The Carr-Ryan Center for Human Rights serves as the hub of the Harvard Kennedy School’s research, teaching, and training in the human rights domain. The center embraces a dual mission: to educate students and the next generation of leaders from around the world in human rights policy and practice; and to convene and provide policy-relevant knowledge to international organizations, governments, policymakers, and businesses.

About the Carr-Ryan Center

Since its founding in 1999, the Carr-Ryan Center has dedicated the last quarter-century to human rights policy.

Applications close February 22, 2026.
Apply now for 2026-27 Carr-Ryan Center fellowship programs!
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Events
Book Talk: Fear and Fury at the Harvard Book Store with Heather Ann Thompson
Wednesday, February 18, 2026 | 07:00PM
Book Talk: Fear and Fury at the Harvard Book Store with Heather Ann Thompson
Thursday, February 19, 2026 | 12:00PM
Examining Rising Repression in East Africa - Kenya: The Decline of a Sanctuary
Monday, February 23, 2026 | 12:00PM
Rights from Below: A Critical Look at Theory & Praxis of Human Rights(Session 1)
Wednesday, February 25, 2026 | 12:00PM
Rights from Below: A Critical Look at Theory & Praxis of Human Rights(Session 2)
Monday, March 2, 2026 | 12:00PM
Rights from Below: A Critical Look at Theory & Praxis of Human Rights(Session 3)
Wednesday, March 4, 2026 | 12:00PM
Rights from Below: A Critical Look at Theory & Praxis of Human Rights(Session 4)
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News and Announcements
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Carr-Ryan Commentary
Full blog
“The Carr-Ryan Center is building a bridge between ideas on human rights and the practice on the ground—and right now we’re at a critical juncture around the world.”
Mathias Risse, Faculty Director
Globe
Justice Matters Podcast
 

Advocating for Prisoners of Conscience

Judith Abitan talks about her work in fighting for the freedom of political prisoners in entrenched systems of oppression.


 

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The Future of Tibet

Lobsang Sangay - political leader of the Tibetan administration in exile from 2011 to 2021 - talks about Tibet’s future.

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Attacks on Education Around the Globe

Lisa Chung Bender, Siraj Khan, and Jerome Marston talk about attacks on education going on around the world.

 

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Human Rights Day 2025: Rethinking Rights for a New Era

The Carr-Ryan Center's Human Rights and U.S. Foreign Policy Fellows to share their perspectives on why human rights still matter and why they may be more important now than at any point in the 77 years since the Universal Declaration of Human Rights was adopted.
 

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How Alaskan Communities are Meeting the Climate Crisis

Robin Bronen, co-founder of the Alaska Institute for Justice (AIJ) about the pressing effects of climate change on communities in Alaska - the fastest warming region in the United States - and the implications for human rights.

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The Impact of Anti-DEI Legislation

Antonio Ingram II, Senior Counsel at the Legal Defense Fund, speaks about the impact of anti-diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) legislation on educational equity and political participation.

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Holding World Leaders Accountable

Eboe-Osuji discusses his new book, “End of Immunity: Holding World Leaders Accountable for Aggression, Genocide, War Crimes, and Crimes against Humanity.”

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Governing Ireland Through Transformational Change

Leo Varadkar, the former Prime Minister of Ireland discusses contemporary human rights and global democracy on the occasion of his new memoir. 

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See All Justice Matters Episodes

View and listen to all of the Justice Matters podcast episodes in one place.

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