About the Wilberforce Institute
The Wilberforce Institute for the study of Slavery and Emancipation is a research institute at the University of Hull. It was awarded the prestigious Queen’s Anniversary Prize in 2015 in recognition of the transformational studies of slavery and emancipation issues, both historical and contemporary, and for helping to reveal the extent of the incidence of modern day slavery.
The Wilberforce Institute works on a wide range of projects with partners from around the world. Our academics took a major role in shaping the UK’s Modern Slavery Act, which was passed by Parliament in March 2015. As a result of the Act, all UK companies with a turnover of more than £36m, are required to report annually on the steps they have taken to ensure modern slavery isn’t taking place in their supply chain. We offer a ‘risk assessment service’, led by a trained social auditor to help businesses meet the requirements of the law. We are working with one of the UK’s largest supermarkets to check their supply chain, both in the UK and overseas.
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