Institute of Commonwealth Studies

Institute of Commonwealth Studies It is also home to the longest-running interdisciplinary and practice-oriented human rights MA program in the UK.

Leading impactful research, education and collaboration on challenges to strengthen
democracy, human rights and the rule of law in the modern Commonwealth and
globally. The Institute of Commonwealth Studies, founded in 1949, is the only postgraduate academic institution in the United Kingdom devoted to the study of the Commonwealth. The Institute is a national and international centre of excellenc

e for policy-relevant research, research facilitation and teaching. As a member of the School of Advanced Study, the Institute aims to address the challenges confronting the modern Commonwealth through the development of effective policy solutions. The Institute’s Library is an international resource holding more than 190,000 volumes, with particularly impressive Caribbean, Southern African and Australian holdings and over 200 archival collections.

A full Beveridge Hall last night for our special screening of The People's Emergency Briefing We were delighted to welco...
03/06/2026

A full Beveridge Hall last night for our special screening of The People's Emergency Briefing

We were delighted to welcome more than 120 attendees for an evening of evidence, reflection and discussion on the ecological crisis, followed by an expert panel exploring implications for food systems, economics, law, education and environmental justice. The film’s call for the UK Government to stage a televised National Emergency Briefing communicating the scale and immediacy of the risks society faces from climate change, directly aligns with approved strategic university aims relating to engaging stakeholders to establish a “common truth” (i.e. common baseline understanding) to enable informed action on climate change.

Many thanks to our Chair Damien Short and panellists Paul Behrens, Angela Francis, Jojo Mehta and to everyone who contributed to such a thoughtful and constructive event.

The screening was presented in partnership between the Institute of Commonwealth Studies, University of London's Sustainability Team and National Emergency Briefing.

The recording of the panel will be available soon on our website: https://commonwealth.sas.ac.uk/news-events/videos-podcasts



Stop Ecocide International
School of Advanced Study - University of London
University of London
Human Rights Consortium

Join us on 18 June 2026 from 2pm-3pm (UK time) to hear about our Postgraduate Studies in Human Rights by distance learni...
03/06/2026

Join us on 18 June 2026 from 2pm-3pm (UK time) to hear about our Postgraduate Studies in Human Rights by distance learning.

Learn more about our MA, the modules you will study, and the career paths that the degree will open to ayou, during our live online webinar. The webinar includes a live Q&A session where you will have the opportunity to ask your questions directly to Programme Director Professor Corinne Lennox.

Register your place here:
https://us06web.zoom.us/webinar/register/2617799618219/WN_ZK4vZuDwTzGqNCbd5jgJ8g



School of Advanced Study - University of London
University of London

Alumni Spotlight 🎓 🔦 3️⃣ 0️⃣ As part of the 30th Anniversary of Human Rights Education at the , we will be profiling alu...
29/05/2026

Alumni Spotlight 🎓 🔦 3️⃣ 0️⃣

As part of the 30th Anniversary of Human Rights Education at the
, we will be profiling alumni and currents students on our MA and PhD programmes to highlight their contributions to securing human rights.

⭐ This month's alum is Patrick Duce ⭐

Patrick is a housing and homelessness professional with more than 15 years’ experience working at the intersection of human rights, social justice and public policy. Throughout his career, he has been committed to advancing the right to adequate housing and developing practical solutions to address homelessness, housing exclusion and inequality. He currently works as a civil servant leading the Voluntary and Community Sector Team at the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG), where he oversees national homelessness funding and policy programmes that support efforts to prevent and end homelessness across England. This includes the £37m Ending Homelessness in Communities Fund, the £12m National Workforce Programme and the national StreetLink service.

