Laura Murphy

Laura T. Murphy is currently serving as a Policy Advisor to the Under Secretary for Strategy, Policy, and Plans at the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS). Her role focuses primarily on the implementation and enforcement of the Uyghur Forced Labor Prevention Act, which aims to combat forced labor practices, particularly those linked to the Uyghur region in China.12

Background and Expertise

Dr. Murphy has a robust academic and professional background in human rights and contemporary slavery. She is a Professor at the Helena Kennedy Centre for International Justice at Sheffield Hallam University, where she directs research on forced labor and has been instrumental in identifying goods associated with forced labor practices.34 Her research interests include survivor narratives and the international supply chains that facilitate forced labor across various sectors, including automotive and apparel.3

Before joining DHS in November 2023, Murphy directed the Forced Labor Lab at Sheffield Hallam University, where her team produced significant reports that informed U.S. Customs enforcement strategies against imports made with forced labor.14 She has also worked internationally on human trafficking issues in regions such as West Africa, India, and Canada, providing expert testimony to various government bodies.23

Contributions to Policy

In her new role at DHS, Murphy will liaise with stakeholders to develop strategies aimed at preventing forced-labor-made goods from entering the U.S. market. She has expressed her commitment to continuing her work on forced labor issues while collaborating with various governmental and non-governmental entities.15

Murphy's extensive experience and research make her a vital asset in shaping U.S. policies regarding forced labor prevention and enforcement efforts globally.