Working in the Human Rights Centre Clinic

The module-based projects are open to postgraduate students on the Human Rights Master’s programme (LLM/MA).

If you are selected to work on a module-based project then you will be automatically enrolled on the Human Rights Centre Clinic module. (This is also an optional module - course code: HU902).

When can I apply?

If you would like to join the module-based projects in 2023-24, applications are now open. Please submit your application by Monday 9 October at 9am to humanrightscentreclinic@essex.ac.uk. Please send your application documents in a single PDF file with the file name [SURNAME]_[First name]_HRCC application.

What to include in your application

The application should include two attachments:

1. your CV (two pages maximum)
2. a 400-word statement explaining why you want to join the Clinic and what you expect to learn from it. The statement should include your preferred three module-based projects in order of preference. We will do our best to accommodate your choices

Interviews

Interviews will take place via Zoom during the afternoons of 10th and 11th October 2023. You will be allocated a time slot for a short conversation with the HRC Clinic Director and the Deputy Director. We will communicate the decision on 13 October 2023.

Important information

• If you are taking part in any of the five module-based projects, you will also need to enrol in HU902 (Spring Term and two sessions in Autumn Term).
• Students are free to apply to module-based projects and to stand-alone projects at the same time, but note that the module-based projects will require approximately 8-10 hours of your time per week from late October to the end of June on top of the coursework for all other modules. We recommend you do not overstretch your commitments.

There are a limited number of places available on module-based projects. Accordingly, all students who wish to participate go through a selection process. If you are a postgraduate student and would like to participate in one of our module-based projects, you will be expected to submit your application first. Should you be successful, you will automatically be registered for the optional module HU902.

Our stand-alone project for 2023-24 is the 'Arbitrary Detention Redress Unit'. It is open to all undergraduate and postgraduate students at Essex.

How to apply?

If you want to join the ADRC in 2023-24, please submit your application by Monday 9 October 2023 at 5pm BST to ardu@essex.ac.uk, with the subject line "Re: Arbitrary Detention Redress Clinic".

The application should include three attachments:

1. your CV (two pages maximum), including reference to any foreign language abilities
2. a statement (between 200 and 300 words) explaining why you want to take part in the ADRC and what you expect to learn
3. a writing sample (max 5 pages - this can be an excerpt from a piece of university work or any other formal writing - it does not need to be written specifically for this project and can concern any topic or discipline. Additionally, it can be in English, French or Spanish).

Interviews

Interviews will take place via Zoom on 11 October 2023. You would be allocated a time slot for a short conversation with Dr. Matthew Gillett and Dr Sabina Garahan.

We will communicate the decision during the week of Monday 16 October 2023, and we expect to have the team in place late that week.

Important information

• When applying for this stand-alone project, you do not need to take HU902 (but if you still wish to take the module you're welcome to apply).
• You are free to apply to module-based projects and to the stand-alone arbitrary detention project at the same time, but note that this stand-alone project will require 4-6 hours of your time per week from late October to the end of June (and the module-based projects will require approximately 8-10 hours of your time per week from late October to the end of June) on top of the coursework for all other modules. We recommend you do not overstretch your commitments.