The Oxford Consortium for Human Rights (OCHR) conducts workshop seminars for students and faculty in collaboration with the Oxford Institute for Ethics, Law and Armed Conflict (ELAC). The Oxford Consortium currently hosts annual workshops for students and faculty in Oxford (spring and summer) and New York and Sonoma (fall), with additional workshops in development in other locations and with different areas of focus in human rights. Our workshops are student focused, but with a faculty component involving collaborative research (learn more about workshops here).
The Consortium began in 2012, with generous financial support from Steve Raymund, David Stern, and Laura and Bob Sillerman, and the administrative support of Former Dean David Frank of the University of Oregon Clark Honors College and Caroline Massey of Merton College, Oxford. It is co-chaired by Cheyney Ryan and Hugo Slim, both Senior Fellows of ELAC. Dr. Ryan is also Director of Human Rights Programs for ELAC, Dr. Slim is Head of Policy for the International Committee of the Red Cross in Geneva, Switzerland. The executive director is Sujata Gadkar-Wilcox of Quinnipiac University. The Consortium's work is enriched by the ongoing participation of our affiliated faculty members, as well as guest presenters who have included human rights practitioners, UN representatives, non-governmental organization leaders, and Oxford University scholars.
The Office of Distinguished Scholarships coordinates the outreach, recruitment, application, and selection of UO students to participate in the workshops and provides funding to support their participation. The OCHR experience is integrated into the pipeline programs for developing distinguished scholarships candidates at the University of Oregon, and there is a strong correlation between OCHR alum and distinguished scholarships endorsees, finalists, and recipients from the University of Oregon. 2024 UO alum and Rhodes Scholar Nayantara Arora will become the first UO OCHR Rhodes Scholar and looks forward to strengthening the UO-Oxford network while pursuing her DPhil in Clinical Medicine as a member of St. Edmund Hall at the University of Oxford. She has offered to perform livestream conversations with prospective and current UO distinguished scholarship applicants from the Rhodes House and document her experience through a blog.
New Technology and Human Rights Workshop
In July of 2024, the University of Oregon and Oxford Consortium of Human Rights supported the following cohort of students to attend the New Technology and Human Rights Workshop at the University of Oxford in Oxford, England.
Sophia Barghouti '27 Political Science, Middle Eastern and North African Studies
Sophia Barghouti is a Palestinian student at University of Oregon, majoring in Political Science and Middle Eastern and North African Studies. With a passion for human rights work, she has gained valuable experience as a Human Rights and Disability Rights Intern at Mobility International USA, where she engages with government officials in Bahrain to discuss disability laws and programs. Sophia's commitment to advocating for social justice and equality is further showcased in her published work, "'Til Bombs Do US Part." This narrative story, inspired by real events during the 2006 war in Lebanon, highlights her deep understanding and interest in promoting human rights. She hopes to pursue a law degree in international human rights.
Bryonie McMahon '27 Political Science, Educational Foundations
Byronie McMahon (she/her) is a freshman at the University of Oregon, where she studies Education and Political Science. She hopes to use her degree to one day impact public educational policy and become a teacher. Previously, Byronie served on the Portland Public School Board, where she developed a passion for educational equity and access. She now carries this passion into her work as a Youth Advisory Board member at Plan International US. Her advocacy with Plan has led her to engagements with organizations such as the White House AI Task Force, World Bank and the Untied Nations regarding technology and girl's leadership.
Colleen Uzoekwe '24 Human Physiology
Colleen is a Human Physiology major at the University of Oregon. She participated in a research internship on public policy for human rights in medicine and she hopes to eventually become a doctor who can advocate for other with limited health knowledge. Colleen was a 2024 Rhodes National finalist.
Ruby Wool '25 Journalism
Ruby Wool is studying journalism and global health at the University of Oregon. She is entering her second term as the Governor-appointed student represtatative on the UO Bard of Trustees. As a news correspondent for the UO-UNESCO Crossings Institute, Wool aims to highlight journalism's crucial role in ensuring a sustainable future that respects human rights and welcomes diverse voices. This past May, she covered World Press Day 2024 in Santiago, Chile, where she explored the importance of freedom of expression in the context of the current global environmental crisis.
Miriam Yousaf '24 Global Studies
Miriam Yousaf recently graduated from the University of Oregon Clark Honors College with a BA in Global Studies and minors in Spanish, Global Health and Environmental Studies. She has worked with Environmental Justice NGO, Beyond Toxics on community health data collection and analysis, and the UO Prison Education Program, which provides education opportunities to incarcerated men and women. This fall, Miriam is attending Columbia University to pursue a Masters in International Affairs (Economic Development, Conflict Resolution). In the future, she aims to work on human rights documentation in migrant communities and conflict zones.
Human Rights, Activism and Community Action Workshop
In January of 2024, the University of Oregon and Oxford Consortium of Human Rights supported the following cohort of students to attend the Human Rights, Activism and Community Action Workshop in Sonoma, CA.
Yash Akhouri '23 Architecture & 25'MS Architecture
Hailing from the vibrant town of Renukoot, India and enriched by experiences in South Africa and other countries, Yash brings a unique global perspective to the realm of architectural design.
Despite a non-traditional background, his passion lies in understanding the intricate stories of people worldwide that fuels his creativity and adaptability. Yash believes in continuous learning beyond the classroom, applying newfound knowledge to daily actions. His inclination for embracing discomfort aligns with his eagerness for amalgamating human rights work and design. Though not from a Human Rights background, Yash is driven by a profound passion for positive change.
He eagerly anticipates weaving his personal journey into architecturally meaningful designs that reflect the profound narratives of people. With a mission to create meaningful designs, Yash aims to address essential needs through genuine connections.
Jivan Khalsa '25 General Social Science
Jivan is a junior studying General Social Science with a concentration in Crime, Law, and Society, with minors in Legal Studies and Women's, Gender, and Sexuality Studies at the University of Oregon. Last spring she participated in an Inside-Out class at the Oregon State Penitentiary, and is now working as an intern with the UO Prison Education Program. Here she continues to strive for the humanization of incarcerated people through means of access to education. Jivan's classes and work experiences have deepened her passion for advocacy and helped to guide her towards becoming an attorney.
Mac McCarty '25 Planning, Public Policy and Management
Mac is a third-year undergraduate at the University of Oregon studying Planning, Public Policy, and Management, with minors in Legal Studies and Nonprofit Administration. Last summer, Mac interned with the Law Office of Erin Robinson in which he was working with reproductive rights and adoption law in a small practice handling a large and dynamic caseload. While his hands-on experience in human rights is always evolving, Mac's eagerness to learn and collaborate with his community underscores his commitment to making a meaningful impact.
2025 Sonoma Workshop: Deadline TBD Fall Term 2025
2025 July Workshop in Oxford, England: Deadline TBD Spring Term 2025
Office of Distinguished Scholarships
2023 University of Oregon OCHR Contingent
2019 University of Oregon OCHR Contingent
2018 University of Oregon OCHR Contingent
