Dr Andrew Fagan
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Email
fagaaw@essex.ac.uk -
Telephone
+44 (0) 1206 872885
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Location
5S.6.4, Colchester Campus
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Academic support hours
Autumn Term: on Study Leave
Profile
Biography
I was born and raised in a single-parent family in an ungentrified part of London. I didn't complete my formal education and left school aged 14. After numerous twists and turns, I returned to education in my mid-20s. I have a daughter, Claudia and a grandson, Jesse. When not at Essex, I am mostly taking refuge in our home in rural France with my partner, Julia, and our Belgian Shepherd dog: Scout. I play tenor saxophone and enjoy obscure European cinema! I have been teaching human rights at Essex since 1998 in the Department of Philosophy, the School of Law and the Human Rights Centre. I have occupied several positions within the Human Rights Centre, including; Deputy Director, Research Director, Director of Academic Studies and I am currently Co-Director of Postgraduate Studies (Human Rights) within the School of Law. I have extensive multi-disciplinary teaching experience and interests, spanning the theory and practice of human rights. My research focuses upon the normative, political and cultural challenges to human rights. I am particularly interested in the contributions which radical philosophies and politics can make to defending human rights against multiple challenges. I have taught and lectured upon human rights across the world; including, Central Asia, East Asia, Europe, South East Asia and North and South America. Additional publications 'Are Human Rights Bad for Women?', Thomson Reuters (June 29th 2017)http://news.trust.org/item/20170628141011-i1gq3 'UK faces difficult questions over its human rights record in universal periodic review' (with Munira Ali) Human Rights Centre Blog (12 May 2017)https://hrcessex.wordpress.com/2017/05/09/1310/ 'Into a Bizarre Future: why the liberal promise of true liberty is a lie', The Conversation (January 23rd 2017) 'Resons to be Fearful: liberal democracy and scapegoating minorities', Fabian Review (November 15th 2016) 'The continuing fight against homophobia (co-authored with Alan Msosa), in The Conversation (May 17th 2016) 'Our global responsibility to end discrimination' (co-authored with Alan Msosa) in The Vice Chancellor's Blog, University of Essex (May 17th 2016) Clouds on the horizon for Burmas fledging democracy, in The Conversation (March 30 2016) 2015 the year in elections: Myanmar, in The Conversation, (January 1st 2016). Human Rights an essential weapon in our moral armoury against terrorism, Vice Chancellors Blog, University of Essex, December 10th 2015) 'The Rohingya, Genocide and a New Dawn for Myanmar?' E-International Relations (Dec. 6th 2015) What will an election victory for Aung San Suu Kyi's party mean for Myanmar? in The New Statesman (November 10th 2015). Burmas Ruling Party Has Turned on Itself but the opposition is falling apart too, in The Conversation (August 14th 2015). The Spectre of Identity Politics in Burma, in The Conversation (July 30th 2015) The Aftermath of Charleston: the Confederate Flag and a Right to Dixie? Essex Human Rights Centre Blog, (June 25th. 2015) Je Suis Charlie: Religion, Expression and Our Idols. Essex Human Rights Centre Blog (January 9th. 2015)
Qualifications
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BS.c. (Hons.) Social Anthropology and Psychology (University of London)
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MA Political Theory (University of Essex)
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Ph.D. Political Philosophy (University of Essex)
Research and professional activities
Current research
(Constructively) Critical perspectives upon human rights
Critical theory
Minority cultural rights
Identity politics and human rights
Religion and human rights
Gender and human rights
Hate speech and human rights
Conferences and presentations
The Challenge of Identity Politics to a Rights-Based Constitutional Future for Myanmar. University of Essex, Human Rights Centre, Speakers Series. 3rd November 2015.
Colchester, United Kingdom, 2015
Towards the Rehabilitation of Perfectionist Agency. American Political Science Association Annual Conference, San Francisco. 5th September 2015.
San Francisco, United States, 2015
The Rights of Domestically Abused Women and Rights to Culture. Center for Interdisciplinary Studies in the Humanities, State University of New York, Binghampton University. 5th February 2015.
Albany, United States, 2015
The Limits of Chandran Kukathass Theory of Diversity. Multiculturalism in Contemporary Britain Conference, University of California, Berkeley. 18th November 2014.
