The GCHT Appoints New Academic Director

The Global Center on Human Trafficking is delighted and honored to announce and introduce our new Academic Director, Dr. Daniela Peterka-Benton.

Dr. Daniela Peterka-Benton, associate professor of Justice Studies at MSU, has a PhD in Sociology with a specialization in Criminology from the University of Vienna, Austria. Her research interests center around transnational crimes such as human trafficking, human smuggling, arms trafficking, and right-wing terrorism and extremism. Prior to her focusing on a full-time academic career, Daniela Peterka-Benton worked for the U.S. State Department’s Office of Diplomatic Security at the U.S. Embassy in Vienna, Austria.

Dr. Peterka-Benton led the development of a Certificate Program in Human Trafficking at Montclair State University which will be launched in Fall 2022. The primary mission of this certificate is to provide students with a comprehensive and critical understanding of global human trafficking, including extent, causes, impact, perpetrators, victims, and responses. Participants will also gain an understanding of sexual offenses and offenders from a multidisciplinary perspective relevant to the human trafficking context.

In her new role, Dr. Peterka-Benton will focus on the further development of educational opportunities related to human trafficking for survivors, students, and professionals. She will also focus on coordinating research grant applications on campus to support the research mission of the Global Center on Human Trafficking. She will also lead the exploration to create a new international journal focusing on human trafficking that brings together cutting-edge research and practice. Furthering the multi-disciplinary approach of the Global Center on Human Trafficking, Dr. Peterka-Benton will act as a key link between the Center and faculty on campus.

For more information about the Certificate Program in Human Trafficking, please contact Daniela at peterkabentd@mail.montclair.edu