About the Program

The Human Rights Program (HRP) seeks to synergize existing resources in a way that creates a unique research platform for a wide range of scholars and students on campus while promoting a significant institutional innovation that will help to strengthen and sustain human rights as an important dimension of our international capabilities.

In 2013, the Global Legal Studies Center (GLS) received a Mellon Foundation Area and International Studies Research Award to establish this interdisciplinary, campus-wide human rights program. The proposal combined a new research agenda with an institutional initiative to deepen cross-regional and interdisciplinary research for faculty and educational opportunities for students at the university. The HRP was created as a cross-campus program, using the momentum created by the Human Rights Initiative and the administrative and coordinating capacity of the GLS. In order to touch on a variety of human rights issues, the program selects an annual focus.

The Human Rights Program is supported by the International Division and coordinated by the Global Legal Studies Center.

Annual Focus

Phase II

Phase II of the program focused on Migration and Human Rights.

Phase III

From 2018-2020, the HRP focused on the "future of human rights" with a sub-theme of climate change and human rights for the 2019-2020 academic year.

Phase IV

During Phase IV of the Human Rights Program, we will focus on the following areas:

• Climate Change and Human Rights, and
• Justice in Southeast Asia Lab (JSEALab).

People

Affiliated Scholars

View list of scholars affiliated with HRP »

Distinguished Lectures

These lectures are intended to contribute to the "internationalization" of the campus, celebrate the achievements of the selected lecturers, educate the university community about specific, important international issues, and partner with university and community groups dedicated to global education and international awareness. 

A sub-committee of the HRP comprising Alexandra Huneeus, Lori Diprete Brown, Lalita du Perron, Aili Tripp, Tyrell Haberkorn, Sara McKinnon and Sumudu Atapattu nominates names and coordinates the lectures.

• Mildred Fish Harnack Human Rights and Democracy Lecture
• J. Jobe and Marguerite Jacqmin Soffa lecture