Evidence that reaches the people who act on it

OXIL Research translates complex technical data and policy experience into practical evidence for decision-makers. Working across critical thematic areas—such as scams and fraud, cyber norms and policy, UN processes, digital standards and internet governance—we tackle the systemic challenges of the digital environment.

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What We Work On

OXIL Research is the research arm of Oxford Information Labs. Browse through our ongoing projects.

Rethinking Scam Prevention

Supported by Google.orgExplore the project

Threat Signal Research

Quantitative and AI driven analysis of threat signals from the Global Signal Exchange, unpacking scammer tactics.

Safeguarding, Not Blame

Shifting the burden of scam prevention away from victims, towards the organisations better placed to act on threat cues.

Scam Prevention Training

Industry and Continuing Professional Development Training in safeguarding against scams and fraud.

Cyber Meridian

Supported by Global Affairs CanadaExplore the project

A Bridge to the UN

Connecting technical experts, industry, civil society and academia with the States negotiating at the UN Global Mechanism, in both directions.

Evidence for Delegations

Global consultations, technical briefings and three concise reports a year, timed to the issues States are due to discuss.

Broadening Participation

Outreach and training that bring in under-represented regions, operators new to UN processes, and women experts.

Our Projects

Each project pairs original research with something practical at the end of it, from tools and training for frontline organisations to evidence delivered directly to UN delegations.

Active2026 - 2027

Rethinking Scam Prevention: Leveraging AI to research scam signals

A two year project investigating how scammers target different adult populations, using AI driven analysis of 70 million threat signals to build a new, safeguarding led approach to scam prevention.

Scams & fraud
Safeguarding
AI & threat signals
UK & Ireland

Explore the project

Active

Cyber Meridian: Connecting multistakeholder expertise with UN cyber diplomacy

Cyber Meridian Initiative (CMI) supports the evidence-based governance of cyber issues work within the UN Global Mechanism (G-Mech) by making the expertise of the multistakeholder community available to Member States in a structured and timely way.

Cyber diplomacy
United Nations
Multistakeholder engagement

Explore the project

Latest Publications

17 March 2026

Rethinking Scam Prevention: Large-Scale, AI-powered analysis for a Safeguarding Approach

This report, authored by Oxford Information Labs Research (OXIL Research) with support from Google.org, uses AI-powered semantic analysis of 28.6 million domain-based signals collected through the Global Signal Exchange (GSE) to analyse scammer behaviour in 2025. The analysis measures semantic relevance of domain-based signals for target groups, age groups and thematic lures employed by scammers. The findings challenge traditional assumptions about victimhood and advocate for a transition from individual awareness to a collective safeguarding approach.

17 March 2026

Connecting the Dots to Fight Scams: A Practical Framework for Data Sharing

Scams and fraud have become a global, systemic threat. In 2025 alone, more than half of adults worldwide were exposed to scam attempts, with losses estimated at over USD 440 billion. These harms are not isolated incidents: they are the product of highly coordinated adversaries operating across platforms, sectors, and borders, deliberately exploiting fragmentation in detection, governance, and enforcement

27 March 2024

NET EFFECTS: an evidence-led exploration of IGF impact

As the Internet Governance Forum nears its twentieth anniversary, this report takes an evidence-based approach to describe the forum's main accomplishments since the last World Summit of the Information Society (WSIS) review in 2016. The report introduces direct and indirect impacts of the IGF, and outlines specific wins for the Global South. Entering into the next round of WSIS negotiations the report expects to inform discussions about the forum’s renewal and mandate going forward.

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