Mafalda Pardal

@PardalMafalda on Twitter

Research Leader and European lead for the RAND Drug Policy Research Center

Brussels Office

Education

Ph.D. in criminology, Ghent University, Belgium; M.Sc. in criminology, KU Leuven, Belgium; B.A. in law, University of Coimbra, Portugal

One Page Bio

Media Resources

This researcher is available for interviews.

To arrange an interview, contact RAND Europe Media Relations at +44 (1223) 353 329, x2560, or email europeanmedia@rand.org.

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Overview

Mafalda Pardal is a research leader at RAND Europe and the European lead for the RAND Drug Policy Research Center. Her research interests revolve around the analysis of illicit markets and drug policy.

Prior to (re-)joining RAND, she was affiliated with Ghent University (Belgium) as assistant professor in criminology and postdoctoral research fellow. She has also been a visiting researcher at the Catholic University of Uruguay. Pardal was previously an analyst at RAND Europe.

In recent years, her research has focused on models of cannabis regulation (including Cannabis Social Clubs) and analyses of impacts of cannabis policies on various outcomes; the nonmedical use of prescription drugs among young populations; the environmental harms of illegal synthetic drug production; policies aimed at preventing and disrupting organised crime; drug-related corruption; and other illicit market dynamics.

Her research has been published in the International Journal of Drug Policy, the European Journal of Criminology, the Journal of Drug Issues, in Methodological Innovations, among others. Pardal edited a book about Cannabis Social Clubs, published by Routledge.

Pardal holds a Ph.D. in criminology from Ghent University (Belgium), a M.Sc. in criminology from KU Leuven (Belgium), and a B.A. in law from the University of Coimbra (Portugal).

Research Focus

Recent Projects

Analysis of non-profit models of cannabis regulation
New insights into the medical use of cannabis
Evaluating the closed coffeeshop chain cannabis experiment in the Netherlands
Preventative approaches to organised crime in the Netherlands
Examining corruption at two of Europe's gateways

Selected Publications

Pardal, M. (Ed.), The Cannabis Social Club, Routledge, 2022

Pardal, Mafalda, Beau Kilmer, Sara d'Auria, Tamara Strabel, Silvia Galimberti, Stijn Hoorens, Tom Decorte, and Ben Senator, Alternatives to profit-maximising commercial models of cannabis supply for non-medical use, RAND Corporation (RR-A2190-1), 2023

Pardal, M., Colman, C., Surmont, T., "Synthetic drug production in Belgium - environmental harms as collateral damage?" Journal of Illicit Economies and Development, 2021

Mennes, Ralph, Stijn Hoorens, Margriet van Laar, Karin Monshouwer, Marleen Olthof, Pieter Oomen, Mafalda Pardal, Sander Rigter, Ruud Roodbeen, Irene Schoonbeek, and Ben Senator, Onderzoek Experiment Gesloten Coffeeshopketen: Rapportage voormeting 2021: [Study in support of the Controlled Cannabis Supply Chain Experiment: Pre-measurement report 2021], RAND Corporation (RR-A2735-1), 2023

Pardal, Mafalda, Lana Eekelschot, Stijn Hoorens, and Emma Louise Blondes, Inzichten in de effectiviteit van preventieve instrumenten in de strijd tegen georganiseerde criminaliteit: [Insights into the effectiveness of preventive instruments tackling organised crime], RAND Corporation (RR-A2303-1), 2023

Pardal, M., Decorte, T., Bone, M., Parés, Ò., Johansson, J., "Mapping Cannabis Social Clubs in Europe," European Journal of Criminology, 2020

Bawin, F., Emplit, K., Tieberghien, J., Vandenbogaerde, E., Pardal, M., Guillain, C., Decorte, T. , Young adults using prescription drugs nonmedically, Gompel & Svacina, 2021

Languages

Portuguese; Spanish; Dutch

Recent Media Appearances

Interviews: Die Zeit; De Tijd

Commentary

Drug Markets and Supply

Cannabis Legalization in Europe: Planning Ahead
Since 2012, multiple jurisdictions have changed their laws to legalize the production, possession, and use of cannabis for nonmedical purposes. While most of these changes took place in the Americas, there are signs that the European legal landscape might be changing, too.
Nov 9, 2022
The RAND Blog
Cannabis

Are We Entering a New Era of Cannabis Regulation?
Although international drug treaties prohibit the production, distribution, and possession of cannabis for non-medical and non-scientific purposes, several jurisdictions have implemented new laws and policies, including some that remove criminal penalties for possession of small doses of cannabis.
May 22, 2014
The BMJ

