Have you ever wondered how we can truly tackle the complex issues of modern slavery and human trafficking? Policy Officer, Adam Burns, discusses one approach that has captivated the University of Liverpool's Anti-Slavery Knowledge Network (AKN).
For years, we at the University of Liverpool’s Anti-Slavery Knowledge Network (AKN) have been passionate about finding creative, effective, and community-based ways to combat the challenge of human trafficking. One approach that has captivated our interest is that of survivor engagement—bringing the voices and experiences of those who have lived through modern slavery to the forefront of policy formulation and programming.
Forming a research team
When I first began to work in this field, I was struck by the lack of survivor perspectives and involvement in shaping the policies meant to protect them. This realisation fuelled my involvement in a fascinating and important project, where our team – led by Professor Alex Balch and Dr Allen Kiconoco explored how best to involve people with lived experience in policy and program development. With funding from the Foreign, Commonwealth, and Development Office (FCDO), we formed an international network of excellent researchers and consultants with the purpose of understanding and tackling this challenge head-on.
Building on previous findings
In 2022, we identified some promising practices, but we knew we needed delve deeper. Thanks to support from the Modern Slavery and Human Rights Policy and Evidence Centre (Modern Slavery PEC), we expanded our study from March to July 2023. This expansion allowed us to explore how things work in different contexts, engaging those with firsthand experience in policy and program systems, building on our existing findings
Hosting survivor experts at Liverpool
Our journey led us to organise a week-long research conference titled "Towards Principles for Equitable Engagement," which brought together our anti-trafficking experts from around the world to Liverpool. These gatherings were eye-opening, revealing significant gaps in research and practice that often overlook the vital contributions of survivors. One thing became clear: meaningful survivor engagement isn’t just about adding a few survivor voices to a panel. It requires a fundamental shift in how we design, fund, and implement research and policy.
Reflecting on our research
Our experience in co-designing the research underscored the need for an adaptive, inclusive approach. Building and sharing leadership of a project that could equally engage all team members, especially those with lived experience, ensured that our research aligned with their needs and interests, making the results of our efforts more significant and effective. By embracing a flexible approach to research and collaboration, we can develop more effective policies and programs that truly address the needs of those with lived experience. Overall, this project has been a transformative and insightful journey, and we are optimistic about the potential it holds for real, lasting change.
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