Michael Smith

Michael is an early career researcher from Griffith University in Australia. He is an adjunct member of the Griffith Criminology Institute (GCI). He is interested in media criminology, environmental enforcement and green criminology regarding the rhino horn trade in Vietnam.

With 15-years’ experience investigating the rhino horn trade, he holds a PhD, a Master of Arts Research (MAR) and a Master of Journalism. He is the author of a chapter in a Routledge book, Communicating Endangered Species, and a pending book on Vietnamese illegal syndicates based in Africa. Using qualitative news framing methods, he has explored rhino horn demand reduction campaigns and the enforcement of laws against the rhino horn trade in Vietnam. Michael analyses articles in Vietnamese-language newspapers to reveal information on the influence of international pressure and transnational Vietnamese organised crime networks. During his visit to the Centre, he will explore Vietnam’s involvement in international cooperation, such as rhino horn exchanges with South Africa for the world’s largest rhino DNA database.

Prior to his doctoral research, Michael worked in Vietnam as a journalist and sub-editor for national and metro newspapers. He investigated efforts to protect the now extinct Javan Rhino population in Vietnam, the demand for rhino horn in Ho Chi Minh City, and later Vietnamese illegal syndicates’ role in rhino poaching in South Africa. His broader research interests branch into the illegal wildlife trade worldwide. He has 13 years’ experience teaching in the field of communication.