Transnational maritime organised crime across virtual and physical spaces;  non-traditional maritime security challenges; modern slavery, human smuggling and trafficking by sea; privatisation of security; non-state actors in maritime security; maritime security governance; maritime security policies and strategies.

Dr. Ioannis Chapsos is the Research Lead in Maritime Security at Coventry University's Centre for Peace and Security (CPS). His research aims to better understand the land-sea nexus in the context of international security, feed into sustainable policy responses and build maritime security capacities as required. He is particularly interested in the increasing involvement of non-state actors in international security as victims, perpetrators and security providers, especially through a gender lens. His research interests also encompass the global trend of privatisation of maritime security and the potential implications in international security.

Ioannis has worked on a number of research projects where he explored the links between illegal (IUU) fishing and transnational organised maritime crime in the fishing industry (such as human trafficking/ modern slavery, forced labour, etc.) and the respective strategies, responses to challenges and threats, as well as their implications on coastal communities, particularly in SE Asia (Indonesia). His current research is focused on migration-related transnational organised crime in Indonesian waters, aiming to help develop common understanding between key local stakeholders and support the Government of Indonesia's efforts to improve maritime security and address these crimes. 

Ioannis is a Captain (ret) of the Hellenic Navy with more than 16 years of seagoing service and former lecturer on international security and strategy at the Hellenic Supreme Joint War College / Security and Strategy Department. 

Area of Expertise:

Maritime Security, Governance and Capacity Building, Serious Transnational Organised Crime, Privatisation of Security 

The maritime domain is the medium which connects continents, regions, states and communities rather than a barrier that separates them. Although it significantly contributes to international trade and development, it is inevitably exploited also by criminal networks for illicit activities. The aim of my research is to inform and influence policies and highlight the inseparable land-sea nexus, by collecting and disseminating evidence on the role of the maritime space as enabling factor for transnational organised crime, hence the need for enhanced maritime security.