Economic Crime Research Group

The Economic Crime Research Group (ECRG) brings together a diverse body of scholars interested in the study of ‘economic criminology’.

Economic criminology encompasses a wide range of financially motivated crimes, like fraud, money laundering, but also includes interdisciplinary subjects, like environmental crime, forensic accounting, psychology, cybercrime, forensic science, and policing.

The group is a networking platform that provides a welcoming and safe environment for fostering research collaboration and innovation between peers.

Our activities involve attending events, sharing research ideas and good practice, engaging in peer review feedback, conference presentations, developing joint research funding bids, supporting and mentoring peers, and discovering new opportunities and furthering study or career ambitions.

We hold a number of important events as part of our group and broader Centre for Cybercrime and Economic Crime, including the Annual Counter Fraud, Cybercrime and Forensic Accounting Conference, Winter Economic Crime Symposium, and Economic Crime Seminar Series.

Our research draws upon a wide base of interdisciplinary scholars, who are not just located in traditional schools of criminology.

Economic criminology must embrace the radical criminology espoused by white collar scholars and others, while drawing on every specialist discipline that contributes to the understanding of economic crime - including economics, computer science, security, accountancy, business management, psychology, rehabilitation, policing, and all forms of justice.

Key conferences and events

Annual Counter Fraud and Forensic Accounting Conference 
This annual conference at the University of Portsmouth features more than 20 speakers commenting on the latest ideas and research in economic criminology.

Annual Winter Economic Crime Symposium
This annual event brings together a diverse body of researchers, practitioners, students, and other community members to discuss most relevant economic crime topics in an open and flexible format. 

Economic Crime Seminar Series
A seminar series in economic crime invites those with expertise and interest in economic crime across faculties, departments, students and broader community to come together, share ideas, and engage in a collaborative work.

Teaching and related courses

Browse our Criminology postgraduate research degrees, including PhDs and MPhils.

Researchers in economic crime also teach on the MSc Economic Crime, and contribute modules toward a unique economic crime pathway in our undergraduate criminology provision. Several of our modules and courses are also recognised by important professional bodies such as ACFE. 

We offer training courses, including a Certificate in Intellectual Property Crime and Illicit Trade.

Partnerships and collaborations

We have access to one of the UK's largest groups of active economic crime researchers, and extensive links with policing, enforcement and industry bodies.

Our research is regularly used and funded by government bodies, law enforcement and other public and private organisations who deal with fraud and other economic crime. Recent funders include the Home Office, HM Inspectorate of Constabulary, Intellectual Property Office, the Nuffield Foundation, Cifas, City of London Police, the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) and Crowe UK (formerly Crowe Clark Whitehill LLP).

If you are interested in joining the Economic Crime Research Group or wish to learn more about our research activities, please contact Dr Paul Gilmour: paul.gilmour@port.ac.uk