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Deakin Covert Networks Lab
Examining and disrupting organised crime and illicit markets
How our criminology research builds safer communities
The Deakin Covert Networks Lab brings together researchers using diverse methods to study organised crime, illicit networks and markets, terrorism, extremism and related areas of criminology. We partner with government and industry to translate research into effective policy and practice.
Alongside active projects and collaborations, members meet monthly to share new research, seek feedback and discuss emerging issues. Guest speakers also contribute insights from research and practice.
Established in May 2024, the Lab includes academics and graduate researchers at all career stages, honours students, collaborators from Australian and international institutions, and government and industry partners.
Our research areas
Drawing on cross-disciplinary expertise, we examine organised crime groups in both local and global contexts.
Structure and dynamics of covert networks
We analyse the organisational structures, roles and interactions within covert networks to understand how they operate, adapt and maintain cohesion over time.
Resilience and disruption strategies
We focus on how covert networks withstand law enforcement efforts, identifying vulnerabilities and developing innovative strategies to disrupt their activities.
Organised crime groups and gangs
We explore the activities, social dynamics and social impacts of organised crime groups and gangs.
Illicit markets
We study established and emerging illicit markets (for example illicit nicotine) employing a range of approaches including policy analysis.
Research for real-world impact
If you're driven by curiosity and a desire to make a meaningful impact, doing a research degree at Deakin offers the opportunity to contribute to societal change through innovative work in criminology, policy and social research.
Organised crime threatens the safety, security and wellbeing of communities across Australia and beyond. The Deakin Covert Networks Lab brings together researchers dedicated to illuminating the hidden dynamics of organised crime and illicit markets - and translating that knowledge into effective policy and practice.
Director, Deakin Covert Networks Lab
Our researchers
Our members are experts in their fields making a real-world impact in the areas of crime and criminology.
Professor David Bright is the director of the Deakin Covert Networks Lab and a criminologist and forensic psychologist specialising in criminal networks, organised crime and illicit markets. An internationally recognised expert in social network analysis, he leads ARC, government and industry-funded research and works closely with law enforcement agencies in Australia and internationally.
Associate Professor James Martin is the deputy director of the Deakin Covert Networks Lab and a criminologist specialising in illicit markets, drug policy, policing and cybercrime. His recent work focuses on Australia’s illicit tobacco and nicotine market, including a major project for the Office of the Illicit Tobacco and E-Cigarette Commissioner.
Dr Callum Jones is a criminologist researching political extremism, the far right and organised crime. He is technical coordinator of the AVERT Research Network and an associate editor of Terrorism and Political Violence.
Dr Phillip Screen is a criminologist at Transcrime, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, specialising in organised crime, criminal networks, corruption and transnational illicit markets. His research spans drug trafficking, waste crime, illicit parcel trafficking and terrorism-related offending.
Natalie Charles – Australian nicotine policy construction and discourse
Shaun McLaws – Understanding the role of co-offending networks on chronic and serious youth offending
Lin Wang – Co-offending patterns among affiliates of Australian outlaw motorcycle gangs
Sufian Dilbar – A network study of professional money laundering
Giovanni Radhitio Putra Sadewo – Ransomware group: a social network perspective
Featured projects
Our members conduct cutting-edge research on gangs, outlaw motorcycle clubs, ransomware groups, firearms trafficking and illicit tobacco markets, among other topics.
Analysing and disrupting outlaw motorcycle gangs in Australia
Funded by the Australian Research Council ($242,575), this project examines co-offending within and between outlaw motorcycle gangs and how these networks change over time. Using social network analysis, interviews, dynamic modelling, focus groups and a domain expert workshop, the research aims to identify more effective ways to prevent and disrupt gang crime. Findings will support law enforcement and criminal intelligence agencies with more targeted, evidence-based approaches and contribute to safer communities.
Research into the nicotine black market in Australia
Funded by the Office of the Illicit Tobacco and E-Cigarette Commissioner ($666,700), this project examines the scale, composition and drivers of Australia’s illicit nicotine market. The market’s rapid growth has increased organised crime involvement, violence, lost government revenue and public health risks. Using quantitative and qualitative methods, the research will build a clearer national picture of illicit tobacco and nicotine supply, supporting more effective policy, enforcement and harm-reduction responses.
Our partnerships
We collaborate with partners across institutions, government and industry, including:
- Victoria Police
- NSW Police
- Queensland Police
- WA Police
- Australian Federal Police
- Office of the Illicit Tobacco and E-Cigarette Commissioner
Our publications
Take an in-depth look at our latest research. For a full list of publications visit the profile pages of our researchers.
Latest publications:
Illicit firearms markets and organised crime: Global, regional and local perspectives (2025), D Bright
The utility of social network analysis to examine conflict and collaboration across boundaries: A review and research agenda for Outlaw Motorcycle Gangs (2025), D Bright, C Whelan, C Jones and K Edson-Wilkinson
Cross-Border Trafficking of Illicit Tobacco Into Australia (2025), A Leiva, D Bright and J Martin
Fanning the flame: analysing the emergence, implications, and challenges of Australia’s de facto war on nicotine (2025), J Martin and E Jegasothy
The Criminal Activities and Operational Roles of Australian Neo-Jihadists: A Network Perspective (2025), P Screen, D Bright and A Aziani
Contact us
Email the Deakin Covert Networks Lab team
