The Pozen Center's Global Human Rights Lab places qualified undergraduates on research teams at the University of Chicago Law School's Global Human Rights Clinic. These teams contribute to major ongoing research projects, gathering data on human rights violations for use by the United Nations and other global partners.
In addition to acquiring professional skills, student participants are encouraged to think not just about what the human rights field is, but also about what it could and should be.
Current Projects
Click below for project details and application links. These are non-credit positions for 3rd- and 4th-year UChicago students; they generally require a commitment of 8-10 hours per week. Interested students are encouraged to attend a Zoom information session on October 4 at 12:30 p.m. CT. Applications are due Sunday, Oct 13 by 11:59 p.m. CT.
Supporting the UN Rapporteur on Extrajudicial, Summary, or Arbitrary Executions
(Applications for this position are open to 3rd- and 4th-year students and are due Sunday, October 13 by 11:59 p.m. CST)
This project provides academic support to the work of Morris Tidball-Binz, the United Nations Special Rapporteur on Extrajudicial, Summary, or Arbitrary Executions, who is currently based at UChicago as part of a collaboration between the Pozen Center and the Law School. This Rapporteurship is one of the most important human rights roles at the UN and is responsible for acting as a safeguard and enforcement mechanism against states that violate the right to life.
Students will spend 8 to 10 hours a week conducting research on thematic areas of relevance to the mandate of the UN Special Rapporteur. They may also contribute to Global Human Rights Clinic fact-finding and advocacy in similar areas, in partnership with civil society organizations from around the world.
Student responsibilities will include:
- Helping to compile and analyze relevant laws, procedures, and practices from around the world.
- Conducting interviews with experts, civil society members, and impacted communities, as necessary.
- Drafting advocacy reports based upon research conducted, for publication by the Global Human Rights Clinic.
- Regularly briefing the Special Rapporteur.
Documenting Civilian Casualties in Armed Conflict
(Applications for this position are open to 3rd- and 4th-year students and are due Sunday, October 13 by 11:59 p.m. CST)
Students will work with the University of Chicago Law School’s Global Human Rights Clinic and partners working on documenting civilian casualties to carry out research and support advocacy before United Nations human rights mechanisms. In so many instances – ranging from U.S. drone strikes around the world to conflicts in Palestine, Sudan, or the Congo – casualty counts are inaccurate, disputed, or simply not collected, rendering the families of these victims invisible and unable to seek accountability.
The Global Human Rights Clinic supports NGO partners who seek to remedy this. We provide technical support to organizations and individuals who document casualties in conflict and conduct advocacy to ensure that each life taken in conflict is accurately accounted for. Students will work on a range of conflicts around the world, closely collaborating with NGO partners in each country.
Student responsibilities will include:
- Identifying and researching avenues of UN advocacy.
- Conducting interviews with people who work on counting casualties.
- Researching and drafting submission to UN bodies.