Why the Human Rights Program?

Illustration of human rights protest

The Human Rights Program, based in the Institute for Global Studies, is a hub of interdisciplinary research, teaching, and outreach in the field of human rights. The Human Rights Program has a threefold mission:

  • Advance human rights scholarship through support for research and publications
  • Educate the next generation of human rights scholars and professionals
  • Engage with serious human rights issues through timely and meaningful projects, public programs, and internships

International human rights is, by its very nature, an interdisciplinary subject, engaging many fields of academic study including the humanities, law, social sciences, public policy, business, education, and public health. The program therefore encourages faculty and students from all disciplines to contribute to understanding the causes and consequences of human rights violations and to use their abundant skills and curiosity to undertake research, analysis, and strategic advocacy to defend the fundamental human rights of all persons.