Kingston University
Institution profile
Website: fass.kingston.ac.uk
The Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences of Kingston University includes a number of dedicated research centres and units which have long been very active in the promotion of research and study on international politics, economics, culture and society. The study of International Conflict and of Human Rights studies have both been a high priority in the Faculty's development and expansion plans over the last eight years.
In 2004 under the direction of Professor Philip Spencer (the main coordinator of the European Joint Master of Human Rights and Genocide Studies) a Masters in Human Rights was established. In the same year the Helen Bamber Centre for the Study of Rights and Conflict was created: the range of activities supported by the Helen Bamber Centre include research, teaching, seminars and conferences, publications, advice and information. There is ongoing research on the politics of mass murder, on refugees and diasporas, on refugee camps, violence and security, on small arms proliferation, on the politics of human rights, on conflict regulation and the politics of transition, and on humanitarian intervention. The option modules offered by both the MA in Human Rights and the European Joint Master of Human Rights and Genocide Studies reflect this research and teaching strength.
The Helen Bamber Centre offers a wide-ranging programme of external and internal seminars, conferences and symposia. Past speakers have included politicians, diplomats and journalists, as well as officials from international organisations. In 2005 Kingston was awarded a EU Jean Monnet Grant to implement (together with other five European partners) a programme of activities titled 'Reflecting upon Crimes against Humanity and Human Rights - a European Agenda for the 21st century'. The Centre has been developing large contacts and a wide network of academics, practitioners and others working in this area in the UK and abroad.
Students at Kingston University can also take full advantage of the wide range of events that take place in central London and there is an extensive extra-curricular programme of events including an annual Human Rights Festival providing students with an opportunity to hear academics and practitioners discussing and debating pressing global issues.