The PhD Forum: Promoting Exchanges Among Peers

18 April 2024

The Geneva Academy PhD Forum provides a space of exchanges and discussions for PhD researchers and experts – in Geneva and beyond – who work in international humanitarian law, international human rights law, international criminal law, transitional justice, international refugee law and selected public international law topics.

At each event, PhD students – who can be based in Geneva but also elsewhere – can present and discuss their work in progress with the main discussant – who can be a PhD peer or a well-established expert with rich experience and knowledge on the topic. Following the discussant’s first reaction to the presentation, the floor is open for further comments or questions from the attendees and discussion with the presenter.

‘Writing a PhD is definitely enhanced by having instances to discuss your ideas and your work in progress with your peers and experts in the field. Even as an attendee, the PhD Forum always inspired me to make progress in my PhD.’ explains our Teaching Assistant Katia Rosenblat, co-coordinator of the PhD Forums.

‘In the first place, the PhD forum provides a platform for discussions that offers PhD students a sounding board for their proposals. Beyond that, it creates an opportunity for PhD students to connect and obtain constructive feedback from experts in their field of interest’, underlines Mina Radoncic, Teaching Assistant and co-ordinator of the PhD Forum.

Upcoming PhD Forum: The criterion of internal legitimacy as a benchmark to decide which NSAGs can be included in law-making

The next session of the PhD Forum will take place on 26 April 2024 at 18:30 (Geneva time) in person at the Geneva Academy and online. To take part in the in-person event, please register here.

Pauline Janssens, who is a PhD Candidate at the KU Leuven Institute for International Law, will present a part of her working paper 'The criterion of internal legitimacy as a benchmark to decide which NSAGs can be included in law-making'.

The main discussant for this event is Dr Ezequiel Heffes, an alumnus of the Geneva Academy and the Director of Watchlist on Children and Armed Conflict.

Drinks will be offered after the session.

To Be Updated about PHD Forums and Register for Upcoming Events

If you are interested in presenting your work and/or in attending the next series of events, you can subscribe to the PhD Forum mailing list.

A registration form for each event and a Zoom link for online participation will be shared via the mailing list. You can also contact the organizers at gaphd@geneva-academy.ch.

MORE ON THIS THEMATIC AREA

neurotech image News

Human Rights Concerns in Neurotechnology Examined in New Research Brief

15 April 2025

Our research brief 'Neurotechnology - Integrating Human Rights in Regulation' examines the human rights challenges posed by the rapid development of neurotechnology.

Read more

bombed building News

Expert Consultation on CESCR’s General Comment on ICESCR in Armed Conflict

8 May 2025

The Geneva Academy convened an expert consultation on the CESCR’s General Comment on the Application of the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights in Situations of Armed Conflict.

Read more

Warzone Event

Advanced IHL Seminar for Academics and Policymakers

25-29 August 2025, 09:00-17:30

Co-hosted with the ICRC, this event aims to enhance the capacity of academics to teach and research international humanitarian law, while also equipping policymakers with an in-depth understanding of ongoing legal debates.

Read more

Universal Declaration of Human Rights Booklet Training

The International Human Rights Standards and System: Monitoring and Implementation Strategies at the National Level

7-11 July 2025

This training course will delve into the means and mechanisms through which national actors can best coordinate their human rights monitoring and implementation efforts, enabling them to strategically navigate the UN human rights system and use the various mechanisms available in their day-to-day work.

Read more

A general view of participants during of the 33nd ordinary session of the Human Rights Council. Training

The Universal Periodic Review and the UN Human Rights System: Raising the Bar on Accountability

10-14 November 2025

This training course will explore the origin and evolution of the Universal Periodic Review (UPR) and its functioning in Geneva and will focus on the nature of implementation of the UPR recommendations at the national level.

Read more

Session of a UN Treaty Body Project

Treaty Bodies Individual Communications Procedures

Started in January 2019

Read more

A destroyed camp for internally displaced persons (IDPs) in Khor Abeche, South Darfur, Project

Understanding the Relationship between Conflict, Security and the Human Right to a Clean, Healthy and Sustainable Environment

Started in May 2023

This project will develop guidance to inform security, human rights and environmental debates on the linkages between environmental rights and conflict, and how their better management can serve as a tool in conflict prevention, resilience and early warning.

Read more

Cover Page of Research Brief Publication

War on Minorities’ Under the Guise of Countering Terrorism and Violent Extremism

published on December 2024

Beatrice Meretti

Read more

Cover Page of Research Brief Publication

Navigating Pathways Toward Transitional Justice in Ukraine

published on October 2024

Robin van der Lugt, Chhime Namdol Sherpa

Read more