Berkeley, United States, 2014
Into the Belly of the Whale: Cultural Rights and Anti-perfectionist Liberalism. Departmental Visiting Speakers Series, Philosophy Department, University of Essex. 30th October 2014.
Colchester, United Kingdom, 2014
Teaching and supervision
Current teaching responsibilities
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Dangerous Ideas: Essays and Manifestos as Social Criticism Capstone (CS301)
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Human Rights, Social Justice and Social Change (HU928)
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Human Rights: Global Diversity and Global Challenges (HU930)
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Gender, Race, Identity and Human Rights (HU931)
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Human Rights Clinic (HU902)
Current supervision
Previous supervision
Degree subject: Human Rights
Degree type: Doctor of Philosophy
Awarded date: 21/12/2023
Degree subject: Human Rights
Degree type: Doctor of Philosophy
Awarded date: 14/5/2018
Degree subject: Human Rights
Degree type: Doctor of Philosophy
Awarded date: 9/2/2018
Degree subject: Human Rights
Degree type: Doctor of Philosophy
Awarded date: 8/4/2015
Publications
Journal articles (21)
Fagan, A., (2023). Taking Social Class Seriously. Human Rights Quarterly. 45 (2), 260-282
Fagan, A., (2021). Human Rights in a Time of Populism: Challenges and Responses. HUMAN RIGHTS QUARTERLY. 43 (2), 416-+
Fagan, A., (2019). The Gentrification of Human Rights. Human Rights Quarterly. 41 (2), 283-308
Fagan, A., (2018). The challenge of cultural diversity: the limited value of the right of exit. Critical Review of International Social and Political Philosophy. 21 (1), 87-108
Fagan, A., (2017). Cultural harm and engaging the limits of a right to cultural identity. Human Rights Quarterly. 39 (2), 319-340
Fagan, A. and Fridlund, H., (2016). Relative Universality, Harmful Cultural Practices and the United Nations' Human Rights Council. Nordic Journal of Human Rights. 34 (1), 21-39
Fagan, A., (2015). Defending corporate social responsibility: Myanmar and the lesser evil. The International Journal of Human Rights. 19 (6), 867-882
Fagan, A., (2010). Lambert Zuidervaart: Social Philosophy After Adorno. Human Studies. 33 (1), 109-115
(2009). How Autonomous Is Medical Decision Making?. AMA Journal of Ethics. 11 (8), 631-635
Fagan, A., (2008). Back to Basics: Human Rights and the Suffering Imperative. Essex Human Rights Review. 5 (1), 91-96
Fagan, A., (2007). Autonomy ? Ellen Frankel Paul, Fred D. Miller Jr and Jeffrey Paul. The Philosophical Quarterly. 57 (227), 311-313
Fagan, A., (2007). Review of Autonomy, (2003) Ellen Frankel Paul, Fred D. Miller Jr and Jeffrey Paul (eds), Cambridge University Press, isbn: 9780521534994. Philosophical Quarterly. 57 (227), 311-313
Fagan, A., (2006). Escaping the Cultural Context of Human Rights. Human Rights and Human Welfare. 6, 193-202
Fagan, A., (2006). Challenging the Right of Exit Remedy in the Political Theory of Cultural Diversity. Essays in Philosophy. 7 (1), 185-214
Fagan, A., (2005). Paradoxical Bedfellows: Nihilism and Human Rights. Human Rights Review. 6 (3), 80-101
Fagan, A., (2004). Challenging the Bioethical Application of the Autonomy Principle within Multicultural Societies. Journal of Applied Philosophy. 21 (1), 15-31
Fagan, A., (2003). Review of Yvonne Sherratt, 'Adorno?s Positive Dialectic'. Philosophy In Review. 23 (4), 286-288
Fagan, A., (2003). Review of Brian Orend, Human Rights. 'Human Rights: A Minimal Utopia?'. Philosophy In Review. 23 (2), 134-135
Fagan, A., (2003). Practicing Universality: the Inter-disciplinary Imperatives of Human Rights. Human Rights and Human Welfare. 3 (2), 95-102
Fagan, A., (2003). Review of William S. Wilkerson and Jeffrey Paris, eds., New Critical Theory: Essays on Liberation. Philosophy In Review. 23 (4), 301-303
