Project Rationale and Description
Product counterfeiting is expanding during the Covid-19 pandemic. Criminals and unethical businesses are taking advantage of the legitimate world at this financially and logistically vulnerable time to seek illicit gain. Research is urgently required to investigate the scale, scope and impact of the one of the fastest growing illegitimate trades in the world.
This doctoral project will investigate how individuals and businesses are taking advantages of the shortages of the high demand for personal protection equipment for infection control and hygiene products during the global health crisis. The multidisciplinary project will empirically examine a range of aspects of the counterfeiting business during the global coronavirus outbreak, including the nature, scale, scope, key players, financial and logistical organisation of the counterfeiting process, and more. The project will also explore harm associated with counterfeit goods and services, especially during the unprecedented health crisis. Further, the project will inquire into existing laws, regulations and public policy to evaluate their effectiveness in eliminating and preventing the threat of illicit trade and protecting the public in challenging times of national and global health emergencies. Strategies that can and should be taken to tackle the illicit trade may be part of the study. Given the nature of the counterfeiting business, this research need not have a specific geographical focus. This multidisciplinary, empirical study will require engagement with literature in laws and policies concerning public health, economics, criminology, social justice and social policy to make an original contribution to literature, policy and practice in combatting counterfeiting and protecting public health.
Eligibility and How to Apply:
Please note eligibility requirement:
- Academic excellence of the proposed student i.e. 2:1 (or equivalent GPA from non-UK universities [preference for 1st class honours]); or a Masters (preference for Merit or above); or APEL evidence of substantial practitioner achievement.
- Appropriate IELTS score, if required.
- Applicants cannot apply for this funding if currently engaged in Doctoral study at Northumbria or elsewhere.
For further details of how to apply, entry requirements and the application form, see
https://www.northumbria.ac.uk/research/postgraduate-research-degrees/how-to-apply/
Please note: Applications that do not include a research proposal of approximately 1,000 words (not a copy of the advert), or that do not include the advert reference (e.g. RDF21/BL/LAW/SHEN) will not be considered.
Deadline for applications: 29 January 2021
Start Date: 1 October 2021
Northumbria University takes pride in, and values, the quality and diversity of our staff. We welcome applications from all members of the community.
For informal enquiries, please contact Prof Anqi Shen ([Email Address Removed])