MVHR Interdisciplinary Graduate Group

Mass Violence & Human Rights (MVHR) Interdisciplinary Graduate Group

The Mass Violence & Human Rights (MVHR) Interdisciplinary Graduate Group is a collaboration between the Center for Holocaust and Genocide Studies (CHGS) and the Human Rights Program (HRP). The group fosters interdisciplinary conversations on the subject areas of human rights, the Holocaust, genocide, and mass violence. Past projects have focused on peace and conflict studies, nationalism and ethnic violence, representations of violence and trauma, conflict resolution, transitional justice, historical consciousness, collective memory, and similar areas. MVHR provides a space for graduate students to support each other, engage in dialogue with faculty and invited scholars, strengthen professional competencies, and exchange feedback at various stages of the research process. The group is open to all graduate students at the University of Minnesota with an interest in human rights, mass violence, and related topics. 

MVHR will host monthly workshop sessions throughout the academic year. Learn more about the workshops below. 

Presenting at an MVHR workshop. Students are encouraged to present their research at a workshop session. Students who present at an MVHR workshop will have priority for MVHR Travel Funding. Apply to present via this form. You will be asked to include an overview of your research (500 words or less), including your desired feedback. Your research overview will be shared with the group prior to your presentation. The deadline to apply to present for the spring semester is Sunday, February 8 to present on Tuesday, March 3. 

MVHR Travel Funding. Graduate students in the College of Liberal Arts (CLA) who participate in the MVHR Interdisciplinary Graduate Group have the opportunity to apply for funding to support their presentation of research at academic conferences, fieldwork, or experiential learning opportunities. Learn more about MVHR Travel Funding. 

Please direct questions to [email protected]. 

Spring 2026 Workshop Schedule

Tuesday, February 3, 4:30PM: Graduate student networking & sharing your work with interdisciplinary audiences

Sunday, February 8: Deadline for application for spring presentations

Tuesday, March 3, 4:30PM: Graduate student research presentations

Sunday, March 15: Deadline to apply for spring MVHR travel funding

Tuesday, April 7, 4:30PM: Democratizing your research: Communicating findings to non-academic audiences 

Tuesday, May 5, 4:30PM: End of year celebration and summer program opportunities