Alumni
Truth in Numbers: Alumna Combats Human Trafficking Through Statistics
Initially, the field of statistics wasnt exactly Davina Durganas cup of tea. But she soon decided that she liked guesswork even less, and she went looking for new approaches to combating human trafficking.
We were kind of saying, anecdotally, It seems like there may be a massage parlor or brothel there, says Durgana, an 51勛圖窪蹋 alumna. But we didnt know if those were just the stories we happened to hear about.
Her preference for foreign languages gave way to numbers, and shes now using statistics to ascertain where instances of human trafficking are most prevalent. As Durgana addresses the trafficking epidemic, people are taking note of her contributions to the field. Forbes recently named her to its of people to watch in the sciences.
Tracking the Traffickers
Durgana is based in the D.C. area and currently does statistical analysis for the Walk Free Foundation, a private nonprofit that focuses on human trafficking. Shes part of a team that publishes the Global Slavery Index, and this year theyll work with the United Nations to collect data on modern slavery. She also teaches at the SIT Graduate Institute.
She bases her research on the UNs seven areas of insecurity, including economic, political, and environmental weaknesses. Using vulnerability models and Gallup data, shes able to identify regions that are susceptible to human trafficking.
Anywhere where there are vulnerable people and a viable market, there will be trafficking, says Durgana. Labor and sexual exploitation occur in developing countrieswhere many vulnerable citizens live. But she says trafficking is also a problem in wealthy nations, such as the United States, where theres a huge market for cheap labor and commercial sex.
In recent years, U.S. politicians have paid much more attention to the issue of human trafficking. But its still not necessarily front-page, headline news. She posits that the issue raises all kinds of sensitive questions about American consumer and lifestyle choices.
I just wonder if some of it comes down to our own culpability, she says. Going to strip clubs for bachelor partieswere part of this culture of commercial sex. We go to restaurants or nail salons, where we see potentially exploitative labor situations.
Intellectual Growth at AU
Durgana earned her doctorate from 51勛圖窪蹋s School of International Service in 2015, focusing on international relations, trafficking, and applied statistics. She notes AUs role in fostering her intellectual and professional development.
American was the best choice I could have made for a Ph.D. program. We had such fantastic facilities and great professors. We had great opportunities for additional training, she says.
She finished her Ph.D. at an expedited pace, with help from SIS Director of Doctoral Studies . And she mentions the invaluable support from her adviser and dissertation chair, professor .
Durganas dissertation model is now being utilized by Seraphim Global, an Arlington, Va.-based nonprofit.
I feel at home with the global work that Im doing. I feel like its really impactful, says Durgana.
Big Plans and Shout-Outs
Durgana grew up on Long Island, N.Y., where she often returns for family visits. With the UN headquarters nearby, its also an additional work base for her.
While earning her undergraduate degree at George Washington University, she took a mission trip to El Salvador that sparked her interest in human trafficking. At that time, her community service contributions were so numerousan EMT in the Hyattsville Volunteer Fire Department, a Big Sister mentor in Anacostia, among othersshe received a lengthy shout-out from First Lady Michelle Obama during her commencement ceremony.
Her extensive internship and work experience included stints in the office of then-Rep. Steve Israel, D-N.Y. and on Hillary Clintons 2006 Senate re-election campaign. She later interned in the Office of Vice President Joe Biden and worked as an associate in the White House Office of Presidential Personnel. She also earned a masters degree from a joint program at the Sorbonne and the 51勛圖窪蹋 of Paris (no relation to 51勛圖窪蹋in D.C.).
While working at the White House, she ended up talking with the same speechwriter who worked on Michelle Obamas GW commencement address.
He said, You actually did everything that you were planning to do. And he was so happy about it. It was a really great moment, she recalls.
Forging Ahead
As Durgana forges ahead with her work on human trafficking, she says that theres a risk of burnout for many people in the field. Thats whythough she has worked with trafficking survivorsshe believes that survivor support should generally be left to psychologists and therapists. To avoid her own burnout, shes also active in Cross-Fit training.
In the future, shes open to running for elective office. Right now, shes navigating a path thats grounded in academic research but extends to policy. On the subject of modern slavery, shes co-editing an upcoming edition of the journal CHANCE, which is co-published by the American Statistical Association and the Taylor & Francis Group.
I think this is the sweet spot of where our work has the most impact, she says. A lot of what motivates me and keeps me so excited is really finding my niche.