The Governance & Integrity Anti-Corruption Evidence (GI ACE) programme has completed its first year at the University of Sussex’s Centre for the Study of Corruption (CSC), further strengthening the university’s role as a global leader in cutting-edge anti-corruption research.
GI ACE, funded by the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO), focuses on delivering actionable and context-sensitive research. By addressing the complexities of corruption, this research seeks to inform innovative and effective policy options. Since its transition to Sussex in early 2024, the programme has built on CSC’s reputation for high-impact research, policy engagement, and teaching on corruption and anti-corruption measures.
GI ACE has funded over 30 in-depth research projects at leading universities and institutions across the globe, building a network of more than 100 researchers. Its geographical coverage spans several regions, including Africa (including projects in Uganda, Malawi, Kenya, and Congo), Western Balkans and Southeast Europe, Asia (including Bangladesh, India, Nepal, and Indonesia) and Latin America (including Brazil, Chile, and Colombia)
To date, these projects have produced over 150 publications and have helped influence policy development within governments and international organisations. Among these, Dan Haberly’s work on the Regulation of Illicit Financial Flows (RIFF) dataset has provided new insights into illicit financial flows and was covered by The Banker and the International Consortium of Investigative Journalists (ICIJ). Similarly, the recently published Indulging Kleptocracy, which examines how financial and legal systems in democratic states facilitate kleptocrats in protecting and legitimizing their wealth and reputations, also draws on research conducted under GI ACE.
Expanding Research: A New Theme on State Capture
Over the past year, GI ACE has advanced a portfolio of global research projects under three key themes:
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Global finance and the enablers of corruption
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Crisis responses and corruption in vulnerable sectors
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Corruption risks in global trade and commerce
These projects are generating practical insights for policymakers and anti-corruption practitioners, reinforcing CSC and GI ACE‘s commitment to bridging the gap between academic research and real-world policy impact.
As GI ACE enters itssecond year at Sussex, the programme is expanding its research agenda with the launch of a new theme: State Capture. This theme will explore how powerful actors manipulate institutions, laws, and policies for personal or political gain, undermining democratic governance and economic development.
Professor Liz David-Barrett, Director of the CSC and Deputy Director (Research) for GI ACE, says:
“Over the last year, we have made significant progress in building a strong evidence base for anti-corruption policymaking. The launch of our new State Capture theme reflects the evolving nature of corruption threats and our commitment to equipping governments and practitioners with the tools they need to address them.”
Liz’s ongoing work on state capture was recently recognised with The Ideas Prize for Non-Fiction for her book proposal "Power Grab: Opportunists, Populists and the Changing World Order”, further cementing the thought leadership in this critical area.
Strengthening Collaboration and Capacity Building
GI ACE has also contributed to Sussex’s broader anti-corruption research agenda, working alongside faculty and students at the CSC. The programme has facilitated seminars, discussions, and collaborative engagements with key stakeholders, including government agencies, civil society organisations, and international bodies.
This year, GI ACE also launched the Governance & Integrity Fellowship in partnership with the Interdisciplinary Corruption Research Network (ICRN). The Fellowship aims to support early-career researchers from the Global South by providing mentorship, research funding, and engagement opportunities with leading experts in the field.
With several major research projects underway and new collaborations on the horizon, GI ACE remains committed to advancing the field of anti-corruption studies and supporting evidence-based policymaking worldwide.