News

Tuesday, January 16, 2024

The Institute for the Study of Human Rights mourns the death on January 7, 2024, of J. Paul Martin who, with Professor of Law and University Professor Louis Henkin, created the Center for the Study of Human Rights (CSHR) at Columbia University in 1978. Along with colleagues Arthur Danto and Mitchell Ginsberg, Paul and Lou pioneered the study of human rights as an interdisciplinary field that not only involved multiple forms of practice—from law to public health, journalism to advocacy—but also engaged directly with the humanities and the social sciences.

Monday, January 15, 2024

Mary Olson, who graduated from Columbia College’s B.A. in Human Rights in 2021, was recently selected to be a 2024 Marshall Scholar. Read more about her time as a student and her plans for the future.

Thursday, December 14, 2023

Professor Bruce Cronin presented his new book “Purging the Odious Scourge of Atrocities: The Limits of Consent in International Law” at an event at City College on Wednesday, November 29. The event had commentary by Ruti Teitel (New York Law School) and Dirk Moses (City College of New York).

Tuesday, December 12, 2023

ISHR is pleased to announce the 2024 Human Rights Essay Contest. The contest aims 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. Contest winners, along with other selected participants, may be invited to present their essay at an ISHR event.

Call for applications
Tuesday, November 28, 2023

The Institute for the Study of Human Rights (ISHR) is inviting students to apply for the Human Rights Research Award.