UAB Institute for Human Rights
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The UAB IHR serves as a platform for interdisciplinary interaction and collaboration for human rights.
More than 60 years after the adoption of the UN’s Universal Declaration of Human Rights, the gap continues to widen between rights conferred by law and the daily realities for many around the world. Human rights concerns are at the core of our societal issues and affect human beings worldwide. Vulnerable populations are confronted by serious human rights violations, frequently unchecked and en masse, and continue to struggle for dignity, equality, and freedom. The UAB Institute for Human Rights serves as a permanent location where scholars, educators, and activists come together and collaborate on initiatives designed to promote and protect human rights in an increasingly complex and globalized landscape. In this capacity, the Institute integrates existing university and community strengths and capacities with a global outlook, focusing on the use of innovative technologies and scientific methods to create and foster new research, policy solutions, educational programming, and outreach activities relating to all aspects of human rights. Mission:
The Institute for Human Rights at UAB serves as an internationally renowned platform for interdisciplinary interaction and collaboration for scholars, educators, students, and activists to raise awareness, engage in education, foster research, and design initiatives for practical action resulting in the promotion and protection of human and civil rights locally, nationally, and globally. Our vision is to prepare, transform, and support the leaders of the global human rights community by creating innovative educational programs, research initiatives, and outreach solutions.
10/03/2026
What does the right to health require of our health systems and the broader systems that support pregnant and postpartum people? What does it mean for someone to have a right to maternal health when access to high-quality care remains unequal and is shaped by structural barriers? How can healthcare, public health, communities, and policymakers share responsibility for creating the conditions needed to improve maternal health outcomes?
Dr. Holly Horan & Reneé Smith, LICSW will be our experts leading this conversation.
Mark our SJCs on your calendar, share it with your friends and family, and we'll see you on Zoom!
10/02/2026
Meet the Team: IHR Leadership Team
The team upholding our three main pillars! 👏
Our IHR Leadership Team plays a vital role in helping advance the Institute's mission through leadership, collaboration, and a shared passion for human rights. Dr. Claire Greenstein is the Associate Director of Education, managing the blogs educational efforts, including the IHR Blog. Dr. Meredith Gartin is the Associate Director of Outreach, supervising community outreach efforts, including the IHR BICEP program. Dr. Holly Horan is the Associate Director of Research, overseeing the Institute's research efforts and connecting faculty with resources to conduct interdisciplinary research using a human rights framework.
Get to know the faces behind the work and join us in celebrating the dedicated leaders who help move IHR forward. We can't wait to share more about each of these incredible team members! 💚💛
Next up, meet Sushmita Mali! We're excited to introduce another one of our incredible graduate lab assistants who helps support the Institute’s mission through research, collaboration, and mentorship.
As part of our team, Sushmita contributes to projects that promote human rights education and engagement while helping create meaningful learning opportunities for students. Her dedication and perspective make her a valued member of the Institute community.
Be sure to stop by the Institute, say hello, and take a moment to get to know Sushmita. Stay tuned as we continue introducing the amazing graduate lab assistants who make up our team!
Meet the Team Series: Graduate Lab Assistants 👋
First up, say hello to Ivy Davis! We're excited to introduce one of our six graduate lab assistants who helps mentor the undergraduate blog interns, composes blog posts on human rights topics such as the human right to dignity in death and rights of incarcerated individuals.
Be sure to stop by the Institute, say hi, and take a moment to get to know Ivy. We can't wait for you to meet the amazing people who make up our team!
What a meaningful day of learning and growth! Our Compassion & Trauma Training with Rebecca Rampe challenged us to think deeper about the power of empathy, understanding, and connection. Thank you to Rebecca and all who joined us for this important conversation. Together, we can create more compassionate communities.
09/17/2026
What does it mean to have the human right to participate in government? What are some recent developments that challenge this right? Who do these changes impact the most? How are these challenges being addressed? Join our conversation to learn from our experts!
Sam Duff is the Voting Rights Policy Strategist from the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) of Alabama, Stan Johnson is the Northwest Regional Organizer at Alabama Arise (AL Arise ), and Lisa Borden is the Deputy Federal Policy Director with the Southern Poverty Law Center (SPLC).
A huge thank you to Mike Niconchuck for sharing his insight and expertise during our Lunch & Learn, How Safety Shapes Trauma, Healing, and Human Rights. We are grateful for the meaningful conversation and valuable perspectives that challenged us to think deeper about the role of safety in building healthier communities.
Thank you as well to everyone who attended and contributed to the discussion. Your engagement helped make this event a great success!
Stay connected and keep an eye on our pages for upcoming Lunch & Learns and other exciting events. We look forward to learning with you again soon!
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09/11/2026
Reintroducing the IHR Core Team!
Think of them as the brains, the planners, the hype squad, and the heart behind all that we'll accomplish.
They're ready to serve, lead, and make 2026 one for the books!
Get to know each member and join us in celebrating this incredible team!
09/03/2026
Check out these upcoming events next week! 📆 Both of these are on Wednesday, and they are back to back. Join us on Zoom anyway to learn more about the criminalization of homelessness, and stop by to grab some lunch while you learn about how safety shapes trauma, healing, and human rights. Don't forget to register, and we'll see you there!
09/01/2026
How well do you know the IHR?🤔 Flex your knowledge in the comments section and among your friends, and be on the lookout for some exciting news coming up!🤩
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Address
402 Heritage Hall, 1401 University Boulevard
Birmingham, AL
35233
Opening Hours
| Monday | 9am - 5pm |
| Tuesday | 9am - 5pm |
| Wednesday | 9am - 5pm |
| Thursday | 9am - 5pm |
| Friday | 9am - 5pm |
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