BA Hons (Manitoba), LLM (Essex)
Former Director of the Human Rights Centre

Before coming to Essex, John had a substantial professional experience at the OSCE and UN where he played leading roles in conflict resolution and prevention especially in countries of conflict and in societies struggling with the challenges of transition from authoritarianism to freedom. Notably, Prof. Packer spent nine years in the Office of the OSCE High Commissioner on National Minorities (as Director and as Senior Legal Advisor) and, previously, five years at the UN as a Human Rights Officer investigating serious violations of human rights in Iraq, Burma, and Afghanistan and against Judges, Lawyers and Assessors throughout the world. John also worked in Geneva for the ILO and UNHCR.

At Essex, John served as a Senior Adviser for the global Initiative on Conflict Prevention through Quiet Diplomacy and is a member of the Expert Advisory Panel on Dialogue, Diversity and Social Cohesion of the Club de Madrid. John has advised numerous governments, IGOs and sits on the boards of several NGOs. Research interests include minority rights, conflict prevention and resolution, diversity management, and prevention of genocide.