Topic of thesis: Dissecting the role of organised criminal groups in illegal immigration into the E.U. as basis for developing effective preventative measures
Abstract: My research concerns the facilitation of irregular migration into Europe as a socially embedded, illegal market. Through a focus on Italy, as the main country of entry, arrival and transit of irregular migrants into the EU, a mixed methods research project is carried out. It includes a qualitative analysis of a set of interviews with: (i) experts from the judiciary, law enforcement and non-governmental sector, and (ii) refugees in two different refugee reception centres (Como and Milan).

The quantitative research approach instead comprises a social network analysis of one specific, large-scale migrant smuggling case in the North of Italy. The latter region being chosen due a lack of research regarding the facilitation of irregular migration within and beyond Italy. The role of trust between market actors presents the focus of the social network analysis. It is argued that especially in illegal markets, where transactions costs and uncertainty are great, due to the absence of legally enforceable contracts, trust between actors plays a significant role in guaranteeing a successful smuggling operation.

The aim of this research is to provide a current, comprehensive, robust and interdisciplinary study of the facilitation of irregular migration in order to contrast a still one-sided, criminalistic public discourse, with the aim to improve policy-making concerning this specific illegal market.

Research interests:Organised crime, socio-economic study of organised crime, illegal markets, irregular migration, human smuggling, corruption, Mafia and anti-Mafia policies.
Graduated from: University of Cambridge (MPhil degree) University of Manchester (BA degree)
Degrees obtained: MPhil in Criminological Research Bachelor (Honours) in Criminology
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