UAB Institute for Human Rights

Unhoused communities are one of the most vulnerable populations in society, facing many harsh and unstable situations to simply exist. Housing is a human right, enshrined in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR). Join us for a conversation about housing insecurity locally, nationally, and globally and learn how a global framework of rights can be applied locally to advocate for housing security.

TOMORROW is the day! Join us in welcoming Dr. Keisha Blain to UAB, where she will discuss her new book, “Without Fear: Black Women and the Making of Human Rights.” We will start at 4PM with a reception and a book signing event (where you can purchase a copy of her book and get it signed 📚) followed by the conversation starting at 5PM. This event is co-sponsored by multiple departments across campus as well as the Birmingham Civil Rights Institute! Stop by the UAB National Alumni Society House for good food, great reads, and fantastic conversations!

Join us for a week full of events on Wednesday evening, Thursday afternoon and Thursday evening! Wednesday’s conversation will focus on maternal health and reproductive rights. Thursday afternoon will highlight international relations and careers in the public sector. Thursday’s evening event will be a film screening followed by a discussion on the Haitian maternal healthcare system, exposing some of the barriers to care.

Deadline to apply has been EXTENDED for our internship opportunities! Apply by the 31st to join our team! We have multiple positions for the human rights lab internship and 20 positions for the Birmingham Immersive Community Empowerment Program (BICEP). Both of the internships are PAID!

Join us TODAY at NOON for a social justice café to learn more about what’s happening with the war in Iran. Drs. Rob Blanton and Tina Kempin Reuter will share some insights about the war, including its geopolitical implications. This will also be a great opportunity to ask any questions you may have. ̇ran

The Institute for Human Rights (IHR) at UAB is hiring undergraduate interns for both our Human Rights Lab Internship (HRT Lab) and our Birmingham Immersive Community Empowerment Program (BICEP) internship.

The HRT Lab internship offers students training and opportunities to publish peer reviewed blogs on human rights topics on our IHR Blog page. We are looking to fill multiple positions for this internship. If you are a good writer, this one is for you!

The BICEP internship offers students the opportunity to work closely with one of the twenty participating community organizations of their choice. We are looking for one intern for each of the 20 sites, and these organizations work to promote various types of human rights across Birmingham. If you are interested in community engagement or service work, this internship is right up your alley!

Both internship opportunities are PAID! Interested students should scan the QR code or visit our website to learn more. Apply today to become part of the IHR Team!

It has been four years since Russia launched a full scale invasion on Ukraine, and the conflict is still ongoing. What’s happened since then? How are the citizens impacted? What peace efforts have been made? How is this shaping the larger region, and geopolitics overall? Join the conversation to hear more from scholars who have researched this conflict extensively and hear from one of the speakers who has been back to Ukraine in the past four years.

What does the constitution 📜 say about free speech 📣and peaceful assembly and how are these rights protected and promoted in the legal framework ? Join us for a chance to hear from someone who is witnessing this first hand in Minnesota.

Please note the change in time 🕰️ for this event (held at 12-1 PM central instead of the usual 4-5 time slot). Invite your friends, your family and even your neighbors to join us on zoom!

AI data centers are changing the landscape of cities across the country — but not everyone’s cheering. Are these high-tech hubs driving progress, or are they draining local resources and reshaping communities without consent?

This documentary zooms in on Bessemer, Alabama — where residents, city leaders, and tech companies are clashing over the arrival of a massive data center. You’ll get an inside look at heated city council meetings, interviews with local voices, and deep dives into the environmental ripple effects of AI infrastructure.

After the film, join a panel of people who were part of the story— those who asked tough questions, gathered community input, and tracked the real-world impact of big tech’s physical footprint.

Come for the film, stay for the conversation. Don’t miss your chance to see how AI is reshaping not just industries, but entire communities. Register now to save your spot!

AI data centers are changing the landscape of cities across the country— but not everyone’s cheering. Are these high-tech hubs driving progress, or are they draining local resources and reshaping communities without consent? 🤖

This documentary zooms in on Bessemer, Alabama — where residents, city leaders, and tech companies are clashing over the arrival of a massive data center.

You will get an inside look at the heated city council meetings, interviews with local voices, and deep dives into the environmental ripple effects of AI infrastructure. After the film, join a panel of people who were part of the story — those who asked tough questions, gathered community input, and tracked the real-world impact of big tech’s physical footprint.

Come for the film, stay for the conversation. Don’t miss your chance to see how AI is reshaping not just industries, but entire communities. Register now to save your spot!

Trying to make sense of what’s happening in the world right now? If global politics and power struggles have you asking big questions about international law, sovereignty, human rights, and why “might makes right” still seems to shape our headlines - you’re not alone. Join us for a lively conversation that breaks down these complex ideas, explores what’s really driving global change, and helps you see the world through a sharper, more informed lens. All are welcome to attend.