A Network for Geneva-Based PhD Students on Areas within the Scientific Focus of the Geneva Academy

View of the public in a Geneva Academy's event View of the public in a Geneva Academy's event

5 November 2018

Conscious of the importance of peer-to-peer exchanges in academia, a group of our teaching assistants coordinates the Geneva Academy Wednesdays (GAWs), a platform to foster the exchange of ideas and develop a network of PhD students from the Graduate Institute of International and Development Studies and the University of Geneva who conduct research on areas within the scientific focus of the Geneva Academy.

On Wednesdays

GAWs take place on Wednesdays in the format of roundtables closed to the general public, where one or more PhD students from the Graduate Institute or the University of Geneva present their research, ideas, working papers or draft thesis chapters.

‘The objective is that participants can present their work and research in an informal way and receive constructive feedback on from their peers in a respectful and welcoming setting’ underlines Firouzeh Mitchell, Teaching Assistant at the Geneva Academy.

‘We plan to hold GAWs on a regular basis, every month or two. Previous GAWs have notably focussed on the accountability of armed groups under international law, transparency in the use of lethal force, the right to life or autonomous weapon systems’ explains George Dvalaze, Teaching Assistant at the Geneva Academy

Fostering Exchange and Discussions among Young Scholars

The GAWs are open to all Geneva-based PhD students who conduct research on issues related to international humanitarian law, international human rights law, international criminal law, international refugee law and transitional justice, as well as on selected public international law topics.

‘We want to make the Geneva Academy a hub for Geneva-based young scholars at different stages of their research to share their work and foster connections’ stresses Alessandra Spadaro, Teaching Assistant at the Geneva Academy.

Geneva Academy Wednesdays Network

An Upcoming Discussion on Detention by Armed Groups

On Wednesday 21 November 2018, the first GAW of the 2018-2019 academic year will focus on detention by armed groups.

Joshua Niyo, Teaching Assistant at the Geneva Academy, will present a draft paper on non-state armed groups and the power to detain in non-international armed conflicts. Alessandra Spadaro, who is writing a thesis on detention by armed groups under international law, will present a draft chapter on (disciplinary) detentions by armed groups of their own members. Light refreshments will be offered at the end.

Join the Network

If you’re interested in joining this network, you can fill this form to subscribe to the GAW mailing list and be informed about future GAWs.

Should you have any additional question or be interested in presenting your work, do not hesitate to contact us via email at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

 

MORE ON THIS THEMATIC AREA

neurotech image News

Research Brief Evaluates the Human Rights Implications of Neurotechnology in Therapeutic and Commercial Applications

27 March 2025

Our research brief, Neurotechnology and Human Rights: An Audit of Risks, Regulatory Challenges, and Opportunities, examines the human rights implications of neurotechnology in both therapeutic and commercial applications.

Read more

News

Apply to Our Online Executive Master - MAS in International Law in Armed Conflict

4 February 2025

Applications for the upcoming academic year of our Online Executive Master – MAS in International Law in Armed Conflict - are now open. They will remain open until 30 May 2025, with courses starting at the end of September 2025.

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

Open dump Training

Protecting Human Rights and the Environment

15-19 September 2025

Participants in this training course will gain practical insights into UN human rights mechanisms and their role in environmental protection and learn about how to address the interplay between international human rights and environmental law, and explore environmental litigation paths.

Read more

Plastic pollution on an Italian shore Project

Unpacking the Human Right to a Healthy Environment: Definition, Implementation and Impact

Started in January 2022

This research aims at mainstreaming the right to a clean, healthy and sustainable environment and the protection it affords in the work of the UN Human Rights Council, its Special Procedures and Universal Periodic Review, as well as in the work of the UN General Assembly and UN treaty bodies.

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 of the publication Publication

Briefing N° 25: Localizing Multilateralism

published on March 2025

Domenico Zipoli, Ludovica Chiussi Curzi, Kamelia Kemileva

Read more

Cover page of the working paper Publication

AI Decoded: Key Concepts and Applications of Artificial Intelligence for Human Rights and SDG Monitoring

published on January 2025

Milica Mirkovic, Jennifer Victoria Scurrell

Read more