This June, SOC ACE researchers will participate in a roundtable on ‘Illicit Finance, Transnational Corruption, and Informal Economies in Contemporary Conflict’ at the Central and Eastern European Schools Association - International Studies Association (CEEISA-ISA) Joint Conference: ‘Knowing the Global-Local: Imagining Pasts, Debating Futures.’

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” starting with a workshop in London this June.

Alina Rocha Menocal is attending a panel discussion on ‘Studying Illicit Networks in the Levant and Beyond’ at the Carnegie Middle East Center's workshop focused on the growth of illicit networks in the Levant since the onset of Syria’s civil war.

SOC ACE researchers are pleased to be leading the Rethinking stabilisation and responding to transnational threats roundtable at the BISA 2024 Conference Whose International Studies?

Last month, Dr Tena Prelec attended the first Finance, Integrity and Governance (FIG) Policy Symposium hosted by UNDP’s Global Policy Centre for Governance in Oslo.

We are thrilled to announce that our recent research has been published in two distinguished journals, Behavioural Public Policy and European Journal of Political Research, shedding new light on the unintended consequences of awareness-raising strategies against serious and organised crime (SOC) and anti-corruption campaigns.

This month, we present research on whistle-blower schemes in the fight against economic crime, Balochistan’s illicit markets, paramilitary violence and organised crime in war-to-peace transitions. We also explore politically feasible SSR responses to organised crime (OC), test strategic communications combating it, and analyse civil society's role in addressing OC. Sign up for next month’s newsletter now!

This March, the Centre for Finance and Security (CFS) at RUSI, in partnership with the SOC-ACE programme, convened the ‘State Threats Workshop: Perspectives from Germany and the UK’ to address current threats from state actors faced by Germany.

SOC ACE researchers Professor Heather Marquette, Maria Nizzero, keynote speaker Tom Keatinge and others attended the launch of the Economic Crime Manifesto 2.0, led by the All-Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) on Anti-Corruption and Responsible Tax, in collaboration with the APPG for Fair Business Banking.

Hostility towards migrants has increased in the aftermath of COVID-19; however drivers of migration have intensified. Regional smuggling markets and routes are consolidating under influential polycriminals, while governments crack down on smaller players. This brief brings together key lessons emerging from GI-TOC research on the smuggling of migrants (SOM) between 2015 and 2023, highlighting policy implications, and suggested ways forward.

This latest SOC ACE briefing note highlights four key areas that warrant increased focus on the fundamental rights of individuals and the alignment of human rights and crime prevention agendas. It further highlights policy implications and suggested ways forward.

Dr Jonathan Goodhand and Dr Patrick Meehan of The Centre for the Study of Illicit Economies, Violence, and Development (CIVAD), SOAS University of London, are leading an invitation-only Policy Lab this month on ‘Addressing paramilitary violence and organised crime in war to peace transitions kicks off this month.’

Preliminary findings from research on ‘Exploring the consequences of organised crime and illegal trade displacement in Eurasia’ have led to the formulation of three hypotheses for further testing.

Early findings from SOC ACE funded ‘Medellín demonstration project’ led by Professors Christopher Blattman and Santiago Tobón was picked up by local and national news in Colombia.

This month, we present research on whistle-blower schemes in the fight against economic crime, Balochistan’s illicit markets, paramilitary violence and organised crime in war-to-peace transitions. We also explore politically feasible SSR responses to organised crime (OC), test strategic communications combating it, and analyse civil society's role in addressing OC. Sign up for next month’s newsletter now!

SOC ACE researchers recently participated in the World Bank Fragility Forum 2024, where they shared insights and perspectives on tackling global challenges. Professors Santiago Tobón from EAFIT Universidad and Benjamin Lessing from the University of Chicago participated in a panel sponsored by the Inter-American Development Bank.

New research gives an overview of SOC ACE partner GI-TOC’s research and experiences in engaging with and supporting civil society responses to organised crime. This is provided in the context of the ongoing threats and shrinking space for civil society, and a need for policymakers and officials to understand civil society’s role, value and potential.

SOC ACE researcher Dr Erica Marat from the College of International Security Affairs (CISA), National Defense University, recently shared insights in an interview with Al Jazeera, on her research on drug trafficking, violence and corruption in Central Asia.

In the U.S. Naval War College’s newly launched podcast series "The Trident," host Col. Dave Brown was joined by SOC ACE researcher, Dr David H. Ucko (NDU) and guests Robert S. Burrell and Richard Tilley delve into the definition and evolving construct of Irregular Warfare (IW) within the Department of Defense (DoD).

This month, we present research on the impact of the Taliban's resurgence on Afghanistan's opium trade, the nexus between paramilitaries, illicit economies, and organised crime in borderland regions of Afghanistan, Myanmar, and Colombia. It also covers illicit financial flows in East and Southern Africa and the Mekong, SOC-related sanctions and political will, new SOC metrics for accountability in Medellín, and a framework testing organised crime as irregular warfare. Finally, it examines the consequences of organised crime and illegal trade displacement in Eurasia due to Russia's war against Ukraine. Sign up for next month’s newsletter now!