Read more about his impressive accomplishments: https://commonwealth.sas.ac.uk/news-events/news/alumni-spotlight-patrick-duce

,

School of Advanced Study - University of London
University of London
Human Rights Consortium

Join us NEXT WEEK on 2 June 2026 from 6pm in Senate House for a special community screening: THE PEOPLE'S EMERGENCY BRIE...
25/05/2026

Join us NEXT WEEK on 2 June 2026 from 6pm in Senate House for a special community screening: THE PEOPLE'S EMERGENCY BRIEFING - an eye-opening film bringing together ten leading UK scientists and experts with the latest evidence and why it matters for things like:

🍞 Food security
🏥 Health
💷 Cost of living
🪪 National security
💷 Economics
🌳 Nature

WATCH THE TRAILER HERE: https://www.youtube.com/watch?si=Zyx8pq01Dvl6b80V&v=JaI-dHgh65Q&feature=youtu.be

The film is based on the National Emergency Briefing (NEB) in Westminster (featured by ITV, Channel 4 and The Times) with appearances from Chris Packham, Deborah Meaden, and a range of voices from across the UK.

After the film there will be a panel discussion chaired by Professor Damien Short, Professor of Human Rights and Environmental Justice.

The panel includes:

- Professor Paul Behrens, British Academy Global Professor and expert in food system transformations
- Angela Francis, Policy expert in green economics
- Jojo Mehta, Co-founder of Stop Ecocide

Seats are free but limited so please book in advance: https://commonwealth.sas.ac.uk/news-events/events/special-community-screening-peoples-emergency-briefing

Bring a friend, neighbour or family member: everyone is welcome.

Please share with your networks!

The screening is presented in partnership between the Institute of Commonwealth Studies, University of London's Sustainability Team and National Emergency Briefing. Note: the film is only being shown at in-person screenings and is not available online.



School of Advanced Study - University of London
University of London

On 19 May 2026, the Institute of Commonwealth Studies together with its partners, the International Commission of Jurist...
21/05/2026

On 19 May 2026, the Institute of Commonwealth Studies together with its partners, the International Commission of Jurists and The Commonwealth with support from the Open Society Foundations, hosted the launch of two groundbreaking initiatives in London: the Practitioners’ Guide on a Human Rights-Based Approach to the Decriminalisation of Poverty and Status, and the People-Centred Public Safety Fellowships.

The high-level launch brought together world-renowned legal experts, human rights defenders, judges and policymakers.

Featured speakers included:

- Livio Zilli, Deputy Director of Programs, International Commission of Jurists (ICJ)
- Dr Elizabeth Macharia Mokobi, Legal Adviser and Head (a.g), Rule of Law, The Commonwealth Secretariat
- Hugo Tovar, Director, Security and Rights, Open Society Foundations (OSF)
- Justice Aruna Devi Narain, ICJ Commissioner and Judge of the Supreme Court of Mauritius
- Dr Mutuma Ruteere, Director, National Crime Research Centre (NCRC)
- Professor Balakrishnan Rajagopal, Massachusetts Institute of Technology and former United Nations Special Rapporteur on the Right to Adequate Housing

Read more about the event here: https://commonwealth.sas.ac.uk/news-events/news/uk-launch-practitioners-guide-human-rights-based-approach-decriminalisation-poverty-status-people



School of Advanced Study - University of London
Universal Studios Hollywood

We are delighted to host the UK launch of the People-Centred Public Safety Fellowships and the Practitioners’ Guide on a...
14/05/2026

We are delighted to host the UK launch of the People-Centred Public Safety Fellowships and the Practitioners’ Guide on a Human Rights-Based Approach to the Decriminalisation of Poverty and Status.

The event will be delivered in partnership with the International Commission of Jurists and The Commonwealth, with support from the Open Society Foundations under auspices of the Global Campaign. We look forward to welcoming key guests and speakers including, Dr Elizabeth Macharia, Livio Zilli, Hugo Tovar and Prof Balakrishnan Rajagopal.

