Dr. David Okech is an internationally recognized scholar, researcher, and leader in the field of
human trafficking and social development. He is the founding director of the Center on Human
Trafficking Research & Outreach (CenHTRO) at the University of Georgia, where he also serves
as the GA Athletics Association Endowed Professor at the School of Social Work. With a career
spanning over two decades, Dr. Okech has led groundbreaking, interdisciplinary research and
programming across Sub-Saharan Africa, particularly focused on understanding and reducing the
prevalence and impact of trafficking in persons.
Dr. Okech’s work integrates evidence-based practice, community-driven interventions, and
rigorous research methodologies. He has served as Principal Investigator or Co-Principal
Investigator on projects totaling over $40 million in funding, including studies on prevalence
estimation, reintegration of trafficking survivors, and financial capability interventions to prevent
exploitation. He also leads global partnerships with institutions such as the United Nations Office
on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), International Labour Organization (ILO), and the International
Organization for Migration (IOM), advancing standards and methodologies in anti-trafficking
research.
His leadership in convening the global Prevalence Reduction Innovation Forum (PRIF) and
organizing major regional policy events such as the ECOWAS Conference on Ending Human
Trafficking reflects his commitment to fostering multi-sectoral solutions to trafficking. Dr.
Okech’s work has informed policy, legislation, and programming in countries like Sierra Leone,
Senegal, Guinea, Ghana, Malawi and Zambia.
At CATRE, Dr. Okech brings global thought leadership, scientific rigor, and deep expertise in
anti-trafficking research and practice. His work in prevalence estimation, survivor reintegration,
and systems-level policy engagement strengthens CATRE’s mission to lead in research, design
culturally grounded, trauma-informed responses, and collaborate with communities in Uganda
and beyond to build a future free from exploitation.