Laura Murphy

Laura Murphy serves as a Policy Advisor to the Under Secretary in the Office of Strategy, Policy, and Plans at the U.S. Department of Homeland Security since November 2023. Currently, Laura holds the position of Professor of Human Rights and Contemporary Slavery at Sheffield Hallam University, a role commenced in May 2019. Previously, Laura was an Associate Professor and Director of the Modern Slavery Research Project at Loyola University New Orleans from August 2010 to May 2019. Additional experience includes roles as a Visiting Fellow at The British Academy, a John G. Medlin, Jr. Fellow at the National Humanities Center, and an Assistant Professor at Ithaca College. Laura's academic journey began at Harvard University, where Laura earned a PhD in African and African American Studies and a Master's degree in English Language and Literature. Prior education includes a Master's degree from Syracuse University and a Bachelor's degree from Louisiana State University.