Laura T. Murphy

Professor Laura T. Murphy is a Professor of Human Rights and Contemporary Slavery at the Helena Kennedy Centre for International Justice, part of Sheffield Hallam University's College of Social Sciences and Arts. Her research focuses on global forced labor, contemporary slavery, and trafficking, with particular emphasis on the Uyghur Region's systemic exploitation and its ties to international supply chains. She has advised governments, NGOs, and corporations on human rights policies, including the development of medical response protocols for human trafficking victims. Her work bridges academia and activism, addressing issues like solar energy exploitation, automotive supply chains, and forced labor in plastics industries.

Key achievements include books such as Freedomville: The Story of a 21st Century Slave Revolt (2021) and The New Slave Narrative (2019), which challenge dominant representations of modern slavery. Her research teams have produced influential reports on Uyghur forced labor, including analyses of solar, automotive, and chemical sectors. She has received prestigious awards like the National Endowment for the Humanities Public Scholar Award and collaborated with global institutions like the World Health Organization and U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.

Earlier work focused on homeless youth trafficking in the U.S. and Canada, yielding a victim-centered community blueprint. Current projects include ethical procurement strategies and core competencies for healthcare professionals addressing trafficking. Her interdisciplinary approach integrates literature, policy, and grassroots advocacy to combat systemic exploitation.