AHRC Launches New Call for Modern Slavery Policy and Evidence Centre

Led by the Arts and Humanities Research Council (AHRC) and with support from the Economic and Social Research Centre (ESRC), the Policy and Evidence Centre for Human Rights and Modern Slavery is designed to bring research, policymakers, businesses, charities and NGOs together. It will combat and reduce modern slavery by driving real policy change in prevention, legal enforcement and supply chains, with a strong focus on victim / survivor support and recovery.

The Centre is funded by UKRI until 2024 and this first call for applications is focused on victim and survivor support and recovery. Applications are welcome from arts, humanities and social science (working with other disciplines where appropriate) to address the needs of those who have experienced different kinds of exploitation considered to be modern slavery, and to improve their near and long-term outcomes of recovery.

The Centre will take a partnership approach, working with those who already play a part in eradicating slavery, to put victims and survivors at the heart of research and help them influence future policy development. In this first funding call, the Centre aims to fill several gaps in the evidence base:

Understanding the decision-making process for identifying victims and the support needed and/or offered throughout this process

The impact of decision-making times on victim recovery

The recovery and reintegration needs of both adult and child victims/survivors of modern slavery

Test the effectiveness of different interventions in meeting those needs

To develop methods and/or better approaches to prevent re-trafficking

Address any other aspect related to the care of survivors and the prevention of victimisation.

Interdisciplinary boundary-crossing proposals are welcomed, including those that cross arts, humanities, social sciences (AHSS) and STEM.

Applicants must be of post-doctoral or equivalent standing. The principal investigator must meet standard AHRC eligibility criteria and awards will be made to a UK research organisation eligible to receive AHRC funding.

Proposals for full economic costs of up to £300,000 for a period of up to 12 months may be submitted.

AHRC anticipate that 5-8 awards will be funded under this call.

Applications must be submitted online by the deadline of 30 September 2020 (4pm).

The Je-S application portal will accept applications from the 4 June 2020.

More information about this research funding opportunity and the application process is available on the RESEARCHconnect funding information platform. RESEARCHconnect provides up-to-the minute content, insight and analysis on research funding news and policy. To find out more about how RESEARCHconnect can keep you in the know, and subscription fees, contact us today.