Our Team

Michael is Head of Research at Transparency International – Defence & Security (TI-DS) where he leads the design and delivery of TI-DS’s global research agenda. He previously managed the production of the Government Defence Integrity Index (GDI) 2020. Prior to joining TI-DS, Michael was Director of Research at the Institute of Economic Affairs (Ghana) where he spent 8 years leading research and coordinating a broad range of national and international projects. He has contributed to several public policy reform initiatives in the area of governance and constitution review. Michael has also provided technical support to key institutions, including Ghana’s Parliament, which he has advised on legislation such as the Presidential (Transition) Act. He has authored several publications on institutional reform, anti-corruption and public financial management. Michael holds a PhD from the University of Edinburgh, an MSc (Econ) in Political Economy from the London School of Economics (LSE) and a BA (Hons) in Economics and Politics from the University of Kent.

Francesca is the Head of Advocacy at TI-DS, where she leads efforts to advance the governance and integrity of the European defence sector and to integrate anti-corruption into the global peace and security agenda. She has extensive expertise in multilateral diplomacy, strategy planning and implementation, and in conducting, managing, and disseminating research, and translating analytical and technical findings into policies and programming at the peace-development-humanitarian nexus. Her 20+ year career spans roles in international organisations, academia, think tanks, and NGOs, focusing on conflict analysis and resolution and the protection and assistance of victims of armed violence.

Colby Goodman is a Senior Consultant at Transparency International Defence and Security (TI-DS) and an expert commentator on US security assistance abroad. At TI-DS, he conducts research and provides advice on corruption risks within the international arms trade and other forms of external assistance to defense forces.

Mr. Goodman has fought to reduce corruption risks and prevent harm in US security assistance over the past 15 years by uncovering some of the deeper challenges and illuminating ways to address these challenges. Three-parts policy sleuth and one-part advocate, he exposed key corruption-related risks in US counterterrorism aid and in changes to US controls on commercial arms sales as the former Director of the Security Assistance Monitor program. Government officials or congressional staff have used his insights to stop illegal trafficking networks in Africa, enhance US oversight over gifts of US military weapons and training, and push for effective controls on commercial arms sales around the world.

Dr. Patrick Kwasi Brobbey is a Research Project Manager – Government Defence Integrity Index (GDI) responsible for managing the production and the delivery of the GDI. Patrick is a politics and international development expert who specialises in public opinion formation, governance, conflict, and peacebuilding. Prior to joining Transparency International, Patrick was an LSE Fellow at the Department of Methodology at the London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE), where he conducted independent research and taught on methodology courses designed for social science research, in general, and politics and international development research, in particular. He has also served as a Research and Evaluation Consultant for organisations like World Vision International, International Organization for Migration (IOM), and International Civil Society Action Network (ICAN) and has provided strategic advice on aspects of Kenyan elections to concentrate financial and technical assistance to the Governance Team, DFID Kenya and the Donor Group on Elections. Patrick’s work has yielded academic, policy, and journalistic publications. He holds a PhD in African Studies from the University of Edinburgh, an MA in Political Science from McGill University, and a BA (First Class Hons.) in Sociology with Political Science from the University of Ghana.

Emily works on advocacy and research across both TI Defence & Security, having previously held the position of Research & Reporting Officer within TI Global Health. Her main responsibilities include supporting the development of research publications, blogs and advocacy materials, conducting research, and coordinating initiatives across the international programmes. Emily holds a Masters degree in International Development from the University of Manchester and has previously gained work experience in Germany, Kenya and Uganda.

Lea is a Research Project Officer for the 2025 Government Defence Integrity Index (GDI). Prior to joining us, she was a Defence Budgets and Forecast Analyst at Janes - a defence open-source intelligence company based in London. Lea holds a MA in International Peace and Security from King's College London and a BA in European Studies from University College London.

Irasema is a Research Project Officer for the Government Defence Integrity Index (GDI). She is a researcher specialising in corruption and governance. She completed her PhD in Politics at the University of Sussex where she made significant contributions to the Centre for the Study of Corruption. Her doctoral project employed mixed methods to explain the power dynamics facilitating corruption risks in public procurement. Irasema also has extensive experience working in the Mexican public sector, which includes leading projects that enhanced fiscal transparency and public participation.

Denitsa is responsible for conducting qualitative and mixed-methods research projects, producing and facilitating literature reviews, synthesis studies and case-based studies on key topics. She holds a Bachelor of Social Sciences in Politics and International Relations from the University of Manchester and has previously worked as Junior Research Executive at YouGov as well as a policy intern for the Administration of the President of Bulgaria at the Unit of Strategic Policies, Analyses and Prognoses.

Yi Kang is responsible for enabling Transparency International Defence and Security to operate efficiently and effectively, by delivering rigorous operational and programme administration support across our global portfolio. He is dedicated to the mission to strengthen transparency, accountability and oversight systems in a traditionally opaque and secretive sector.

Yi Kang brings in multi-sectoral expertise, having being part of a wide range of civil society organisations, charities, and international law firms. He holds a Masters in Corporate Law from the University of Cambridge and a LLB Law Degree from the Queen’s University of Belfast. Yi Kang speaks Mandarin, Cantonese and Malay.