Student Research Assistance
We actively encourage students to get involved with our research, knowledge transfer, training and capacity building activities through carefully designed Student Research Assistance (SRA) positions. Such roles provide our students with vital experience and exposure to the research and organisation of world-class projects and high profile events, where they work closely with our experts and research staff.
SRA positions typically run for the academic year although ad hoc or short-term positions are also available. Positions are advertised in advance of the academic year on the Current Opportunities page while the application process is competitive. Presentations on the SRA opportunities are made during the induction week of the LL.M calendar and are advertised on the Human Rights Law Centre and School of Law homepages. Following satisfactory completion of the SRA activities, students receive a certificate of completion.
Regular Student Research Assistant Topics
While SRA positions can vary each year, according to the Centre’s project activities and priorities, there are four regular activities where SRA’s are recruited:
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Publications: Human Rights Law Review, Yearbook of the European Convention for the Prevention of Torture and Inhumane or Degrading Treatment or Punishment, International Human Rights Reports – SRA’s gain strong publishing and editorial skills, including reviewing and proofreading submissions for accuracy of academic content and cross-references and ensuring compliance with the publishing style guide.
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Event, Conference and Course Support – SRA’s are able to gain practical experience in the organisation and programme design of capacity building programmes, international conferences and events, and interact directly with our experts and guests. This has included meeting the Iraqi Minister of Human Rights, Mrs Wijdan Mikha'il Salim; award-winning BBC Newsnight journalist Peter Snow; UN Special Representative for Human Rights Defenders, Hina Jilani and former Chief of Legal Advisory Section at the ICC Office of the Prosecutor, Morten Bergsmo.
Examples of Ad Hoc Research Opportunities
Occasionally, the Human Rights Law Centre is able to invite suitably qualified research students to complete an adhoc commission. Recent examples include:
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Human Rights Diplomacy Expert Workshop Report (2009) – PhD researcher Amrei Mueller took part in this high profile, invite-only Expert Workshop at the European Inter-University Centre in Venice, preparing the
Workshop Report.
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‘The Professional Identity of the Human Rights Field Officer' - Editorial Assistance (2009) – PhD researcher and former UNAMA Human Rights Officer, Daria Davitti provided editorial assistance in the production of the second volume of this series.
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Annotation of the Yogyakarta Principles (2007) – LL.M graduate Gwyneth Williams completed the annotations of the Yogyakarta Principles in partnership with ARC International.
Research Assistant Profile
Derek Inman (NILD, 2008)
"Beginning in October 2008, I was lucky enough to be a Student Research Assistant with the HRLC's International Criminal Justice (ICJ) Unit. Not only did I gain invaluable practical experience in the emerging field of international criminal law but the warm and friendly welcome given by the staff of the ICJ Unit and HRLC truly made me feel as though I was part of the team and that my work would be appreciated. My primary tasks revolved around research for, and the maintenance of, the National Implementation Legislation Database, so the work was topical, current, and challenging. Knowing that I was making a contribution to the expanding reach of international criminal justice definitely gave me a sense of personal fulfilment."
Student Meets Iraqi Minister of Human Rights
Student Helpers at HRLC Training
Daria Daviti, PhD Candidate, speaks at Student Human Rights Conference
Other Student Opportunities
Student Assistants' Details
For a list of our current and previous student research assistants, please click here.
Human Rights Law Centre Lunchtime Briefings
Each month the Human Rights Law Centre hosts a lunchtime briefing by one of the University of Nottingham School of Law PhD candidates on human rights related aspects of their research. Occasionally, external experts are invited to deliver a presentation on specific topics of interest for the research community. The briefings are open to all PhD law students and provide an opportunity to discuss and analyse current debates, as well as recent developments and case law in international human rights law.
Briefings in 2010 – 2011
African Intra-State Peace Agreements and Self-Determination: Mapping the Relationship by Kelly Stathopoulou (forthcoming on 28/03/2011).
Human Rights in Chechnya and the North Caucasus by Dennis Krivosheev, Researcher Russian Federation, Amnesty International (forthcoming on 07/02/2011).
‘Fragmentation or Unity’ of International Law Revisited: Analysing the European Convention on Human Rights when the European Court Takes Cognizance of Public International Law Norms by Adamantia Rachovitsa (17/01/2011).
Pandemic Influenza - An Actor Network Theory Analysis of Public Health Law in England by Gearóid Ó Cuinn, Wellcome Trust PhD Candidate (29/11/2010).
Norm Conflicts, International Humanitarian Law and Human Rights Law, by Marko Milanovic (29/10/2010).