Professors Heather Marquette and Cayn Peiffer launch workshop on social bads to innovate anti-corruption and SOC strategies

This June, Professor Heather Marquette (University of Birmingham) and Dr Caryn Peiffer (University of Bristol) are launching the next phase of their research on "Understanding Functionality for More Effective SOC and Corruption Strategies and Interventions.”

Scholars and policy actors are showing renewed interest in understanding the 'functionality' of social bads like corruption and organised crime. Recent research indicates that these issues persist because they fill ‘functions’ – or solve problems – for people that other systems cannot address. However, interest in functionality is often dispersed across disciplines, and researchers are generally not always able to learn from policy actors and practitioners.

This workshop aims to unite researchers, policy actors, and practitioners focused on the functionality of corruption, organised crime, and similar issues. This working-level workshop will provide a platform for participants to share recent work, exchange experiences, and generate new insights. The goal is to explore how a 'functionality lens' can inspire innovative solutions in anti-corruption and counter-SOC policy processes and solutions. Additionally, the workshop will discuss the possibility of a joint publication, such as an edited book, alongside a comprehensive workshop report. More from this workshop will be shared once available.

This is an invitation only event.