View the event details and full programme here: https://commonwealth.sas.ac.uk/news-events/events/human-rights-security-decriminalisation-poverty-status

And learn more about the project on our website: https://commonwealth.sas.ac.uk/research-projects/decriminalisation-poverty-status



School of Advanced Study - University of London
University of London
Human Rights Consortium
Campaign to Decriminalise Poverty & Status - Poverty is Not a Crime

3 WEEKS TO GO 👇 👇👇Join us on 2 June 2026 for a special community screening: THE PEOPLE'S EMERGENCY BRIEFING - an eye-ope...
12/05/2026

3 WEEKS TO GO 👇 👇👇

Join us on 2 June 2026 for a special community screening: THE PEOPLE'S EMERGENCY BRIEFING - an eye-opening film bringing together ten leading UK scientists and experts with the latest evidence and why it matters for things like:

🍞 Food security
🏥 Health
💷 Cost of living
🪪 National security
💷 Economics
🌳 Nature

WATCH THE TRAILER HERE: https://youtu.be/JaI-dHgh65Q?si=Zyx8pq01Dvl6b80V

The film is based on the National Emergency Briefing (NEB) in Westminster (featured by ITV, Channel 4 and The Times) with appearances from Chris Packham, Deborah Meaden, and a range of voices from across the UK.

After the film there will be a panel discussion chaired by Professor Damien Short, Professor of Human Rights and Environmental Justice.

The panel includes:

- Professor Paul Behrens, British Academy Global Professor and expert in food system transformations
- Angela Francis, Policy expert in green economics
- Jojo Mehta, Co-founder of Stop Ecocide
- Scarlett Westbrook, Coordinator and spokesperson for the UK Student Climate Network

Seats are free but limited so please book in advance: https://commonwealth.sas.ac.uk/news-events/events/special-community-screening-peoples-emergency-briefing

Bring a friend, neighbour or family member: everyone is welcome.

Please share with your networks!

The screening is presented in partnership between the Institute of Commonwealth Studies, University of London's Sustainability Team and National Emergency Briefing. Note: the film is only being shown at in-person screenings and is not available online.

08/05/2026

How can Parliaments ensure that media freedoms are upheld?

Ensuring that Parliaments uphold the principles of media freedom and expression help to promote good governance in the Commonwealth. It is vital that Parliamentarians take a stand.

To mark World Press Freedom Day on 3 May, this blog by William Horsley (Commonwealth Journalists Association) explores recent developments and the role that MPs can play.

Read the blog ⬇
https://www.cpahq.org/knowledge-centre/blogs/media-freedoms-and-parliament/




Institute of Commonwealth Studies Committee to Protect Journalists Commonwealth Human Rights Initiative The Commonwealth UNESCO

‼️ CALL FOR PAPERS ‼️ 3rd Annual Interdisciplinary Conference on the Commonwealth of Nations, St Mary’s University, Twic...
08/05/2026

‼️ CALL FOR PAPERS ‼️

3rd Annual Interdisciplinary Conference on the Commonwealth of Nations, St Mary’s University, Twickenham, UK, Friday 27 November 2026

Theme: The Commonwealth and Geopolitics
Abstract deadline: 1 July 2026

In recent years there have been an increasing number of significant challenges to the post-WWII rules-based world order: from the continued erosion of multilateralism, the unravelling of the UN, the upending of the international developmental model, increasing defiance of international law, contraction of free trade, constriction of freedom of navigation, the slide towards authoritarianism and the use of force to settle disputes in international politics.

What space and opportunities are there for the Commonwealth, a self-declared values-based association, when confronted by such fragmentation of the broader international system? When the greatest dangers to international peace and security appear to come from great powers, what tangible benefits can a highly diverse association offer its middle power members and the majority of small and Small Island Developing States?

Full details here: https://www.commonwealthroundtable.co.uk/general/journal-notices/call-for-papers-3rd-annual-interdisciplinary-conference-on-the-commonwealth-of-nations/

Congratulations to all of our graduating students including Brenda Kositany and Wai Hon Chiu pictured here at the ceremo...
29/04/2026

Congratulations to all of our graduating students including Brenda Kositany and Wai Hon Chiu pictured here at the ceremony yesterday with Professor Corinne Lennox and Dr Karen Bennett.

In honour of the University of London graduation this week, here's a look back to the School of Advanced Study's ceremony from February which included a moving speech from another MA Human Rights graduate Victoria Romo: https://commonwealth.sas.ac.uk/news-events/news/school-advanced-study-graduation-2026



University of London
School of Advanced Study - University of London
Human Rights Consortium

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