We are committed to advancing supportive structures for early-career researchers.
With this aim, dedicated formats have been designed specifically to provide early-career researchers the opportunities to meaningfully contribute to the work of the Cluster while also growing professionally within and beyond academia in the field of human rights.
Postdoctoral Program
In the Transforming Human Rights Postdoctoral Program, early-career researchers from various disciplines can join the Cluster in preparation for a career in both academia and human rights practice alike.
Postdoctoral researchers pursue independent research in addition to actively engaging in collaborative and interdisciplinary research conducted within the Cluster by its multidisciplinary team. Beyond research opportunities, postdoctoral researchers benefit from comprehensive program offerings, including tailor-made skill and professional development trainings in areas such as research data management, academic publishing, grant writing, open science, and outreach. Postdoctoral researchers also have the opportunity to advance their methodological and mentorship skills, all while receiving the Cluster’s support in the preparation of their research stays or exposure to practice organizations. They are encouraged to meaningfully contribute to and partake in the international conferences and retreats of the Cluster, further facilitating opportunities for networking, engagement, and exchange with human rights scholars and practitioners. Each year, additional postdoctoral researchers will join the Cluster, strengthening its research activities and expanding its network of human rights scholars.
Take a look at the current members of our Postdoctoral Program.
Doctoral Program
The Transforming Human Rights Doctoral Program provides a structured, four-year framework designed to equip doctoral researchers with the methodological and substantive training needed to explore the intersection of global megatrends and human rights (See Figure).
Figure: Four Stages of the Transforming Human Rights Doctoral Program
Rooted in multi- and transdisciplinary research, the program dedicates its first year to building a joint knowledge base and essential research skills before transitioning into a second year focused on specialization, individual field research, and dedicated mentorship. During the third year, candidates prioritize writing and academic exchange by organizing an international conference with peers from partner institutions, which leads smoothly into a fourth year dedicated to finalizing the dissertation, engaging in science communication, and exploring career paths alongside human rights practitioners. Upon completion, early-career researchers integrate into the Cluster’s active Alumni Network, where they benefit from funding opportunities, short-term fellowships, and lifelong collaborative opportunities to further transform human rights scholarship and practice.
For more information, please review the Doctoral Program’s Frequently Asked Questions.
Take a look at the current members of our Doctoral Program.
Academic Accelerator Program
The Academic Accelerator Program offers a one-year, fixed-term opportunity designed to support highly qualified doctoral candidates from underrepresented backgrounds, thereby fostering essential diversity within human rights research. Each year, partner institutions exclusively nominate two talented researchers—typically in their second or third year of study—whose projects align with the Cluster’s interdisciplinary focus on how global megatrends like autocratization, economic globalization, migration, environmental crises, and digitalization are transforming human rights norms. To ensure long-term stability and prevent academic precarity or brain drain, selected candidates integrate into the Cluster’s Doctoral Program while remaining fully enrolled at their home institutions, guaranteeing a seamless return to their original programs once their year at the Cluster concludes.
Alumni Network
After completing their time at the Cluster, all early-career researchers can join the Cluster’s Alumni Network and benefit from continued networking and participation opportunities. In addition to facilitating continued connection amongst the Cluster network, the Alumni Network will support the active contribution by alumni to Cluster events and the development of ongoing cooperation projects between the Cluster and the alumni’s new institution.
