Short summary of your poster/research
Modern slavery is a widespread global issue involving severe exploitation through coercion, deception, or violence. It includes practices such as forced labour, sexual and domestic servitude, and forced marriage. In Australia, an estimated 41,000 people were living in conditions akin to modern slavery in 2021. The issue has gained growing attention, prompting advocacy groups to push for stronger laws and enforcement. My PhD examines how Australian advocacy groups influence modern slavery policy, particularly in shaping enforcement resources and addressing risks within supply chains. This poster presents analysis of 19 interviews with key stakeholders in the modern slavery advocacy space, exploring a central question: what constrains advocacy, and what drives its success?
What was a highlight of the conference?
A highlight of the conference for me was connecting with academics from other disciplines whose research closely aligned with mine, and exploring the links between our theories, pedagogies, and methodologies, despite not researching in the same area.
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What are the key takeaways you’ll bring back to your studies?
The conference highlighted the value of interdisciplinary thinking and how work from other fields can strengthen my approach. QPR also demonstrated the importance of communicating my findings to different audiences. It also reinforced the importance of impact, making sure my research speaks to policy and practice as well as academia.
What is something fascinating about your research?–
Something I find fascinating is the strong emphasis my interviewed advocates placed on collaboration throughout the interviews. Many see it as essential to their success, through sharing resources, coordinating strategies, and presenting a unified voice to influence policy. It highlights how collective effort often carries more weight than individual action in this space.
Do you have any advice for fellow HDR students?
Get your research out there and don’t wait until everything feels “perfect.”
Share your work early and often through conferences, seminars, and publications. It helps build confidence, sharpens your ideas through feedback, and opens up opportunities to build your network.
