This talk is part of the TrustCon 2024 Research Lightning Talk session. Lightning talk sessions are 50 minutes long, featuring a series of short 5-7 minute talks back-to-back in the same room, followed by Q&A at the end.

Trust and Safety is a budding field of work, increasingly well known within the tech world. Yet, how much of that extends globally, especially in countries without easy access to tech spaces?  I will make that case that there needs to be increased institutional linkages between the trust & safety world, and the constellation of global research and civil society organizations that do work relevant to T&S, but may not even know it. In this lightning talk I will: 1) give examples of current initiatives in the region that consolidate internet research in the region, summarizing their strengths and weaknesses, 2) suggest ways that Trust & Safety teams can more effectively communicate their work to key stakeholders in the region, and 3) make that case that there needs to be a independent hub for Trust & Safety relevant work in the region.