Marie Curie-funded research will inform international debates on return migration and cybercrime 

USW's Christian Kaunert, Professor of Policy and Security, has been awarded two prestigious H2020 Marie Sklodowska Curie Fellowships to undertake new research into migration and cyber-crime. 

Funding of around €224k for each project will be allocated to USW to host two experienced researchers from across Europe for two years.

Research will inform UK and EU governments

Dr Eyene Okpanachi will research the challenges of return migration in Africa in the age of complex emergencies. She will be comparing multilevel governance systems in Ethiopia and Nigeria.     

Dr Ethem Ilbiz will examine Europol’s fight against cybercrime in the context of Uberization. His research aims to reveal the interaction dynamics between Europol (European Union's law enforcement agency), national law enforcement agencies and private actors.    

"The research has clear practical relevance for UK and EU officials working for national ministries and embassies in Brussels," said Professor Kaunert.   

He continued: "Given the sustained interest of governments in the development of this area, the two projects will have an important impact on both governmental and academic debates."

Joining global experts in police and security research

During their fellowships, both academics will be affiliated to the International Centre for Policing and Security (ICPS) - the UK's oldest and most reputable policing and security centre, based at the University of South Wales – and be mentored by Professor Kaunert.   

Professor Kaunert is one of the foremost experts on European policing and criminal justice cooperation and highly regarded by European institutions and agencies, notably Europol.

Prestigious award

Marie Curie Fellowships, as part of the prestigious H2020 research funding programme of the European Union, are highly competitive, with only around 10% of applications are successful.   

They allow academics to undertake advanced research activities at a world-leading research organisation in Europe.   

The award underlines University of South Wales' position as a global leader in policing and security research.