It is hoped that the Standing Group will facilitate the development of theoretical approaches as well as in-depth studies of empirical examples, to network members, to create fruitful exchanges between disciplines with a regular flow of information on projects, etc. This Standing Group would also allow researchers to meet on a regular basis and promote an active publication agenda.

The specific aims of this Standing Group are:

• To promote the study of organised crime across disciplines and continents;
• To initiate new research agendas according to the interests of members of the Standing Group as well as bringing together researchers, practitioners and policy makers to discuss them;
• To develop and facilitate interdisciplinary cooperation and research among members;
• To facilitate electronic and other forms of communication;
• To provide more formal information with a bi-annual newsletter and a research directory (e-directory);
• To contribute to the activities of the ECPR: To organise conferences and seminars on various aspects of organised crime and Workshops at the ECPR annual Joint Sessions and Panels at ECPR General Conferences.