ProfessorDavid Bright

Professor David Bright is a criminologist and forensic psychologist. He runs the Deakin Covert Networks Lab which conducts ground-breaking research using social network analysis and related approaches to study crime. His research interests include criminal networks, organised crime, terrorism, drugs and crime, and desistance from crime. He is an internationally recognised expert in the use of social network analysis and related approaches to study organised criminal groups, gangs, and terrorist groups. Professor Bright has been Chief Investigator on seven consecutive ARC funded projects in addition to receiving funding from other industry and government sources. His book (co-authored with Professor Chad Whelan), 'Organised Crime and Law Enforcement: A Network Perspective', examines organised crime and law enforcement through the conceptual lens of networks. His most recent book, published by Oxford University Press in 2025 is titled 'Illicit firearms markets and organised crime: Global, regional and local perspectives'. This book explores international intersections between illicit firearms markets and the activities of organised criminal groups.