Shows
The We SocietyExposing the underbelly of Britain with Ella CockbainDr Ella Cockbain is not afraid to delve into topics that may make others uncomfortable, whether that's labour exploitation or child sexual abuse.
As an associate professor in the Department of Security and Crime Science at UCL, she leads the research group on human trafficking and exploitation. In recognition of her impactful work, she received the prestigious Philip Leverhulme Prize last year along with 29 other exceptional researchers.
Season 5 of the We Society Podcast from the Academy of Social Sciences tackles the big questions through a social science lens. Throughout this series, you'll be hearing some of...2024-04-1738 min
The WatchdogThe Truth About Britain's "Grooming Gangs," with Ella CockbainThe truth can’t be racist, wrote British Home Secretary Suella Braverman in April of this year, as she peddled xenophobic and debunked tropes about South Asian men being a particular threat to British children. Braverman’s comments come after nearly a decade of national hysteria about so-called Pakistani “grooming gangs” roaming around the country, sexually abusing white children while overly woke authorities watch on, helpless, too scared to act, lest they be called racist.Braverman, who herself is of South Asian (Indian) origin, made these comments in the far-right magazine The Spectator, an outlet that has publishe...2023-06-0636 min
UCL MindsLunch Hour Lecture | What lies behind the “Muslim grooming gangs” crisis?Date of Lecture: Tuesday 6 December 2022
About the Lecture:
For over a decade, the UK has seen an intense focus on “Muslim grooming gangs”. On the one hand, perpetrators have caused very real and significant harms that demand a solid response. On the other, the threat of child sexual exploitation has been actively racialised in ways that are deliberate, misleading and very damaging. In this talk, Dr Ella Cockbain examines the history and impacts of the dominant narrative around “grooming gangs”, exposing the dodgy data, hidden agendas and convenient omissions involved. She considers who has benefitted and who has been harmed by the w...2022-12-121h 01
OC24 PodcastOrganized Crime in the UKThis roundtable will discuss the situation of organised crime in the UK and policy implications.FELIA ALLUMProfessor of comparative organised crime and corruption, University of Bath, UKELLA COCKBAINDr Ella Cockbain's research focuses primarily on human trafficking, child sexual abuse and labour market abuses. She is interested in rigorous, nuanced and context-sensitive approaches to understanding complex social issues.FRANCISCO GARCIALondon based writer, covering crime, politics and society for various publications, including The Guardian, VICE, Financial Times, Rolling Stone, New Statesman, Wired and Prospect.2022-12-061h 11OC24 PodcastThe truth about modern slaveryThe truth about modern slaveryApparently there are now more slaves than ever before in history. From men working in warehouses for barely any pay, to teenaged Vietnamese girls trafficked into small town nail bars, we're told that modern slavery is all around us, operating in plain sight. But is this really slavery, and is it even a new phenomenon? Why are politicians so keen to talk about trafficking and slavery today? Kenway's lauded book exposes how the idea of modern slavery operates as a political tool, undermining the real work needed to undo endemic exploitation. She...2022-01-211h 10
Adrian Goldberg's Talk ShowTHE WAR ON THE "WOKE"A epic edition in which presenter Adrian Goldberg takes us through the UK government's War On The "Woke". It's a story which encompasses Free Speech Champions on campus, a row over the National Trust and Britain's colonial legacy, and the media narrative surrounding child sexual abuse and Muslim "grooming gangs".
Our distinguished cast list includes Bylines Times reporter Nafeez Ahmed, Bylines Times editor Hardeep Matharu, Leicester University academic Dr Corinne Fowler, UCL's Dr Ella Cockbain and Professor Brian Cathcart from Kingston University.
This podcast is free - but you can support our work by subscribing to the Byline Times here.
...2021-02-1852 min
Radicals in ConversationThe Truth About Modern SlaveryIn 2019, over 10,000 possible victims of slavery were found in the UK. From men working in Sports Direct warehouses for barely any pay, to teenaged Vietnamese girls trafficked into small town nail bars, we're told that modern slavery is all around us, operating in plain sight.
But is this really slavery, and is it even a new phenomenon? Why has the British Conservative Party called it 'one of the great human rights issues of our time', when they usually ignore the exploitation of those at the bottom of the economic pile?
In January 2021, Pluto published a...2021-01-2752 min
Reducing Crime#15 (Ella Cockbain)In this episode of the Reducing Crime podcast, host Jerry Ratcliffe interviews Dr. Ella Cockbain, an Associate Professor in the Department of Security and Crime Science at University College London. They discuss the challenges of tackling human trafficking, labor exploitation, and sexual exploitation. Dr. Cockbain highlights the complexities and misconceptions surrounding trafficking, emphasizing the need for accurate definitions and evidence-based responses. She also discusses the unintended consequences of legislation and policies aimed at combating trafficking, which can inadvertently harm vulnerable populations. The conversation touches on the role of law enforcement, the importance of engaging with sex worker organizations, and the...2019-09-2336 min