Human Rights Consortium

16/10/2026

At the SAS Festival 2026 last week, Director of the Institute of Commonwealth Studies Professor Kingsley Abbott spoke about the Institute's research, specifically about one of our four research clusters on environmental justice and climate breakdown, led by Professor Damien Short. We were also delighted to have our colleagues from Stop Ecocide International join us at our stand, showcasing the One Dress Project, a unique piece of textile art supporting their work.

During his talk, Professor Abbott said "Looking at Ecocide is not simply a question of environmental science or criminal law. It also raises historical and cultural questions about how societies understand relationships between people, land and the natural world. These are precisely the kind of challenge where the humanities have something important to contribute, including whose voices are heard in these discussions."

Read more here: https://commonwealth.sas.ac.uk/news-events/news/sas-festival-showcasing-institutes-research-environmental-justice



School of Advanced Study - University of London

08/10/2026

01/10/2026

The Commonwealth and Geopolitics - 3rd Annual Conference on the Commonwealth of Nations, 27 November 2026 | St Mary’s University, Twickenham

In an era of geopolitical uncertainty, what future does the Commonwealth have?

Explore the challenges and opportunities facing one of the world’s most diverse international associations through debates on diplomacy, global governance, trade, technology, development and international security. Bringing together academics, diplomats, policymakers and practitioners.

Learn more and register here:

https://estore.stmarys.ac.uk/product-catalogue/conferences-events/school-of-business-and-law/commonwealth-conference-27th-november-2026



School of Advanced Study - University of London
University of London

18/09/2026

USC Dornsife Center for Advanced Genocide Research

17/09/2026

FORTHCOMING EVENT IN 2 WEEKS👇 👇 👇

International Law and the Art of the Possible with Luis Franceschi, Special Envoy on Mediation at The Republic of Kenya
30 September 2026, 6pm-8pm, The Senate Room, First Floor, Senate House, Malet Street, London WC1E 7HU

In a moment when multilateralism is tested by conflict and fragmentation, this lecture asks what international law can still realistically deliver, and what the Commonwealth’s distinct model of “friendship with a purpose” offers that other multilateral frameworks do not. More than treaties signed overnight or the formal architecture of law, what helps is trust patiently built, relationships sustained across generations, and a habit of speaking honestly among friends, even about those uncomfortable truths diplomats usually shun.

Drawing on years of practice in peacebuilding, Commonwealth diplomacy, and Constitutional Law, Prof. Franceschi will explore how this relational fabric opens space for legal and political possibilities that adversarial diplomacy forecloses. Grounded in real-life situations, the lecture will address the art of the possible: not the abandonment of principle, but its patient, relational pursuit.

Register here: https://commonwealth.sas.ac.uk/news-events/events/international-law-art-possible


School of Advanced Study - University of London
Human Rights Consortium

16/09/2026

Academic Freedom and Human Rights in Focus at Utrecht Summer School

From 17–21 August 2026, Institute of Commonwealth Studies PhD researcher Joe Ruzvidzo attended the Utrecht Summer School course “Advocacy for Academic Freedom and Human Rights” at Utrecht University in the Netherlands. The intensive programme brought together Master’s and PhD researchers and higher education professionals to examine academic freedom, democracy and related human rights from an international perspective.

Read more here: https://commonwealth.sas.ac.uk/news-events/news/academic-freedom-human-rights-focus-utrecht-summer-school


School of Advanced Study - University of London
University of London

04/09/2026

Forthcoming event 👇 👇 👇

International Law and the Art of the Possible with Professor Luis Franceschi, Special Envoy on Mediation at The Republic of Kenya

30 September 2026, 6pm-8pm, The Senate Room, First Floor, Senate House, Malet Street, London WC1E 7HU

In a moment when multilateralism is tested by conflict and fragmentation, this lecture asks what international law can still realistically deliver, and what the Commonwealth’s distinct model of “friendship with a purpose” offers that other multilateral frameworks do not. More than treaties signed overnight or the formal architecture of law, what helps is trust patiently built, relationships sustained across generations, and a habit of speaking honestly among friends, even about those uncomfortable truths diplomats usually shun.

Drawing on years of practice in peacebuilding, Commonwealth diplomacy, and Constitutional Law, Prof. Franceschi will explore how this relational fabric opens space for legal and political possibilities that adversarial diplomacy forecloses. Grounded in real-life situations, the lecture will address the art of the possible: not the abandonment of principle, but its patient, relational pursuit.

Register here: https://commonwealth.sas.ac.uk/news-events/events/international-law-art-possible



School of Advanced Study - University of London
University of London

27/08/2026

On 31 July 2026, Professor Kingsley Abbott represented the Institute at the international conference “Reparatory Justice in and Through Sport” in Glasgow.