Course Syllabus

Research Project Description

Human trafficking is one of today’s most urgent human rights challenges and is increasingly shaped by digital technologies. Traffickers exploit social media, online marketplaces, and AI-driven tools to identify, recruit, and traffic people. Doctoral research at Oxford University’s Centre for Criminology studies how traffickers adapt to these technologies, using the same algorithms and viral tools that drive social media influencers and online advertising. Findings from the project have to date informed and consulted the European Commission, UK Home Office, Swedish Police Authority, and investigative journalists at The Guardian.

This project offers Research Assistants (RAs) the opportunity to join a research project examining how digital platforms are exploited for human trafficking at the intersection of technology, crime, and justice.

RAs will gain hands-on experience in real-world digital crime research, analyzing digital traces, media reports, court documents, platform transparency reports, and conduct interviews with law enforcement, NGOs, and tech insiders. Students can focus on different research tracks, including Literature & Insight (reviewing and synthesizing scholarship), Data & Analysis (transcribing, coding, and identifying patterns), Communication & Engagement (supporting public dissemination), and Writing & Storytelling (drafting research outputs, with potential co-authorship as determined by the mentor).

Through these activities, RAs will develop research skills in qualitative methods, data analysis, literature review, and thematic coding, with variation depending on their chosen research track. They will also gain transferable skills in critical thinking, collaboration, research communication, and the ethical handling of sensitive material. While RAs will not participate in all parts of the project, each contribution will meaningfully support the overall research objectives.

Students joining this project will contribute to research in a highly relevant and understudied field. The ideal RA is curious, self-motivated, and ready to engage with challenging topics. Strong reading and writing skills, the ability to work independently, and contribute to a small team are essential. Prior experience with qualitative methods or coding is helpful but not required, motivation and a strong work ethic matter most.

This project involves sensitive topics related to human trafficking and exploitation. While RAs will not be directly exposed to graphic content, the material may include distressing descriptions of abuse and violence. Students should approach the work with maturity, professionalism, and emotional resilience. Supportive discussions on handling sensitive material will be incorporated at the start of the project.

References and Further Reading

– Lahav, M. (2023). Cybersecurity in the age of GenAI: Battling the threat of human trafficking. Cyber Protection Magazine. Retrieved from https://cyberprotection magazine.com/cybersecurity in the age of genai battling the threat of human trafficking
– Moore, D. M. (2024). Algorithmic exploitation in social media human trafficking and strategies for regulation. Laws, 13(3), 31. https://doi.org/10.3390/laws13030031
– Moyo, T. J., Gunes, O., & Jirotka, M. D. (2025). Investigating human trafficking recruitment online: A study of fraudulent job offers on social media platforms. Proc. ACM Hum. Comput. Interact, 9(2), 1–31. https://doi.org/10.1145/3711016

Learning Objectives

The primary objective is for you to experience the world of research and gain skills that will prepare you for any future career you choose to pursue. By the end of the term, you will grasp the complexities of the research project and have made your own contribution to the project. You will have learned to communicate ideas and findings, both orally and in writing, to colleagues within your particular discipline, as well as peers from other disciplines.

Research Mentor

Maya Lahav

PhD Criminology, Oxford University, Currently MSc Criminology & Criminal Justice, Oxford University 2021 MSc International Relations, Edinburgh University, 2020 BSc Anthropology, University of Copenhagen, 2019. Head of Section of Cyber- and Information Security, Danish Ministry of Defence, 2024-2025 Team Lead of Human Trafficking Mitigation Team, ActiveFence, 2021-2024 Research Fellow, University College London, 2021 Commercial Project Manager, Pepperminds, 2013-2015. With DIS since 2025.

