Ruth Van Dyke

Dr Ruth Van Dyke is an Honorary Visiting Fellow and Research Fellow at the Bakhita Centre on Research in Slavery, Exploitation and Abuse, St Mary's University, since June 2017. Previously, she served as a Senior Lecturer in Social Policy at London South Bank University. Her research focuses on human trafficking, modern slavery, and police responses to these issues. She co-acted as Director of the Bakhita Centre from January 2021 to January 2022.

Key research areas include the competencies required for police to combat human trafficking, evaluations of modern slavery initiatives (e.g., the Victim Navigator Programme and STOP THE TRAFFIK), and the UK’s legal and policy frameworks for addressing modern slavery. Her work has informed training materials, policy reports (e.g., the Child Trafficking Standards), and peer-reviewed publications. She contributed to The Modern Slavery Agenda with a chapter analyzing UK responses to modern slavery.

Ruth’s early research (2009–2013) explored Andean migrant trafficking routes to Europe, documented in The Prelude to Human Trafficking. She also served on the Expert Reference Group for HM Inspectorate of Constabulary’s 2016–17 police force review. Her recent work highlights promising practices in tackling modern slavery through interdisciplinary collaboration and policy innovation.