Modern Slavery Research: A Commentary on Methods and Themes

Fiona McGaughey; Martijn Boersma; Andrew Kach; Justine Nolan; Vikram Bhakoo; Shelley Marshall

Modern Slavery Research: A Commentary on Methods and Themes

Fiona McGaughey, Martijn Boersma, Andrew Kach, Justine Nolan, Vikram Bhakoo, Shelley Marshall

UWA Law School

Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review

Abstract

This article explores the methods used in the rapidly growing field of
modern slavery research. Research on this topic has gained momentum
since the introduction of modern slavery legislation in the UK and
Australia. Defined as a broad umbrella term encompassing human
trafficking, forced labour, and other exploitative practices, modern
slavery research spans multiple academic disciplines, including law.
This article aims to amplify discussion on the methods used in modern
slavery research globally. It analyses 165 relevant articles from the Scopus
database and finds a scholarly field with some disciplinary segregation,
particularly between business and supply chain literature on the one
hand, and legal and criminology scholarship on the other. It also finds
distinct methodological preferences in different disciplines. We suggest
there is scope to broaden modern slavery research to increase interdisciplinary dialogue, diversify methodologies, support scholars from the
Global South, and give voice to victim-survivors.

Original language	English
Pages (from-to)	489-526
Journal	Adelaide Law Review
Volume	45
Issue number	3
Early online date	2025
Publication status	Published - 25 Mar 2025

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Modern Slavery Research: A Commentary on Methods and Themes

Abstract

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