My research examines anti-money laundering (AML) systems effectiveness in detecting and disrupting financial and commercial networks that enable illegal logging in the Asia-Pacific region, with particular attention to Papua New Guinea. The project will investigate the structural and operational vulnerabilities which enable illegal loggers to bypass AML controls. Moreover, it will explore the network of public, private and civil-society actors which monitor illegal logging and illicit financial flows, to examine how their expertise, resources, technologies and relationships contribute to the effectiveness of AML enforcement.
Illegal logging is responsible for large amounts of criminal proceeds and causes substantial environmental and social harm. Despite AML being utilised as a tool to tackle environmental crimes, existing research and practitioner experience suggest that current interventions are not yet producing considerable changes in the behaviour of illegal logging networks. The research aims to understand why these problems persist and where gaps in cooperation, the sharing of intelligence and resources, and institutional tensions may weaken effective detection and enforcement. Through this research, the project will contribute to the state of knowledge on environmental crime, nodal governance and security networks, in addition to outlining recommendations for AML responses to illegal logging.
My personal interest in this topic area developed throughout my work with the Asia-Pacific Forestry Crime Network (APFCN). I initially joined as an intern before commencing my role as a part-time researcher in early 2025. My work involved researching illicit forestry operations in Papua New Guinea, through investigating corporate structures and trade and financial networks connected to illegal logging. The research contributed to Risk Alerts published by Act Now PNG for use by professionals such as those in banking, law, accountancy and trade. The PhD builds upon this experience and will be conducted in collaboration with Act Now PNG, the Environmental Investigation Agency and Jubilee Australia, utilising their expertise and networks across Papua New Guinea, Malaysia and Australia.
