The VRC carries out interdisciplinary research on the causes, prevention and consequences of interpersonal violence in national and international societies. In the third of a series of profiles of VRC researchers, we introduce our Lecturer in Criminology and Complex Networks, Dr Paolo Campana - who investigates criminal activities, gang violence and illegal markets.
Which are the three questions that drive your work?
- How are criminal activities organised?
- How does organised crime work?
- How does systemic violence emerge?
Which three keywords summarise your research?
- Organised crime
- Illegal markets
- Social networks' analysis
What is the current focus of your studies?
I am currently working on exploring instances of illegal governance of markets and communities provided by organised crime groups. This is part of the i-Gov Project that I am leading. Additionally, I am studying the mechanisms underpinning systemic violence using a social network analysis approach, which is one of the main foci of the Crime & Networks Group based at the VRC.
Dr Campana’s research pages
- The i-Gov Project: https://www.vrc.crim.cam.ac.uk/vrcresearch/illegal-governance
Crime & Networks Group:https://www.vrc.crim.cam.ac.uk/vrcresearch/crime-networks-group
If you missed our previous articles in the series, read about Dr Maria Ttofi’s research here and Dr Sara Valdebenito's projects here.