Essex Human Rights Centre

19/08/2025

We're also proud to announce our second global finalist, Law and Human Rights graduate, Ifigenia Bakellas.

Ifigenia is a global finalist in the social action category for co-founding Genesis Hellas, supporting vulnerable communities in Greece.

Congratulations, we're so proud of you!🎉

https://www.essex.ac.uk/news/2025/08/19/ifigenia-named-study-uk-alumni-awards-global-finalist-for-helping-homeless

19/08/2025

We're proud to announce Human Rights and Cultural Diversity graduate, Luisa Fernanda Bacca, is a global finalist in the science and sustainability category of the Study UK - British Council Alumni Awards.

Luisa was a Chevening scholar and has gone on to be a powerful advocate for Indigenous and territorial rights.

Congratulations, we're so proud of you!🎉

https://www.essex.ac.uk/news/2025/08/12/climate-action-champion-is-global-finalist-in-study-uk-alumni-awards

19/08/2025

🌍 World Humanitarian Day is a powerful reminder of the courage, compassion, and commitment it takes to stand up for human dignity.

If your dream job is to promote human rights and humanitarian law, we’re here to help you make it a reality.

Whether you want to be an advocate, policy-maker, conflict resolution expert, scholar, or international lawyer, your journey starts here.

🎓 Explore our specialist programmes:
🔹 MA Theory & Practice of Human Rights
👉 https://www.essex.ac.uk/courses/pg00833/1/ma-theory-and-practice-of-human-rights

🔹 LLM Options in:
• Human Rights Law
• International Humanitarian Law
• Economic, Social & Cultural Rights
• International Criminal Law
• International Human Rights & Economic Law
👉 https://www.essex.ac.uk/subjects/law

Applications are open now for October 2025 entry. Come join us and be part of the change.

18/08/2025

From Monday 4 August to Friday 8 August 2025, we hosted our International Law in Armed Conflict short course with great success!

The interactive programme explored key topics including the legal frameworks governing International and Non-International Armed Conflicts, targeting and the conduct of hostilities, refugees and displaced persons, and International Criminal Law, providing many thought-provoking discussions.

There were also plenty of opportunities for networking throughout the week, which was much enjoyed by participants and the teaching team alike.

If you were unable to attend this year but would like to be notified about future dates, please complete our Expression of Interest form.

Expression of Interest: https://essex.eu.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_780HzcF5xlGFlDE
More information: https://www.essex.ac.uk/short-courses/international-law-in-armed-conflict

07/08/2025

There’s still time to join the Human Rights Leadership Lab!
This practical online course is tailored for human rights professionals and defenders stepping into leadership roles. Over four weeks, you'll complete six interactive modules designed to help you lead with confidence, clarity, and values-based impact.

See what our past participants had to say and discover how the Lab can elevate your leadership journey.

📍 Delivered online | 🕓 4 weeks/ 6 modules | 🧰 Real-world tools & skills

More info: https://www.essex.ac.uk/short-courses/human-rights-leadership-lab

06/08/2025

📝 New blog post alert! Another fantastic project from the University of Essex Human Rights Clinic has just shared its findings!

We’re delighted to have partnered with WIEGO – Women in Informal Employment: Globalising and Organising, the International Domestic Workers Federation, and the International Labour Organisation to support this important work.

📖 Read the full blog post here: https://hrcessex.wordpress.com/2025/08/05/domestic-workers-rights-in-the-caribbean-under-ilo-convention-189/

31/07/2025

🌍 New Post from the HRC Blog: Environmental Rights for a Just Energy Transition in Kenya

🎓 We’re incredibly proud of our University of Essex Human Rights Clinic students who contributed to this important work.

A heartfelt thank you to our partners at the Center for Justice Governance and Environmental Action for their collaboration, and to Stephen Turner for his expert supervision and guidance.

Read the full blog here:
🔗 https://hrcessex.wordpress.com/2025/07/29/environmental-rights-for-a-just-energy-transition-in-kenya

28/07/2025

🔍 New Blog Post from the HRC Blog: Sanctions Against a UN Special Rapporteur - What Does It Mean for Human Rights Advocacy?

📰 Read the full blog by Professor Carla Ferstman:

By Prof. Carla Ferstman, Director of the Essex Human Rights Centre As has been widely reported, on 9 July 2025, Francesca Albanese, the UN Special Rapporteur on the Situation of Human Rights in the…

14/07/2025

Tailored for activists and professionals, the Human Rights Leadership Lab is designed to empower leaders in the Human Rights sector.

Gain practical skills to:
♦️ Build emotional intelligence and leadership presence
♦️ Learn coaching techniques to motivate your team
♦️ Develop organisational strategies to prevent burnout

Led by Liz Griffin, a Human Rights professional with 25+ years’ experience!

Limited places are available, so apply now to avoid missing out!
👉 Apply now https://essex.eu.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_b3CHmn9e99nUK3Q
👉 More information https://www.essex.ac.uk/short-courses/human-rights-leadership-lab

02/07/2025

27/06/2025

📢 Applications close 18 July 2025!

Join us at the University of Essex Colchester Campus from 4 - 8 August 2025 for the highly regarded short course on International Law in Armed Conflict.

Presented by the Essex Human Rights Centre and the Essex Armed Conflict and Crisis Hub, this intensive course offers a practical foundation in understanding how international law operates in armed conflict settings.

🔍 Learn from leading practitioners in international human rights and humanitarian law.
⚖️ Explore how the law regulates the conduct of conflict parties, balances military necessity with humanitarian principles, and protects affected populations.
🌍 Gain real-world insights into the challenges faced by professionals working in conflict zones.

This course is ideal for:
✔️ Humanitarian and human rights practitioners
✔️ Government and international agency staff
✔️ Postgraduate students and academics

👉 Apply now: https://www.essex.ac.uk/short-courses/international-law-in-armed-conflict
📩 Questions? Contact: summerschoolsandshortcourses@essex.ac.uk

The Essex Human Rights Centre presents a four day practical development course, taught by leading practitioners in the field of international Human Rights and Armed Conflict. The International Law in Armed Conglict course will be held in person at our Colchester campus, over four days from Tuesday 3...

25/06/2025

📣 Applications now open!

The Human Rights Leadership Lab returns this October with 24 hours of live online training taught by Leadership Coach and Essex Human Rights Centre Fellow Liz Griffin.

Are you a Human Rights Professional looking to take your leadership in the social justice / human rights sector to the next level?
Do you want to develop your self-awareness, self-reflection, self-leadership and individual and collective wellbeing?
If so, this is the ideal course for you!

👉 Find out more and apply now: https://www.essex.ac.uk/short-courses/human-rights-leadership-lab