The University of Melbourne Human Rights Forum was established in late 2005 to create a human rights focal point from which to foster interdisciplinary research and informed discussion on human rights issues, and engagement between the University and the broader community. The Forum is funded through the Vice-Chancellor's Strategic Incentives and Adjustments program, and received grants from this program in both 2005-06 and 2007.
The aims of the Forum are to:
- Create a human rights focal point in the University from which to foster engagement with the broader community;
- Promote interdisciplinary dialogue and approaches to human rights;
- Facilitate interdisciplinary research and teaching opportunities;
- Facilitate outreach/knowledge transfer to the broader community on current human rights issues;
- Enhance undergraduate student interest in human rights;
- Enhance the University’s global reputation in the area of human rights research;
- Attract more postgraduate students interested in undertaking human rights research.
Made up of representatives from CAPPE, Criminology, Education, Health Sciences, History, Law and Political Science, the Human Rights Forum runs seminars, public symposiums, lunchtime lectures, photographic exhibitions and roundtables, and sends out a regular email Bulletin containing information on upcoming human rights events both within the University and outside it. The broad Forum Network has over 200 members from within the University, and each year appoints a Steering Committee to guide the direction and activities of the Forum in the coming year. The current, 2008 Steering Committee was elected In November 2007 and is made up of the following members:
- Alison Duxbury (Law) (Convenor)
- Tom Bamforth (Red Cross)
- Dr Tom Davis (Arts/Political Science)
- Faith Hill (PhD candidate, Education)
- Dr Barbara Keys (Arts/History)
- Dr Barbara Kameniar (Education)
- Clancy Kelly (PhD candidate, Law)
- Lia Kent (PhD candidate, Criminology/Law)
- Suzy Killmister (PhD candidate, Arts/Philosophy)
- Nesam McMillan (PhD candidate, Arts/Criminology)
- Cecilia Mitchell (JD program, Law)
- Associate Professor Dianne Otto (Law)
- Philippa Smales (PhD candidate, Arts/Philosophy)
- Jason Pobjoy (Law, Mallesons Stephen Jaques)
- John Tobin (Law)
- Raelene West (PhD candidate, School of Population Health)
The 2007 Steering Committee members list can be found here
The 2006 Steering Committee members list can be found here
For more information about the Human Rights Forum please email human-rights@unimelb.edu.au
Future Directions
top of page
