Law School seeks Human Rights Program applicants

Through its visiting fellowships program, the Harvard Law School (HLS) Human Rights Program seeks to give thoughtful individuals with a demonstrated commitment to human rights an opportunity to step back and conduct a serious inquiry in the human rights field. Individuals who become fellows at the program are usually experienced activists or scholars with a substantial background in human rights. On occasion, they have included young, committed workers in the field with the capacity and interest to develop as teachers or activists. A number of fellows have also come from the judiciary and other branches of government.

Typically, fellows come from outside the United States. They spend from one semester to a full academic year (preference for candidates who can commit to a full academic year) in residence at HLS and devote the bulk of their time to research and writing on a specific human rights topic. During this time, fellows may also audit courses in human-rights and related subjects.

The program is now accepting visiting fellow applications for the 2007-08 academic year. The deadline for applications is Dec. 15.

Applicants should send the following information and materials: a detailed description of the proposed area of research and writing while at the program (the proposal should define the aims of the study and its methods as clearly as possible); the duration of the stay and the expected sources of funding; two letters of recommendation from people familiar with the applicant’s work; a sample of any writing on human rights; a resume or curriculum vitae; a description of proposed work and career after the fellowship; and a statement to the effect that the applicant has fluent command of oral English sufficient to participate actively from the time of arrival in individual and group discussions.

Complete application materials should be mailed to Mindy Jane Roseman, academic director; Human Rights Program, Pound Hall 401, HLS, Cambridge, MA 02138.

For more information, visit http://www.law.harvard.edu/programs/hrp/visiting_fellows.html, or e-mail mroseman@law.harvard.edu.