Columbia University’s Institute for the Study of Human Rights is pleased to announce the 2018 Human Rights Essay Contest and Colloquium. The contest and colloquium aim to encourage and acknowledge students who have written exceptional academic papers that address issues related to human rights.
Cash prizes will be awarded to two graduate students and to two undergraduate students currently enrolled at Columbia University. Contest winners, along with other selected participants, are invited to present their papers during the human rights student colloquium.
Topic: Papers may be written in any discipline or be interdisciplinary. They may be critical analyses, theoretical examinations, or research papers, as long as they address issues, ideas, and questions relating to human rights.
Length: Approximately 5,000 words, though substantially shorter papers will also be considered.
Deadline for submission: Monday, January 29, 2018.
Submission Guidelines: See submission guidelines here. Only one submission is allowed per student. Students do not have to be enrolled in a human rights program to participate.
Prizes: Two $500 prizes will be awarded to graduate students and two $250 prizes will be awarded to undergraduates. Contest winners will be announced in late March or early April.
Review Procedures: All papers will be reviewed anonymously by Columbia University students and faculty on the basis of their originality, intellectual rigor, relevance and contribution to the field of human rights, and clarity of expression. A Student Review Committee will select finalists and a Faculty Review Committee will choose contest winners from among the finalists. Click here if you are interested in participating in the Student Review Committee. Preference will be given to applications received by Monday, January 12, 2018.
The Student Review Committee: Join the Essay Contest Student Review Committee! Committee members must be Columbia University students who have engaged in the study of human rights. Students do not need to be enrolled in a human rights program to serve on the committee. Papers are reviewed anonymously and committee members are eligible to submit papers for consideration. Preference will be given to applications received by January 12, 2018. Applications submitted after that date will be evaluated on a rolling basis, until spots are filled. Click here to learn more.
Questions: Email the ISHR Education Program at humanrightsed@columbia.edu.
