Research Assistant: Illicit Organ TradeSemester Course

DIS Stockholm, Research Assistant, Trafficking in Persons for the Purpose of Organ Removal
Major Discipline(s)
Criminology / Criminal Justice, Human Rights
Type
Elective Course
Available
Fall/Spring semester
Credit(s)
3

This research assistantship has its point of departure on an interdisciplinary node of social, behavioral, and health sciences. You will be introduced to the practice of human exploitation for the purpose of organ procurement and transplantation, the controversies in biopolitics, and the legal and ethical frameworks that govern the human body. We will discuss topics ranging from reproductive technologies and organ transplantation to forensic medicine and crime. This research course aims to promote dialogue and collaboration by bringing together students and instructors from different academic backgrounds.

The research assistantship is divided into three modules: concepts and theories, methods and ethics, and research. In the first module, you will learn about the central conceptual and theoretical frameworks. You will then explore the various methodological approaches to studying illicit organ trade as well as learn about the importance of ethical considerations in science. The final module is dedicated to individual work and group work, where you will be required to develop a research plan and carry out your study, which will be presented at the research symposium at the end of the semester.

 

Select Mentor Publications

  • Smiragina-Ingelström, P. (2019). Trafficking in Persons for the Purpose of Organ Removal. NSfK’s 61st Research Seminar Report. 
  • Smiragina-Ingelström, P., Henderson, A., & Andjelkovic, M. (2021). Applying Gender Sensitive Approaches in Combating Trafficking in Human Beings. OSCE, Vienna.   

Related Discipline(s)

This course would also be of interest to the following discipline(s):
Public Health

Faculty

Polina Smiragina-Ingelström

DIS Stockholm Semester Faculty

PhD (2021, The University of Sydney), focusing on the gendered perspective on victimhood in the trafficking of men. MSc (2012, Gothenburg University), BA (2009, Moscow State University). Postdoctoral fellow in Criminology (Stockholm University). Polina’s research interests are within the disciplines of criminology and medical anthropology with a special focus on victimhood, gender, post-trafficking needs and help-seeking behavior. Before commencing her academic career Polina was a migrant counsellor and reintegration assistant at the UN Migration (IOM) mission in Russia. She was engaged in providing direct assistance to migrants in distress including victims of human trafficking and exploitation; and assistance in voluntary return and reintegration.  With DIS since 2016.

Sociology Polina Smiragina Ingelstöm