Commodity trading is a fundamental pillar of the global economy. Commodity traders facilitate the circulation of raw material from sites of extraction to manufacturing and industrial processing hubs.
Commodity trading is also a highly opaque sector anchored in Switzerland, a jurisdiction that scores poorly in key transparency indices, such as the financial transparency index. Over the past decade major commodity traders such as Gunvor and Trafigura, have been linked to corruption scandals and human rights abuses (Amnesty International and Greenpeace 2012; Public Eye 2017). This has triggered leaks, litigation and prosecutions. As a result of these actions and the rich trail of evidence they create, we have a rare window into this industry.
Ulster University is looking for applicants interested in conducting a novel and ground-breaking study that will examine the criminogenic features of the commodity trading industry. This study will identify specific properties of the commodity trading market that render it vulnerable to different forms of criminal activity.
By criminogenic we follow the analysis of Davies who notes ‘“criminogenic” can be understood here as embedded dynamics of industry, such as complex supply networks, limited regulatory oversight, and collusion with external (state) institutions that shape conditions for systemic criminal and harmful activity to occur’ (2022: 91; see also Bradshaw 2014; Whyte 2014).
While we welcome the use of case studies, it is expected that cases will be used to analyse the crimongenic-structure of the commodity trading market.
Applicants should have a strong interest in developing advanced investigative research skills to facilitate this research.
The successful applicant will be supported by a world-leading team of criminologists who are experts in transnational crime and offshore centres (Lasslett), environmental crime (Stanczak) and secrecy structures (Nugent-Stephens). The supervisors also have strong links to frontline NGOs involved in investigating commodity traders and advocating for reform.
Commodity trading is a fundamental pillar of the global economy. Commodity traders facilitate the circulation of raw material from sites of extraction to manufacturing and industrial processing hubs.
Commodity trading is also a highly opaque sector anchored in Switzerland, a jurisdiction that scores poorly in key transparency indices, such as the financial transparency index. Over the past decade major commodity traders such as Gunvor and Trafigura, have been linked to corruption scandals and human rights abuses (Amnesty International and Greenpeace 2012; Public Eye 2017). This has triggered leaks, litigation and prosecutions. As a result of these actions and the rich trail of evidence they create, we have a rare window into this industry.
Ulster University is looking for applicants interested in conducting a novel and ground-breaking study that will examine the criminogenic features of the commodity trading industry. This study will identify specific properties of the commodity trading market that render it vulnerable to different forms of criminal activity.
By criminogenic we follow the analysis of Davies who notes ‘“criminogenic” can be understood here as embedded dynamics of industry, such as complex supply networks, limited regulatory oversight, and collusion with external (state) institutions that shape conditions for systemic criminal and harmful activity to occur’ (2022: 91; see also Bradshaw 2014; Whyte 2014).
While we welcome the use of case studies, it is expected that cases will be used to analyse the crimongenic-structure of the commodity trading market.
Applicants should have a strong interest in developing advanced investigative research skills to facilitate this research.
The successful applicant will be supported by a world-leading team of criminologists who are experts in transnational crime and offshore centres (Lasslett), environmental crime (Stanczak) and secrecy structures (Nugent-Stephens). The supervisors also have strong links to frontline NGOs involved in investigating commodity traders and advocating for reform.
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