Essex Human Rights Centre

03/08/2026

Human Rights Leadership Lab – Early Bird Discounts Available!
3, 4 10, 17, 24 November & 1 December

Delivered by Liz Griffin in an online interactive format, this short course is designed for emerging and established Human Rights professionals who want to strengthen their leadership.

Through this course, participants will:
✔️ Put human rights values-based leadership into practice in daily work
✔️ Develop leadership presence, adaptability, and core competencies
✔️ Enhance emotional intelligence through self-awareness and reflection
✔️ Empower and support others using a coaching approach
✔️ Build healthier, more resilient teams and organisational cultures
✔️ Learn strategies to prevent and respond to stress, burnout and vicarious trauma

👉 Find out more and apply: https://www.essex.ac.uk/short-courses/human-rights-leadership-lab
📅 Apply before 31/08/2026 to secure an early bird discount!

The Essex Human Rights Centre presents a live online course for Human Rights Leaders. This is a practical professional development course, comprising six four-hour modules.

29/06/2026

🎓 International Law in Armed Conflict Short Course
📍 University of Essex, Colchester Campus
📅 3–7 August 2026 (in person)
⏰ Apply by 17 July

In today’s changing global landscape, understanding how international law applies during armed conflict is more important than ever.

This short course offers a valuable opportunity to explore how law regulates armed conflict, balances military necessity with humanitarian concerns, and protects affected populations.

What to expect:
✔ Learn from leading experts in international law
✔ Explore real-world case studies and current global challenges
✔ Study key topics including:

Targeting and conduct of hostilities
Protection of civilians
Intelligence in armed conflict
Refugees and displaced persons
Humanitarian aid and international criminal law

🍽 Includes a welcome dinner and a keynote lecture by Professor Noam Lubell on armed conflict and new technologies.
👉 Find out more and apply: https://www.essex.ac.uk/short-courses/international-law-in-armed-conflict
📧 Questions? Email: [email protected]
Please share with anyone who might be interested!

The Essex Human Rights Centre presents a four day practical development course, taught by leading practitioners in the field of international Human Rights and Armed Conflict. The International Law in Armed Conglict course will be held in person at our Colchester campus, over four days from Tuesday 3...

03/06/2026

Brilliant day yesterday gathering our current Clinic students, alumni, and partner organisations to showcase the projects being carried out at Essex Human Rights Centre Clinic.

We are so proud of our students for the impact they’ve made and continue to make in areas of human rights ranging from arbitrary detention to indigenous rights.

28/05/2026

Join the University of Essex Human Rights Centre for our 2026 Human Rights Summer School — an interactive online programme designed for professionals and postgraduate students looking to build real-world knowledge.

✨ Learn from leading experts
✨ Explore AI governance, environmental rights & justice
✨ Connect with a global network of changemakers

🚨 Don’t miss the early bird discount (ends 5 June!)

🔗 Apply now: https://www.essex.ac.uk/short-courses/human-rights-summer-school

13/05/2026

11/05/2026

Applications now Open!

The Essex Human Rights Centre and the Essex Armed Conflict and Crisis Hub are pleased to present their highly successful practical development course for professionals, postgraduate students, and practitioners working across humanitarian, human rights, government, and international sectors.

Dates: 3 – 7 August 2026
Format: In person at University of Essex, Colchester Campus
Certificate: Issued by the Essex Human Rights Centre

Delivered by leading practitioners in international human rights and armed conflict, this intensive programme explores how international law regulates armed conflict, balances military necessity and humanity, and protects affected populations.

Topics include:
 Introduction to the course: Overview of legal frameworks and bodies
 Classification of conflicts (international and non-international conflicts)
 Targeting and conduct of hostilities
 Protection of civilians
 Detention
 Implementation and national investigations
 Interplay of IHL/IHRL
 The use of intelligence in armed conflicts
 Refugees, displaced persons, humanitarian aid
 International criminal law
 Case study: Assassinations

The course also includes a welcome dinner and keynote lecture on armed conflict and new technologies.

Applications are now open — explore the programme and book your place:

The Essex Human Rights Centre presents a four day practical development course, taught by leading practitioners in the field of international Human Rights and Armed Conflict. The International Law in Armed Conglict course will be held in person at our Colchester campus, over four days from Tuesday 3...

16/04/2026

Essex research has helped to shape a new UN report that highlights how decriminalising drugs could help reduce HIV transmission and improve public health worldwide.

The guidance, informed by Essex Human Rights Centre's Julie Hannah, shows how punitive laws can increase harm, while offering a practical roadmap for governments to take action.

08/04/2026

The University of Essex School of Law and Human Rights Centre invite you to a one hour session exploring how international law is used to hold states accountable, with a focus on arbitrary detention, ecocide, and housing and social rights in Latin America. The discussion brings together UN human rig...

02/04/2026

01/04/2026

International Law in Armed Conflict – Applications now open!
The Essex Human Rights Centre, in partnership with the Essex Armed Conflict and Crisis Hub, is now accepting applications for an intensive short course on International Law in Armed Conflict.
This in‑person programme is designed for professionals, postgraduate students and practitioners working across humanitarian, human rights, government and international sectors.

Course details
📅 3–7 August 2026
📍 In person, University of Essex, Colchester Campus
🎓 Certificate issued by the Essex Human Rights Centre

The course is taught by leading practitioners in international human rights and armed conflict law. Participants will:

♦️ learn the core legal principles and frameworks regulating armed conflict
♦️ explore the practical challenges of implementing these rules
♦️ understand the law governing the conduct of hostilities, including distinction, proportionality and the use of weapons
♦️ gain insight into protections for detainees, civilians in occupied territory and other affected populations

♦️ Examine legal frameworks protecting refugees and internally displaced persons
♦️ understand accountability mechanisms at national and international levels
♦️ consider emerging and future challenges, including cyber operations and artificial intelligence

Why join?
This course offers a unique opportunity to learn directly from experienced practitioners while building practical knowledge relevant to today’s complex conflict environments.

👉 Explore the course and book your place:

The Essex Human Rights Centre presents a four day practical development course, taught by leading practitioners in the field of international Human Rights and Armed Conflict. The International Law in Armed Conglict course will be held in person at our Colchester campus, over four days from Tuesday 3...