Roles and Responsibilities of the Research Assistant

You are expected to spend a minimum of 10 hours per week on the project. The workload
may vary over the semester. If you are travelling to do field research in a different
location, additional time may be required.
As research assistant, you will engage in some or all of the following:
1. Participate in weekly meetings with your research mentor at a time set collectively at the beginning of the term.
2. Participate in a research orientation at the beginning of the semester 
3. Participate in two research workshops during the semester.
4. Write an assessment of your own strengths and weaknesses in the research
process at the beginning of the semester. Revisit at the end of the semester as part of an evaluation of your own participation in, and learning from, the research project.
5. Keep a research journal and submit it on canvas every week (or another specified interval) for your research mentor an DIS Research, describing the activities of the week, and outlining goals for the following week.
6. Conduct literature reviews.
7. Participate in carrying out the research project. This may include: familiarizing yourself with core concepts, prototyping, design testing, preliminary user studies. The specific responsibilities may vary depending on how the project progresses. Be prepared to contribute to tasks that may come up
during the semester. Research processes are not always predictable.
8. Present the relevance of the research and/or findings to peer(s) from other
disciplines at the DIS Festival.
9. Make a final oral and/or written presentation of the research you are involved in, depending on what is agreed with your research mentor.

Readings

The readings will be agreed upon with the Research Mentor at the beginning of the semester -
the exact content will differ depending on your background. You will receive guidance
concerning the basics of relevant concepts, study designs, methods of analysis, etc.

Evaluation and Grading

All research assistants are assessed on their participation, weekly status reports to the research mentor, self-evaluation and presentation to peers from other disciplines. Additional evaluation and grading depends on the individual research project and project phase and is outlined by the research mentor. It may include literature reviews, a poster presentation for an expert panel, a working paper, etc.

Participation* 10% of grade comprises attendance & active participation including homework in the research orientation, research workshops, and DIS Festival	20%
Literature review	5%
Research Project Outline	10%
Presentation at DIS Festival	10%
Final Paper	55%
TOTAL	100%

Research Orientation & Workshops

Days and times are available in the Course Summary, below.

Field Research (if applicable)

Some research projects include field research. Expenses related to fieldwork will be
covered by a DIS travel grant. The fieldwork will be planned with the research
mentor at the beginning of the semester.

Approach to Mentoring

All DIS research mentors have been trained in mentoring students but their approach to
mentoring may differ. Mentoring is about engaging at a different - and often deeper -
level than what is typical in the class room. However, mentoring also comes with some
degree of ambiguity, which is important for you to expect. The research
mentor will work closely with you throughout the semester but part of the training is also
for you to use your own judgement, to make assessments and decisions. As part of
planning your tasks and responsibilities for the semester together, the research
mentor will talk to you about her/his approach to mentoring.

Expectations of the Research Assistant

The specific expectations of the individual research assistant are agreed upon at the beginning of the semester. In general, a research assistant is expected to take initiative,
take ownership of the project and work independently. You must also be prepared for meetings and be willing to part take in relevant discussions. In cases where more
research assistants are involved in the same project, you will be expected to engage in some teamwork. Carrying out a research project is not a straightforward and
predictable process. This is part of what makes it exciting. It also means that communication is crucial. You are expected to take responsibility for communicating
about problems or issues that arise.

Data

Note that many US colleges/universities require their students who are participating in research at home or abroad to acquire Institutional Review Board approval. Examples include:

• Research involving human subjects
• If the results of any research conducted during your semester with DIS involving human subjects are to be made public or published in the US

You are responsible for confirming whether home IRB-approval is required and, if so, for seeking the approval of your home schools IRB. In addition, all research conducted in Europe must adhere to GDPR regulations, as noted above.

Disability and Resource Statement

Any student who has a need for accommodation based on the impact of a disability should contact Academic Support in Copenhagen (acadsupp@dis.dk) or in Stockholm (academics@disstockholm.se), depending on the project location. In order to receive accommodations, students should inform the instructor of approved DIS accommodations within the first two weeks of classes.

Academic Honesty - Plagiarism and Violating the Rules of an Assignment

DIS expects that students abide by the highest standards of intellectual honesty in all academic work. DIS assumes that all students do their own work and credit all work or thought taken from others. Academic dishonesty will result in a final course grade of “F” and can result in dismissal. The students’ home universities will be notified. DIS reserves the right to request that written student assignments be turned in electronic form for submission to plagiarism detection software. See the Academic Handbook for more information, or ask your instructor if you have questions.