Laura Murphy

Murphy is an Associate Professor of English and the Director of the Modern Slavery Research Project at Loyola University New Orleans, where she and a team of researchers work to provide data-informed, community-based, survivor-centered research that improves community response to modern slavery in the United States and internationally. She is the author of Survivors of Slavery: Modern-Day Slave Narratives (Columbia University Press, 2014), which highlights the voices of over 40 survivors of 21st century slavery. In her most recent study, she interviewed 641 homeless and runaway youth about their experiences of labor and sexual exploitation, and provided a four-pronged blueprint for how homeless service providers can best assist youth at risk of trafficking. She is a sought-after trainer and public speaker who has educated and motivated thousands of community activists, students, law enforcement officers, service providers, and medical professionals to respond compassionately and effectively to the needs of survivors of trafficking. As a consultant, she provides stakeholders assistance with community-based research, curriculum design, and awareness projects in the field of modern slavery, human trafficking, and other social justice issues.