Global Human Rights Lab

This project provides academic support to the work of Morris Tidball-Binz, the United Nations Special Rapporteur on Summary, Arbitrary, or Extrajudicial Executions, who is currently based at UChicago as part of a collaboration between the Pozen Center and the Law School Global Human Rights Clinic. 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 on this project conduct research on key thematic areas of relevance to the mandate of the UN Special Rapporteur. The Global Human Rights Clinic also conducts human rights fact-finding and advocacy on similar areas, in partnership with civil society organizations from around the world.

Typically, international law is seen as being informed by the opinions of large, powerful, populous, or often formerly imperial powers. Yet "small" states, especially those facing the brunt of an issue, can and are playing a crucial role in the progressive development of international law. At the International Court of Justice, Small Island Nations are leading efforts to advance law, policy, and science to address climate change and advance climate adaptation strategies. Students in the Global Human Rights Lab are examining these efforts, working alongside scholars, practitioners, and activists to research and articulate key changes in the law, with a focus on Oceania but also looking at other contexts traditionally excluded in human rights research and analysis. This research will fill a key gap in ensuring that voices and perspectives traditionally excluded from international lawmaking are better represented, theorized, and analyzed. This research will contribute to litigation, human rights advocacy, and a casebook on human rights being developed by Professor Anjli Parrin.

The Global Human Righst Lab is seeking interns to start in the October, 2025. Applications are welcome from across UChicago, but preference will be given to third- and fourth-year undergraduates willing to make an 8-10 hour a week commitment.

Interns will work with Anjli Parrin, director of the Law School's Global Human Rights Clinic, and Morris Tidball-Binz, the UN Special Rapporteur on Extrajudicial, Summary, or Arbitrary Executions. Under their guidance and the supervision of Law School students, interns will contribute to major ongoing research projects, gather data on human rights violations for use by the United Nations and other global partners, and help present them to the world.

Depending on which current Global Human Rights Lab project the intern joins (see above), intern responsibilities can include:

• Helping to survey and analyze relevant laws, procedures, and practices from around the world related to the key thematic areas of concern;
• Conducting interviews with experts, civil society, and impacted communities;
• Drafting advocacy reports based upon research conducted, for publication by the United Nations Global Human Rights Council;
• Regularly briefing the Special Rapporteur;
• Regularly meeting with relevant experts.

If interested, apply online by May 11 at 11:59 p.m. CST. 

The Pozen Family Center for Human Rights at the University of Chicago invites applications for a Graduate Research Fellowship within the Global Human Rights Lab for the 2025-2026 academic year. This fellowship provides a unique opportunity for a passionate graduate student to contribute directly to impactful research projects that inform the work of the United Nations and other international actors in addressing human rights violations.

The fellow will be hired starting in the summer of 2025 for an initial period of three months, which may be extended if both parties are interested. 

The fellow will work with Anjli Parrin, the Global Human Rights Law Clinic Director, and Morris Tidball-Binz, the UN Special Rapporteur on Extrajudicial, Summary or Arbitrary Executions. Under their guidance, the fellow will contribute to major ongoing research projects, gather data on human rights violations for use by the United Nations and other global partners, and support the design of the Global Human Rights Lab space. 

The Graduate Research Fellow will play a vital role in the Lab's ongoing research projects. Responsibilities include:

• Contributing to ongoing research initiatives alongside University of Chicago faculty.
• Conducting research and data analysis on critical human rights issues.
• Mentoring a team of undergraduate student researchers supporting either the work of the UN Rapporteur or documenting civilian casualties in armed conflict.
• Disseminating research findings through reports, presentations, and other scholarly means (as appropriate).

Benefits

• Gain firsthand experience with the United Nations' human rights mechanisms and advocacy efforts.
• Develop expertise in human rights research, data analysis, and project management.
• Contribute to impactful research that shapes global responses to human rights violations.
• $22/hour, 7-10 hours per week

Qualifications

• Doctoral, Master's, or Law student in good standing at the University of Chicago.
• Strong academic record with a demonstrated commitment to human rights research.
• Excellent research and data analysis skills.
• Familiarity with UN human rights mechanisms.
   

Application

If interested, please use this form to submit the following

• Curriculum vitae
• Statement of interest
• Writing Sample

For more information, contact Anjli Parrin, aparrin@uchicago.edu.