In many communities across the globe, organised criminal groups cast long shadows, not only risking our safety but also affecting other aspects of everyday life and politics. These criminal entities exert authority, governing "their" territories and overseeing economic exchanges and interactions among residents. But how do these groups wield such influence?
Award: Flexible Funding
Academics: Prof Giovanni Travaglino & Dr Chanki Moon
Department: Law and Criminology
Project: Secret Power Project
Context and Underpinning Research
Across the world, organised criminal groups have a profound impact on communities. These groups assert control over territories and influence economic activities and social interactions. But what are the mechanisms behind their pervasive influence? Why is there limited opposition against them, and why do some community members even support their activities? The 'Secret Power' project tries to understand these complicated dynamics. Our research is focused on understanding the intricate ways these groups exert control and influence over communities.
Project Overview
The Secret Power impact project is an ambitious initiative that aims to decode the hidden rules and structures that empower criminal organisations. We plan to organise a solutions-focused knowledge exchange forum with a range of stakeholders. We hope the forum will enable us to devise effective and sustainable strategies to create safer neighbourhoods and more effective policies.
Anticipated Impact and Outcomes
Our project is set to make significant contributions to the understanding of criminal influence in communities. By bringing to light the underlying codes and unwritten rules that govern these groups, we hope to pave the way for effective strategies to counteract their power. The knowledge gleaned from this project has the potential to inform policy-making, improve community safety, and enhance the effectiveness of law enforcement strategies.
The Role of Flexible Funding
The Flexible Funding award is critical to the success of our project. It supports the organisation of the knowledge exchange forum designed to facilitate a meaningful dialogue between our research team, law enforcement agencies, policy makers, and other relevant stakeholders. Such collaboration is vital for integrating diverse perspectives and expertise, which is essential for tackling the complex issue of criminal influence.
Next Steps: Knowledge Exchange Forum
We are in the process of organising our knowledge exchange forum to bring together a diverse group of participants, including researchers, police forces, policy makers, and community representatives. The aim is to foster an open and constructive dialogue that can lead to a deeper understanding of criminal influence and the development of innovative strategies to mitigate it.
Get Involved
We invite you to stay informed about the Secret Power project. For more information about the project please contact Prof. Giovanni Travaglino, email: giovanni.travaglino@rhul.ac.uk. We are particularly interested in hearing from criminal justice charities, policymakers, police and law enforcement professionals to contribute to the event.
