Research Assistant: Social Media’s Role in Human Trafficking

Introduction to the topic

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.

Project details

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.

Selected relevant publications:

• 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

Recommended experience

The best-suited Research Assistants will be those with strong academic literacy, resilience, and a willingness to work hard and engage fully with demanding material. Previous experience with qualitative methods or coding is an advantage, but not a requirement. Because the work often involves disturbing content, students must be able to work independently, exercise sound judgment, and handle sensitive data in strict compliance with GDPR and anonymization requirements. Above all, RAs should combine intellectual curiosity with maturity and discretion, ensuring that their contributions meet the highest standards of academic and ethical research.

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