About Us
The Human Rights Consortium hosted by the School of Advanced Study was established to facilitate and promote research in human rights in the UK and internationally by:
- organising and supporting academic, policy and practice-oriented events on human rights
- disseminating research on human rights
- fostering national and international networks of human rights academics
- hosting visiting fellows working in human rights
- contributing to the training of research students working on human rights
- enhancing the teaching and learning environment for graduate students
- raising funds in support of human rights research and research support
1. Events
The Human Rights Consortium is committed to organising and supporting academic, policy and practice-oriented events on human rights. Collaborations with other institutions are particularly welcome. The Consortium also aims to disseminate the work arising from events to a broader audience (see ‘dissemination’ below).
Funding or other support for human rights research and policy-related events may be sought from the Human Rights Consortium from individuals or institutions wishing to organise an event on a topic relating to human rights (broadly defined).
A Calendar of Events is available on the Human Rights Consortium website to publicise events that will be of interest to the human rights community. Contributions to the list will be sought from among members of the Consortium’s networks.
The Consortium is also responsible for overseeing the events organised for the Mellon Foundation-funded Sawyer seminar series on Fratricide and Fraternité by the Principal Organiser, Postdoctoral Fellow and Graduate Fellows appointed to the project.
See also the policy regarding the support available for events.
2. Dissemination
The Consortium seeks to publish high-impact academic work, through commercial publishers, online (including podcasts) and other means as appropriate.
The Consortium aims to disseminate work arising from events, particularly conferences and workshops. To that end, publishers will be invited to conferences to establish their interest in edited collections, and journal editors will also be approached to offer special issues. Work in progress and lecture papers will be published online through e-repositories such as SAS-Space.
The development of online resources such as databases of research materials will also be explored.
3. Networks
The Consortium will establish a network of academics, policy-makers and practitioners working on human rights in the UK and internationally in order to encourage inter-disciplinary collaboration in the field, as well as to contribute to the Consortium’s events and publications.
Individuals and institutions will be invited to become Associates of the Consortium. See the list of associates and their research interests.
4. Visitors
The Consortium offers Visiting Research Fellowships in human rights for visitors to the School of Advanced Study, and a call for applications will be made annually. Stipends of up to £2,000 are available, though non-stipendiary fellowships may also be offered.
Visiting fellows will be provided with shared office space and access to computing and printing, as well as library borrowing rights. Visitors are expected to participate fully in the academic life of the School, including giving a presentation at a seminar or conference during the course of their stay and contributing to the Consortium’s dissemination activity.
See more information about the terms for the award of visiting fellowships.
5. Research training
The Consortium will investigate the feasibility of offering multi-disciplinary research training in the area of Human Rights.
6. Enhancing the teaching and learning environment for graduate students
In recognition of the important role of graduate students of Human Rights as future researchers, policy-makers and practitioners in the field, the Consortium will seek to create a positive environment for Human Rights teachers and students.
7. Fundraising
The Consortium has funding from the School for three years from 2009-10, which will be used to support a Lecturer in Human Rights, who will be responsible for taking forward the work of the Consortium, as well as events, visitors and dissemination activities. However the amounts for these activities are modest, so it is intended that the Consortium will seek funds to develop its activities further, and to extend its work beyond the current funding period.
