Cláudia (Quintans) Costa

Cláudia is currently undertaking a PhD in Criminology and Criminal Justice at the University of Huddersfield. Her doctoral research explores the intersection between Neurodivergence and Child Criminal Exploitation (CCE) within the context of County Lines. She has an academic background in Criminology, Sociology, and International Security, with broader interests in youth justice, structural vulnerability, trauma-informed practice and modern slavery.

Cláudia has experience in disability inclusion, youth engagement and systems change. She has developed accredited training for justice and security professionals and contributed to education policy through research in West Africa. Cláudia is a Youth Fellow at the Learning Planet Institute and a member of the West Yorkshire Youth Commission, supporting youth-led work on violence, exploitation and community empowerment.

As a Research Assistant at Black Box, Cláudia has been developing a specialist training package for legal practitioners on working with expert witnesses in modern slavery and criminal exploitation cases. Her work focuses on equipping lawyers with the knowledge and tools to effectively utilise expert evidence in support of clients seeking protection under Section 45 of the Modern Slavery Act 2015.

Alongside this, Cláudia is undertaking long-term training to become an expert witness herself, with a view to contributing directly to legal proceedings involving victims of modern slavery.

Lasting change happens when research honours lived experience, confronts inequality and drives inclusive policy