The International Centre for Policing and Security has been awarded three Marie Skłodowska-Curie actions (MSCA) Individual Fellowships to undertake research into the security industry, migration, and cyber-crime. 

The awards underline USW’s position as a global leader in policing and security research.

Marie Curie Fellowships, as part of the H2020 research funding programme of the European Union, allow academics to undertake advanced research activities at a world-leading research organisation in Europe. They are highly competitive, and only around 10% of applications are successful. 

Funding of around €224k per project allows USW to host three experienced researchers from across Europe for two years. The research will inform UK and EU governments.

Dr Joana de Deus Pereira’s Individual Fellowship, awarded in 2018, seeks to understand how and to what extent the security industry shapes the European migration policy. 

“Being an MSCA Fellow is an opportunity and an honour. I am part of a network of excellence that has a voice in all corners of the world. I have the privilege to work with renowned scholars, such as Professor Christian Kaunert, and the Fellowship has led to lecturing roles at the NATO Centres of Excellence and at USW, where I lead modules on international security of drugs, human trafficking, and organised crime, and risk management and analysis.

Dr Eyene Okpanachi is researching the challenges of return migration in Africa in the age of complex emergencies. He will be comparing multi-level governance systems in Ethiopia and Nigeria.   

“Being a Marie Curie Fellow enables me to develop a global research network with leading researchers in security and migration,” said Dr Okpanachi. 

“The work is helping to deepen my own understanding of return migration, but also to disseminate this much-needed knowledge to the research and policy community, especially in Africa.”

Dr Ethem Ilbiz is examining Europol’s fight against cybercrime in the context of Uberization.

His research aims to reveal the interaction dynamics between Europol (European Union's law enforcement agency), national law enforcement agencies, and private actors, and investigates three major cybercrime areas: ransomware, money laundering in cryptocurrencies, and online child sexual exploitation. 

The Uberization framework proposed in this research will enhance public-private partnerships in cybersecurity and enable the efficient use of resources.

Dr Ilbiz said: “Working with Professor Christian Kaunert is one of the main reasons I decided to come to USW. He is one of the foremost experts on European policing and criminal justice co-operation and highly regarded by European institutions and agencies, notably Europol."

During their fellowships, the academics are based at the International Centre for Policing and Security (ICPS) - the UK's oldest and most reputable policing and security centre - and mentored by Professor Kaunert, Director of Terrorism and Security at USW and Jean Monnet Chair in Policing and Counter-Terrorism in Europe.

Prof Kaunert said: "This research has clear practical relevance for UK and EU officials working for national ministries and embassies in Brussels.

"Given the sustained interest of governments in the development of this area, these projects will have an important impact on both governmental and academic debates."