The Global Commission for Modern Slavery has launched a new economics research workstream to explore how data and economic analysis can strengthen responses to modern slavery and human trafficking.

A roundtable on the economics of modern slavery was held at the University of Oxford in May with Professor Ian Jewitt, Professor Guido Friebel, and Commissioner Andrew Thompson. The event brought together academic economists and policymakers to discuss how economic research can inform policies to combat exploitation. In June, the Global Commission also participated in the Economics Research Jamboree at Oxford, delivering talks on building research capacity and advancing the economics of modern slavery.

By deepening the economic understanding of modern slavery, the Commission aims to ensure that resources are directed where they can have the greatest impact — helping to build a stronger, evidence-based foundation for global action.