anti-Corruption, not just admiring the problem
Problem-led, not starting with preconceived ideas about the ‘right’ solutions
Real-world priorities in sectors and geographies in which SOC, illicit finance and transnational corruption are part of, but rarely all of, the problem
Taking politics seriously, developing politically viable reforms and approaches in ways that are context-sensitive and avoid unintended consequences
ENHANCING KNOWLEDGE, SHAPING POLICY, SUPPORTING PRACTITIONERS
GETTING STARTED
Not sure where to start? These three papers provide a good introduction to the overall SOC ACE approach.
POLITICAL
WILL
Moving from ‘political won’t to political will’ for more feasible interventions to tackle serious organised crime and corruption, Heather Marquette (SOC ACE Briefing Note BN1)
PEACEFUL, OPEN & INCLUSIVE POLITICS
Why incorporating organised crime into analysis of elite bargains and political settlements matters: understanding prospects for more peaceful, open and inclusive politics, Alina Rocha Menocal (SOC ACE Research paper RP15 and Briefing Note BN21)
The challenges of responding to IFFs where political will is absent, Tuesday Reitano (SOC ACE Research Paper RP14 and Briefing Note BN20)
ILLICIT FINANCE & “POLITICAL WON’T”
Download the new SOC ACE Brochure
We’ve gathered the complete list of all SOC ACE projects, papers, book chapters, and other publications in one place. This provides easy access to our research and a comprehensive overview of upcoming projects.
OUR TEAM
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SOC ACE Director
Professor Heather Marquette is the Director of the Serious Organised Crime & Anti-Corruption Evidence (SOC ACE) research programme. She is Professor of Development Politics in the International Development Department at the University of Birmingham and is seconded part-time to FCDO’s Research and Evidence Directorate as Senior Research Fellow (Governance and Conflict). In addition, she is an Expert Member of the Global Initiative Against Transnational Organised Crime’s expert network, a member of the RUSI State Threats Task Force, and a Lead Advisor and founding member of the global Thinking & Working Politically Community of Practice. Her research, which has been funded by the British Academy/Global Challenges Research Fund, DFID/FCDO, DFAT and the EU, focuses on transnational threats, particularly corruption and organised crime, as well as aid and foreign policy, governance and political analysis.
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SOC ACE Programme Manager & Deputy Director of Operations
Lyndsey Hand is the Deputy Director of Operations and Programme Manager of the Serious Organised Crime & Anti-Corruption Evidence (SOC ACE) research programme.
Lyndsey brings a wealth of experience in the development and humanitarian sectors, having led and managed large DFID/FCDO-funded governance and security sector reform programmes across Pakistan, Nepal, Nigeria, Zimbabwe, and Zambia. She has recently served as Head of Programmes for INGOs in Afghanistan during the recent transitional period and in Armenia during the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict.
Her expertise includes designing and delivering politically informed, adaptive programmes using TWP, PDIA, and issues-based programming approaches, as well as strategic business development. Lyndsey holds professional qualifications in project, programme, and change management, applying tailored methods to suit politically complex contexts and linking them with bespoke monitoring and evaluation frameworks that tackle the challenge of measuring wider systemic change.
She holds a Master's in International Development from the University of Birmingham and a BSc in Politics and International Relations from Oxford Brookes University.
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SOC ACE Project and Finance Officer
Nik assists in the management of the programme, with particular focus on financial management. Nik liaises closely with partners and supports the Programme Manager in preparing reports for the funder.
Prior to joining the SOC ACE team, Nik worked in the School of Social Policy at the University of Birmingham. She has held various positions in addition to volunteering for charities such as Citizens Advice and Teaching Adults GCSE and Level 2 Maths. She has a background in engineering and the medical and biomedical field with research experience in implants and replacements, fracture fixation, and restoration.
WHERE WE WORK
SOC ACE research touches on serious organised crime, illicit finance, corruption threats and solutions in a wide range of countries. Specific case study countries are shown on the map below, and search and tags are available to help locate research by country, including those with substantial coverage in projects and publications. This map will be updated as we add new case study countries in the future.
