GLITSS
Illegal trade affects all aspects of contemporary societies. By definition, the term “illegal” denotes practices not allowed by law or disapproved by society.
These practices allow security threats to materialize, such as conflicts fueled by natural resources and terrorism. Illegal trade poses security risks, such as those caused by counterfeit drugs. It threatens the sustainability of our societies by consuming excessive planetary resources and undermining the regulated functioning of international markets. Yet despite this obvious objective relevance, the discussion of illicit trade remains compartmentalized within disciplinary boundaries.
An interdisciplinary approach is required. The 'Globalization, Illicit Trade, Sustainability and Security (GLITSS)' project, funded by the COST Association, is helping to fill a research gap. Four working groups have been established to focus on the phenomena of illicit trade (smuggling and trafficking of goods and money), the platforms behind it (norms, actors and regulations) the responses to it (enforcement, alternative measures and legalization), and its detection through digital techniques in particular.
GLITSS creates an interdisciplinary research network characterized by the inclusiveness and epistemological diversity that defines the research field today. Its objectives are to create a holistic research agenda on illicit trafficking practices, to raise public awareness with a view to increasing societal resilience, and to explore how technological innovation facilitates illicit trafficking but can also be used to combat it. Government agencies, civil society organizations and academics will benefit from a Europe-wide discussion on illicit trade. Ultimately, GLITSS will advise stakeholders on how to create a more resilient and sustainable society by identifying, understanding and countering illicit trafficking.
Duration of the project
2022 - 2026
Awarded grant
800,000 euros, obtained from Horizon Europe (COST Association)
Contact persons at our Faculty
Dr. F. (Fransesco) Giumelli (Faculty of Arts)
Websites with additional information
| Last modified: | 25 July 2024 4.24 p.m. |