Human Rights Lab Seeks New Projects

Deadline extended for submitting proposals for faculty-student-practitioner partnerships

Lead human rights faculty at the University of Minnesota - Twin Cities, announce a Call for Proposals for participation in the 2019-20 Minnesota Human Rights Lab. All UMN faculty are invited to apply for a slot in the Lab, an opportunity that provides financial support for a graduate/professional student to conduct research in collaboration with a partner in the field in summer 2020. Faculty from disciplines that have not historically been involved in the Lab are particularly encouraged to submit proposals. The deadline for submitting has been extended to Monday, October 28, 2019.

The Human Rights Lab is a core component of "The Minnesota Model: Building Interdisciplinary Capacity to Defend Human Rights in Challenging Times," a Grand Challenges Phase 3 Research Initiative project. The Minnesota Model supports 14 diverse interdisciplinary faculty-student-practitioner partnerships that identify critical challenges to human rights and propose timely solutions. Administered jointly by the Human Rights Center in the Law School and the Human Rights Program in the College of Liberal Arts, the Minnesota Model is composed of three types of research projects:

  • Six strategic research partnerships between academic researchers and practitioner organizations, producing impactful scholarly and policy outcomes.
  • Six new faculty-led projects in the Human Rights Lab, a venue for interdisciplinary human rights research and discussions, which will serve as the core for the Model. These six specific projects give priority to faculty and graduate students from units not previously involved in the human rights collaboration.
  • Two NGO-led projects in the Human Rights Lab, reframing research engagement by inviting partner organizations to initiate projects.

Through the Minnesota Model, human rights practice and scholarship inform and inspire each other, facilitating cutting-edge research and effective human rights outcomes. The Human Rights Lab provides a venue for interdisciplinary discussions about pressing human rights issues and the research approaches best suited to understanding these issues.

Benefits of the Lab include:

  • a slot in the 2020 Lab Calendar for a closed, 3-hour, interdisciplinary workshop session to receive input from diverse experts regarding the human rights problem, research methodology, and practical, application;
  • funding for a stipend (up to $6,500) for a graduate/professional student to spend summer 2020 doing field research or other relevant activities with a partner organization;
  • funding for the student's travel related to the field work (up to $1,000);
  • funding for yourself or partners to travel for objectives related to the project (optional, up to $1,000); and
  • dissemination of your work through Lab platforms.

Be part of this exciting initiative that brings world-leading faculty and exceptional students in partnership with institutions, civil society and human rights defenders. Join in building on strengths of the University of Minnesota as a global leader in innovative education, path breaking research, and incisive policy solutions.

Review the Call for Proposals and prepare your proposal for submission by the deadline of October 28, 2019. Direct questions about the Lab and submission process to Rochelle Hammer (hamm0229@umn.edu, 612-626-7947). 

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To learn more about The Minnesota Model view the February 2019 press release announcing the Grand Challenges Research Initiative Phase 3 Award, or reach out to one of the faculty leads noted below.

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