Postgraduate Research (PhD)

The Human Rights Centre has been providing world class Masters level education in human rights for over two decades and has expanded to offer a PhD in Human Rights since October 2009. This new PhD was established to meet the demand of many prospective students who have an established interest in human rights and who wish to pursue doctoral research which goes beyond a single academic discipline and includes a distinct multi- and inter-disciplinary perspective upon human rights.

A list of current PhD students can be found on the Doctoral Affiliates Page.

Supervision

Supervision is potentially available across a broad range of academic interests in human rights. For an indication of the range of potential areas of doctoral supervision available please see the members of the HRC. For a specific advice on potential supervision, please contact the Director of Academic Studies, Dr Andrew Fagan – fagaaw@essex.ac.uk

Course of Study

The PhD in Human Rights includes a number of formal study requirements. Thus, students who have not previously studied human rights at Masters’ level will be required to attend the principal core module provided by the Human Rights Centre in order to develop a knowledge and understanding of multi- and inter-disciplinary perspectives upon the theory and application of human rights. In addition, students will be expected to participate in the fortnightly meetings of the HRC Doctoral Affiliates’ Network, which comprises research student presentations and career development workshops. Finally, students will have to demonstrate that they are progressing satisfactorily through their participation in regular progress meetings.

Research Environment

The HRC has an established research environment through the contributions of academic members of the HRC to HRC activities. These include annual lectures, a Speakers Series, occasional conferences, an Essex-based electronic Human Rights Journal and many other less formal events held throughout the year. The international reputation of the HRC enables us to attract some of the world’s leading academics and practitioners to address our community. We would expect all of our Ph.D. students to actively contribute to the research environment.

More information on research in the Centre can be found here.

Interviews with current PhD students on studying at the Human Rights Centre.

The Doctoral Affiliates Network

The HRC established the Doctoral Affiliates’ Network in October 2008 in order to create a formal academic forum for the inter- and multi-disciplinary study of human rights for doctoral students. The network currently comprises over thirty PhD students from several different academic departments and is organised by Dr Andrew Fagan, Director of Academic Studies. The network holds regular events throughout the academic year, which include academic presentations, film screenings, and advice on career development. All PhD students registered within the HRC will automatically enjoy membership of the Network.

Second Meeting of the Human Rights Ph.D Triangle - Monday 12 March 2012

Inaugural Meeting of the Human Rights Ph.D Triangle - Thursday 24 November 2011

Fees and Funding

Information on funding can be found here.

Information on fees can be found here.

Application

To apply you must submit an application form via https://www.essex.ac.uk/pgapply/ you should then submit two academic references, a copy of your transcript, English Language score (we require IELTS 7.0) and a research proposal of 4-6 pages.

For further information please contact:

Emma Revill, Human Rights Executive Officer
Human Rights Centre
University of Essex
Wivenhoe Park
Colchester
CO4 3SQ
United Kingdom

Tel: +44 (0)1206 872529
Fax: +44 (0)1206 873627
E-mail: hrep (non-Essex users add @essex.ac.uk
or
hrep (non-Essex users add @sx.ac.uk)