Laura Agustín

Laura Agustín is a sociologist and researcher known for her work on migration, sex work, and trafficking. Her most influential book, "Sex at the Margins: Migration, Labour Markets and the Rescue Industry" (2007), challenged conventional narratives about sex workers and migrants. Agustín coined the term "rescue industry" to describe what she views as problematic aspects of anti-trafficking organizations and initiatives. Her research focuses on the intersection of migration, informal economies, and sex work, with particular attention to how these topics are framed by media, NGOs, and government policies. Her work has contributed to academic and policy debates about sex worker rights, migration policy, and human trafficking. Agustín maintains a blog called "The Naked Anthropologist" where she continues to write about these themes and related social issues. Agustín's background includes extensive fieldwork in Latin America, Western Europe, and other regions, studying migration patterns and informal economies. She has held research positions at various institutions including the Institute of Latin American Studies at the University of London.

Readers describe Agustín's "Sex at the Margins" as a research-based challenge to common narratives about sex work and trafficking. Many appreciate her questioning of NGO/charity motives and her critique of the "rescue industry." Positive reviews focus on: - Detailed field research and interviews - Debunking of trafficking statistics/myths - Clear writing style on complex topics - Balance between academic rigor and accessibility Common criticisms: - Too academic/theoretical for general readers - Some find her tone dismissive of trafficking concerns - Limited geographic scope of research - Not enough proposed solutions Ratings: Goodreads: 4.1/5 (500+ ratings) Amazon: 4.3/5 (50+ reviews) Representative review: "Eye-opening research that forces you to question assumptions about migration and sex work, though the academic prose can be dense at times." - Goodreads reviewer Reviews indicate readers must approach with openness to having preconceptions challenged - this shapes whether they find the work enlightening or problematic.

Sex at the Margins: Migration, Labour Markets and the Rescue Industry (2007) Examines how the concept of "trafficking" has been constructed and challenges assumptions about sex work, migration, and humanitarian interventions.

The Three-Headed Dog (2016) A work of fiction following three characters whose lives intersect in contemporary Madrid while exploring themes of migration and sexual commerce.

The Industrial Vagina: The Political Economy of the Global Sex Trade (2009) Analyzes global sex commerce through an economic lens, examining historical and contemporary factors that shape sex markets worldwide.

The Cultural Study of Commercial Sex (2005) A collection of essays exploring various cultural aspects of commercial sex work across different societies and time periods.

The Making of Sexual Subjects (2010) Investigates how social categories and identities related to sexuality are formed and maintained in different cultural contexts.