A Comprehensive Analysis of Corruption: Typologies, Measurement and Causality

Target audience

Doctoral candidates in both early and advanced stages, drawn from (but not restricted to) diverse faculties including Arts and Philosophy, Law and Criminology, Economics and Business Administration, Psychology and Educational Sciences, and Political and Social Sciences. Participants are required to possess basic knowledge in social science research methodologies and theories relevant to corruption and criminal behavior.

Organizing and scientific committee

Prof. Christophe Vandeviver (Faculty of Law and Criminology, Department of Criminology)

Prof. Jelle Janssens (Faculty of Law and Criminology, Department of Criminology)

PhD candidate Ariana Bravo (Faculty of Law and Criminology, Department of Criminology)

Lecturer

Dr. Joseph Pozsgai-Alvarez is a highly qualified expert in anti-corruption and public integrity, currently serving as a Specially Appointed Associate Professor at Osaka University, Japan. He is the founder of the Japan Network of Anti-Corruption Researchers (JANAR) and a member of the Steering Committee on (Anti-)Corruption and Integrity of the European Consortium for Political Research (ECPR). He is also on the Editorial Board of the Journal of Economic Criminology (Elsevier).

Dr. Pozsgai-Alvarez's research over the past decade has focused on corruption tolerance and the political dynamics of anti-corruption reforms. He has edited significant works like "The Politics of Anti-Corruption Agencies in Latin America" (Routledge, 2021) and is co-editing the "Routledge Handbook of Anti-Corruption Research and Practice." His interdisciplinary research approach, integrating social psychology, organizational studies, and machine learning, contributes to a deeper understanding of corruption dynamics.

For more information about his academic work, visit his website. 

Abstract

This 15-hour course delves into the complexities of corruption research through a collaborative lens. Each day begins with a 2-hour presentation on the historical, geographical, measurement, and causal aspects of corruption, followed by a 3-hour guided co-creation session. Participants will engage in problem-solving activities, building on each day's insights to develop a comprehensive understanding of corruption and its research methodologies.

Objectives

1. Understand the historical and geographical variations in corruption.
2. Evaluate corruption levels using national and subnational measurement approaches.
3. Analyze the causes and consequences of corruption across different fields.
4. Develop co-creation skills through guided activities focusing on problem-solving.
5. Integrate and synthesize knowledge progressively across sessions.
6. Foster critical thinking, creative problem-solving, and practical application of theoretical concepts.
7. Enhance communication, collaboration, and teamwork skills.
8. Adopt a multidisciplinary perspective on corruption research

Dates and venue

28-30 January 2025

Faculty Board Room, Faculty of Law and Criminology 

Programme

A detailed overview

Day 1: Typology - Historical and Geographical Varieties of Corruption

• Morning Session (Lecture: 2 hours):
  1. Introduction to the typology of corruption.
  2. Historical perspectives on corruption.
  3. Geographical variables of corruption.
• Afternoon Session (Guided Co-creation Activity: 3 hours):
  1. Group work on identifying and categorizing different types of corruption.
  2. Presentation and discussion of group findings and open discussion.

Day 2: Measurement - Approaches to National and Subnational Evaluation of Corruption Levels

• Morning Session (Lecture: 2 hours):
  1. Overview of corruption measurement techniques.
  2. National vs. subnational measurement challenges.
  3. Key indicators and indices used globally.

• Afternoon Session (Guided Co-creation Activity: 3 hours):
  1. Practical exercises on evaluating corruption levels using different indices.
  2. Analysis of existing measurement tools
  3. Group presentations and peer feedback.

Day 3: Causality - Causes and Consequences of Corruption Across Fields

• Morning Session (Lecture: 2 hours):
  1. Analysis of the causes of corruption.
  2. Examination of the consequences of corruption in various fields (economics, politics, social).
• Afternoon Session (Guided Co-creation Activity: 3 hours):
  1. Case studies analysis on causality.
  2. Group work on mapping out cause-and-effect relationships.
  3. Presentation and discussion of group findings and open discussion.

Registration

• Register here
• Cancellation of your registration can only be performed by sending an email to doctoralschools@ugent.be.

• The no show policy applies.

Registration fee

Free of charge for Doctoral School members. The fee for students of non-Flemish universities or members of the Doctoral School is 150 euros (one-time payment).

Number of participants

Maximum 15

Language

English

Evaluation method

Each participant is expected to briefly present their research topic to foster an engaging discussion, which will also contribute to the co-creation session. 100% attendance in all sessions.

After successful participation, the Doctoral School Office will add this course to your curriculum of the Doctoral Training Programme in Oasis. Please note that this can take up to one to two months after completion of the course.

More information

If you have any questions about the content of this course, feel free to contact Ariana Bravo Matamoros.