Dr. Bodean Hedwards is a criminologist, focused predominantly on responses to slavery, human trafficking and related forms of exploitation.

In addition to her research, Bodean is an experienced project manager, and is currently managing Monash University’s Global Immersion Guarantee; an Australian first initiative that seeks to engage students in innovative and sustainable solutions to the human impact on the environment. Prior to this, Bodean was a Research Associate at the Border Crossings Observatory and the Rights and Justice Priority Area at Nottingham University, where she worked on a variety of research projects focused on slavery and trafficking. She was also a Researcher with the Walk Free Foundation where she specialised in assessing government responses to modern slavery throughout Southeast Asia. Bodean has also worked with the Australian Institute of Criminology in Canberra on a range of issues, including anti-human trafficking, countering violent extremism and indigenous justice.