Research Assistant: Social Media’s Role in Human Trafficking

Location: Copenhagen

Type: Research

Term: Semester

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.

Syllabus

Fall 2026

Go to syllabus

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

: 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.

Additional research application required

You will need to submit an additional research application through Student Registration in order to enroll in this course.
To submit your research application, you must already be admitted to DIS.

All research application materials must be submitted on the following dates by 23:59 Central European Time:
– November 1 for spring semester applicants
– May 1 for fall semester applicants

Complete your additional research application through Student Registration.
If you are not already enrolled, use this link to apply to DIS before completing a research application.

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.

Research Assistantship FAQ

Learn more about research at DIS.

: Earning authorship within the course of a semester is challenging. Exceptional Research Assistants may be considered for co-authorship, subject to evaluation from the supervising Research Mentor.

Though you may not ultimately become an author on a published paper, you will gain many practical skills and insights into the publication process.

: Many research projects last across several semesters, so not all RAs on the same project will conduct the same research.

: On average, students in 3-credit Research Assistantships spend at least 10 hours a week on research tasks. These 10 hours per week consist of a variety of different research-related tasks, including conducting a literature review, data collection, analyses, coding, documentation, and meetings with your mentor. You may decide on a particular block of time (consistent each week) for you to carry out the work, or adjust it on a week-by-week basis.

Students in a 6-credit Research Assistantships spend an average of 20 hours per week with lab and clinically based research tasks. You decide the exact meeting and lab times with your supervisor, but your schedule consists of classes at DIS two days a week, with two days a week in the lab.

There may be peak times in the research process where all Research Assistant students are expected to spend a few more hours, and then possibly fewer hours another week – to reflect the individual research project and process.

: Work for the 3-credit Research Assistantships may take place outside DIS, on your own time at a location of your choosing, or at DIS – this varies from project to project. The 6-credit research assistantships generally take place at labs in Copenhagen or Stockholm outside DIS.

: Students with a variety of academic backgrounds are encouraged to apply for the 3-credit Research Assistant course. While some courses do have prerequisites, many opportunities do not require prior research experience.

The 6-credit Research Assistant opportunity is designed for highly motivated students who have a strong science background within the field of interest and some basic research experience. The student must be willing to commit a large portion of their semester to an engaging opportunity involving hands-on research in universities and medical institutes in Copenhagen or Stockholm.