{"id":267,"date":"2025-08-04T15:54:55","date_gmt":"2025-08-04T15:54:55","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.research.ucf.edu\/htms-test\/?page_id=267"},"modified":"2025-10-21T15:41:13","modified_gmt":"2025-10-21T15:41:13","slug":"research","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.research.ucf.edu\/htms\/research\/","title":{"rendered":"Research"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<div class=\"wp-block-group\"><div class=\"wp-block-group__inner-container is-layout-constrained wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\"><div class=\"wp-bootstrap-blocks-container container mb-2 pt-5 pb-5\">\n\t\n\n<p>At the Center for the Study of Human Trafficking and Modern Slavery (HTMS) at the University of Central Florida, we are dedicated to combating human trafficking through comprehensive research, scholarly publications, and impactful presentations. Our multifaceted approach aims to illuminate the complexities of this global epidemic, foster informed dialogue, and drive actionable solutions. By leveraging the expertise of interdisciplinary teams and partnering with local, national, and international organizations, we strive to create a holistic understanding of human trafficking. Our goal is not only to provide academic insights but also to translate our findings into practical strategies that can be implemented by policymakers, law enforcement, and community organizations. We are committed to empowering survivors, educating future leaders, and raising awareness through our innovative and collaborative efforts. Together, we can work towards a future where human trafficking is eradicated, and every individual is free from exploitation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group pt-3\"><div class=\"wp-block-group__inner-container is-layout-constrained wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-group\"><div class=\"wp-block-group__inner-container is-layout-constrained wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\">\n<h1 class=\"wp-block-heading heading-underline mt-5\">RESEARCH PAPER PUBLICATIONS<\/h1>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h4\">Mitigating the Scale, Reach, and Impact of Human Trafficking at Major Events: A North American Perspective<\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p>Human trafficking is a global problem with challenges for societies and those agencies tasked with the protection of the public. Much human trafficking is in the form of sex or labor trafficking with over 22,000 cases reported in the US alone in 2019. Although prevalent in many industries, the event industry is particularly vulnerable to human trafficking with tourism destinations and the major events they host prone to such activity. This exploratory study, underpinned by collaboration theory, adopts a qualitative approach by interviewing stakeholders in the US to identify the causes, scale, reach, and impact of human trafficking in the context of major events. The study then identifies those initiatives designed and implemented to help mitigate the occurrences of human trafficking activity and minimize the damage to individuals and negative reputation for those major events caught up in this modern-day criminality.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Authors:<\/strong>&nbsp;Wickey, J., Fyall, A, Panse, G., &amp; Ronzoni, G (2023)<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Journal:<\/strong>&nbsp;Event Management Journal<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/doi.org\/10.3727\/152599522X16419948695152\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">READ THE FULL ARTICLE<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group\"><div class=\"wp-block-group__inner-container is-layout-constrained wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\">\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\">A Qualitative Assessment of Hotel Employee Engagement in Anti-Human-Trafficking Initiatives<\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p>The hospitality industry is particularly vulnerable to human trafficking crimes. Unfortunately, prior research has not sufficiently tackled this important issue. This study investigates hotel employees\u2019 motivation and engagement in anti-human-trafficking initiatives by conducting in-depth qualitative interviews. A total of 28 hotel professionals, ranging from managers to frontline staff members, who work at both international chains and independent hotel properties, participated in the investigation. Data were analyzed using the MAXQDA Pro 12 package. Results identified five main themes (leadership, organizational system, peer support, technology, and training) consisting of 21 factors that impact hotel employees\u2019 engagement in anti-human-trafficking initiatives. The study findings are valuable to hotel practitioners, policymakers, and society at large in order to help prevent human trafficking crimes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Authors:<\/strong>&nbsp;Zhang, T., Ronzoni, G., Medeiros, M., &amp; Bufquin, D. (2022)<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Journal:<\/strong>&nbsp;International Journal of Hospitality Management<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1016\/j.ijhm.2022.103148\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">READ THE FULL ARTICLE<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group pt-3\"><div class=\"wp-block-group__inner-container is-layout-constrained wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\">\n<h1 class=\"wp-block-heading heading-underline mt-5\">RESEARCH GRANTS<\/h1>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">2024 Phase 1 of the HHS Innovation Challenge to Prevent Human Trafficking Among Women and Girls.<\/h3>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-bootstrap-blocks-row row\">\n\t\n\n<div class=\"col-12 col-md-9 pt-3\">\n\t\t\t\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Year:<\/strong>&nbsp;2024<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Grant:<\/strong>&nbsp;U.S. Department of Health and Human Services<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Amount:<\/strong>&nbsp;Awarded $50,000<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Foundation:<\/strong>&nbsp;US Department of State<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>PI:<\/strong>&nbsp;Zhang, T.,&nbsp;<strong>Co-PI:<\/strong>&nbsp;Wickey Byrd, J.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\t<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"col-12 col-md-3\">\n\t\t\t\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-thumbnail\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/dev-ucf-rchm.pantheonsite.io\/hospitality-ucf-edu\/\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2024\/12\/US_Department_of_Health_and_Human_Services_seal-150x150.png\" alt=\"Department Of Health logo\" class=\"wp-image-6399\"\/><\/figure>\n\n\t<\/div>\n\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"","protected":false},"author":548,"featured_media":0,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"template-fullscreen.php","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"_seopress_robots_primary_cat":"","_seopress_titles_title":"","_seopress_titles_desc":"","_seopress_robots_index":"","footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-267","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO Premium plugin v23.0 (Yoast SEO v26.9) - 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