Publications

Report
Alternatives to profit-maximising commercial models of cannabis supply for non-medical use
This study identifies and analyses alternative profit-maximising commercial models of cannabis supply for non-medical use, providing an overview of the regulatory frameworks for such models and evidence on the consequences of their implementation.
Nov 1, 2023
Report
Onderzoek Experiment Gesloten Coffeeshopketen: Rapportage voormeting 2021: [Study in support of the Controlled Cannabis Supply Chain Experiment: Pre-measurement report 2021]
The document reports on cannabis consumption, the sale of cannabis from tolerated dispensaries (coffeeshops) and the illegal sale of hash and weed in the Netherlands prior to the introduction of an experiment with a legal cannabis supply chain.
May 31, 2023
Report
Inzichten in de effectiviteit van preventieve instrumenten in de strijd tegen georganiseerde criminaliteit: [Insights into the effectiveness of preventive instruments tackling organised crime]
This study responds to a call from the Dutch Research and Documentation Centre to gather insights into the effectiveness of preventative instruments in the field of organised crime, drawing on a review of the literature and expert interviews.
Jan 31, 2023
Report
Green jobs and skills development for disadvantaged groups
This report explored green jobs and skills development for people from disadvantaged groups in 10 European cities.
Oct 26, 2022
Report
Advocacy efforts in Brazil to extend the recognition of children's rights in early childhood: A case study
Case study on the advocacy efforts of the National Network of Early Childhood (RNPI) in collaboration with governmental institutions to introduce a Legal Framework for Early Childhood Development in Brazil.
Jun 22, 2021
Journal Article
Modeling the Structure and Operation of Drug Supply Chains: The Case of Cocaine and Heroin in Italy and Slovenia
This study of cocaine and heroin distribution networks in Italy and Slovenia explores a new approach to modeling such networks and identifying different market levels, defined by the quantity and frequency of sales and ranging from international brokers to wholesale distributors to retail dealers.
Jun 2, 2016
Journal Article
Strategies for a Risky Business: How Drug Dealers Manage Customers, Suppliers and Competitors in Italy, Slovenia and Germany
A growing body of literature aims to improve understanding of the operations of drug trafficking markets through conducting interviews with dealers and traffickers.
May 19, 2016
Report
Using Multi Agency Public Protection Arrangements to manage and supervise terrorist offenders: Findings from an exploratory study
The research aimed to identify priorities for further attention by policymakers and researchers looking at the effectiveness of post-release supervision of terrorist offenders under Multi-Agency Public Protection Arrangements (MAPPA).
Mar 4, 2016
Report
Antimicrobial stewardship: The effectiveness of educational interventions to change risk-related behaviours in the general population: A systematic review
A systematic review of the evidence of effectiveness and cost-effectiveness on changing the public's risk related behaviour pertaining to antimicrobial use to inform a NICE public health guideline aimed at delaying antimicrobial resistance.
Sep 30, 2015
Report
Mapping Diasporas in the European Union and United States: Comparative analysis and recommendations for engagement
The EC commissioned RAND Europe and IZA to conduct a study mapping diasporas in the EU and the US. The study provided an overview of diasporas present in Europe and the US, and delivered concrete recommendations for engaging with diasporas.
Dec 29, 2014
Report
Mapping Diasporas in the European Union and United States: Comparative analysis and recommendations for engagement: summary report
This summary provides an overview of diasporas present in Europe and the US, and delivers concrete recommendations for engaging with diasporas.
Dec 29, 2014
Infographic
How Have Levels of Intolerance Changed in Western Europe?
This infographic presents a visualisation of the main findings of our study on intolerance in Western Europe.
Jul 8, 2014
Report
Intolerance in Western Europe: Analysis of trends and associated factors
This study, commissioned by the Open Society Foundations, aimed to situate the widely-shared perception of rising intolerance in Western Europe in the context of empirical evidence on high-level trends in intolerant attitudes in Western Europe.
Jan 27, 2014
Report
Intolerance in Western Europe: Analysis of trends and associated factors: Summary report
This study, commissioned by the Open Society Foundations, aimed to situate the widely-shared perception of rising intolerance in Western Europe in the context of empirical evidence on high-level trends in intolerant attitudes in Western Europe.
Jan 27, 2014
Journal Article
Dealing with Cocaine and Heroin in Italy: Business Strategies and Operations
This study provides useful insights into understanding how the cocaine and heroin market works in Italy, and the role that some dealers play within it.
2014
Report
Multinational overview of cannabis production regimes
This study provides a multinational overview of cannabis production regimes, with a special focus on identifying and describing official statements and/or legal decisions made about production regimes for non-medical and non-scientific purposes.
Dec 23, 2013
Report
Development of a framework to estimate the cost of opioid dependence
This report sets out the findings of a targeted review of the harms of opioid dependence, and an assessment of existing estimates of the its costs. A proposed framework for developing estimates of the costs of opioid dependence is outlined.
Nov 5, 2013
Journal Article
'Polymorphous Criminal Networks': Considering Criminal Groups' Engagement Across Markets
At a time when drug policy and law enforcement regimes for tackling illicit markets are in a state of flux, it is important to understand how changes in the treatment of one type of illicit activity or substance may impact others.
2013
Journal Article
Drugs and Alcohol PBR Pilot Evaluation: Scoping and Feasibility Report
The purpose of the PbR Pilots is to develop and test out new approaches to the commissioning and delivery of drugs and alcohol recovery systems that reward achievement of this outcome.
Nov 1, 2012