Fagan, A., (2002). Between God and Democracy. Human Rights and Human Welfare. 2 (2), 15-22
Books (5)
Ferstman, C. and Fagan, A., (2020). Covid-19, Law and Human Rights : Essex Dialogues. A Project of the School of Law and Human Rights Centre. University of Essex. 978-1-5272-6632-2
Fagan, A., (2017). Human Rights and Cultural Diversity. Edinburgh University Press. 9781474401166
Fagan, A., (2010). The Atlas of Human Rights: Mapping Violations of Freedom Around the Globe. University of California Press. 9780520261235
Fagan, A., (2009). Human Rights: Confronting Myths and Misunderstandings. Edward Elgar. 978-1-84844-161-3
Dine, J. and Fagan, A., (2006). Human rights and capitalism: A Multidisciplinary perspective on globalisation. 1845422686. 9781845422684
Book chapters (11)
Fagan, A., (2020). The Politics of Identity in the UK: Before, During and After Covid-19. In: Covid-19, Law and Human Rights : Essex Dialogues. A Project of the School of Law and Human Rights Centre. Editors: Ferstman, C. and Fagan, A., . University of Essex. 149- 157. 978-1-5272-6632-2
Bald, C., Carter, L., Ferstman, C., Fagan, A., Gilbert, G. and Wyllie, A., (2020). The Impact on Vulnerable Populations. Vulnerability: A Discussion. In: Covid-19, Law and Human Rights : Essex Dialogues. A Project of the School of Law and Human Rights Centre. Editors: Ferstman, C. and Fagan, A., . University of Essex. 147- 148. 978-1-5272-6632-2
Cusato, E., Casla, K., Fagan, A., Jones, E. and Kamiloglu, O., (2020). Some Conceptual Framings: A Discussion. In: Covid-19, Law and Human Rights : Essex Dialogues. A Project of the School of Law and Human Rights Centre. Editors: Ferstman, C. and Fagan, A., . University of Essex. 3- 4. 978-1-5272-6632-2
Fagan, A., (2018). Minority Rights in Myanmar: Negotiating Identity Politics and Human Rights. In: The Noble Banner of Human Rights: Essays in Memory of Tom Lantos. Editors: Biro, A-M., Lantos-Swett, K. and Fischer, M., . Brill. 240- 275. 978-90-04-37695-3
Fagan, A., (2013). Rights, Natural and Human. In: Encyclopedia of Modern Political Thought. Editors: Claeys, G., . CQ Press. 9780872899100
Fagan, A., (2012). Ethical Shopping and Trusting Morality. In: The Processes and Practices of Fair Trade: Trust, Ethics and Governance. Editors: Granville, B. and Dine, J., . Routledge. 9780415575669
Fagan, A., (2012). Philosophical foundations of human rights. In: Handbook of Human Rights. 9- 22. 9780415480239
Fagan, A., (2011). Philosophical Foundations of Human Rights. In: Handbook of Human Rights. Editors: Cushman, T., . Routledge. 491- 491. 9780415480239
Fagan, A., (2006). Buying right: Consuming ethically and human rights. In: Human Rights and Capitalism: A Multidisciplinary Perspective on Globalisation. 115- 141. 1845422686. 9781845422684
Fagan, A., (2006). Human Rights. In: Essentials of Philosophy and Ethics. Editors: Cohen, M., . Routledge. 129- 131. 1509546057. 9781509546053
Fagan, A., (2003). Cultural Relativism, Tolerance and Respect for Autonomy. In: Ethical Issues in Anaesthesia and Intensive Care: Issues in Contemporary Practice. Editors: Scott, W. and Draper, H., . Butterworth-Heinemann. 65- 76
Other (5)
Fagan, A., Adorno (refereed encyclopaedia entry),The Internet Encyclopaedia of Philosophy
Fagan, A., Human Rights (refereed encyclopaedia entry),The Internet Encyclopedia of Philosophy
Fagan, A., (2015).What will an election victory for Aung San Suu Kyi's party mean for Myanmar?,The New Statesman
Fagan, A., (2015).The Rohingya, Genocide and a New Dawn for Myanmar,E-International Relations
Fagan, A., (2005).Adorno: an Introduction,Samkaaleen Soach (trans. Contemporary Thinking)
Grants and funding
2011
Human Rights Atlas
Economic & Social Research Council
Contact
Academic support hours:
Autumn Term: on Study Leave
