Welcome to the HRC Resource Catalog
The Resource Catalog was created as part of the Human Rights Training Program. This interdisciplinary hub aims to enhance student learning in the field of human rights. It aims to support faculty members and students by providing academic materials on human rights topics to supplement their courses and learning beyond their own areas of expertise.
The Catalog contains various online resources, including video excerpts from discussion panels, news articles, and documents on human rights topics like academic freedom, media monitoring, and environmental rights. Faculty members can survey the Catalog and include any applicable resources as supplementary materials in their courses. Moreover, students interested in human rights can explore the Catalog in order to strengthen their learning outside of the classroom.
Using the HRC Resource Catalog
The Resource Catalog is open and available to anyone via Canvas Catalog. Explore the table below to find your desired resource!
| Topic | Resource Title | Key Words | Description | Type | Source | Link |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Academic Freedom | Understanding Academic Freedom: What Is Academic Freedom? | Academic freedom, Law, Legal framework, University, Education, Expression, Rights, Freedom of Speech, International treaty | A video excerpt from a discussion panel on academic freedom and the law focusing on understanding academic freedom, particularly from a legal perspective. | Video clip | Academic Freedom and the Law: Panel Discussion | Click to watch |
| Academic Freedom | The Different Conceptualizations of Academic Freedom | Academic freedom, Law, Conceptualization, Definition, Debate, Public good, Rights, Freedom of Speech, Scholars at Risk, The State, University, Student, Faculty | A video excerpt from a discussion panel on academic freedom and the law explaining the different conceptualizations and definitions of academic freedom in relation to different cultures. | Video clip | Academic Freedom and the Law: Panel Discussion | Click to watch |
| Academic Freedom | The Moral and Legal Dimensions of Academic Freedom | Academic freedom, Morality, Legality, Discrimination, Education, Human rights, University, Diversity, Ideology, Censorship, Solidarity, Social movement | A video excerpt from a discussion panel on academic freedom and the law focusing on the moral and legal dimensions of academic freedom, with mention of discrimination in the academic sphere. | Video clip | Academic Freedom and the Law: Panel Discussion | Click to watch |
| Academic Freedom | Advice for Students on Advocating, Improving, and Protecting Academic Freedom | Academic freedom, Advocacy, Solidarity, Higher education, Student, University, Democracy, Human rights, Legal protection, Social media | A video excerpt from a discussion panel on academic freedom and the law highlighting how young students can advocate for and protect academic freedom using legal mechanisms or advocacy tools. | Video clip | Academic Freedom and the Law: Panel Discussion | Click to watch |
| Academic Freedom and Human Rights | An Overview of Higher Education in Belarus | Academic freedom, Belarus, University, Students, Research | A video excerpt from Alena Buinskaya's talk outlining the structure of higher education in Belarus. | Video clip | Academic Freedom in Belarus by Alena Buinskaya | Click to watch |
| Academic Freedom and Human Rights | The State of Academic Freedom in Belarus Today | Academic freedom, Belarus, Government control, Discrimination, Censorship | A video excerpt from Alena Buinskaya's talk discussing the extent to which the Belarusian state influences higher education. | Video clip | Academic Freedom in Belarus by Alena Buinskaya | Click to watch |
| Academic Freedom and Human Rights | 2020 Pro-Democracy Protests and the Aftermath in Belarus | Academic freedom, Belarus, Elections, Protests, Lukashenko, Police brutality | A video excerpt from Alena Buinskaya's talk describing the events of the 2020 re-election of Lukashenko and the ensuing protests following concerns over the legitimacy of the election. | Video clip | Academic Freedom in Belarus by Alena Buinskaya | Click to watch |
| Academic Freedom and Human Rights | Crackdowns on Belarusian Students and Faculty since 2020 | Academic freedom, Belarus, Repression, Criminal lawsuits, Detentions, Police | A video excerpt from Alena Buinskaya's talk analyzing the repression, detention, and lawsuits students and faculty face following the 2020 protests. | Video clip | Academic Freedom in Belarus by Alena Buinskaya | Click to watch |
| Academic Freedom | Balancing Academic Freedom with other Core Values of Higher Education | Academic freedom, Higher education, Values, Accountability, Institutional autonomy, Social responsibility, Equitable access | A short video introducing and explaining the meaning of the five core higher education values, including academic freedom. | Video clip | Balancing Academic Freedom with other Core Values of Higher Education | Click to watch |
| Academic Freedom | The Two Views on Academic Freedom | Academic freedom, Views, Traditional, Socially engaged, University, International standards, Higher education values, Social responsibility, Academic conduct, Expression | A short video by the SAR network explaining and comparing the two views on academic freedom - the traditional and socially engaged models of academic freedom. | Video clip | Two Views on Academic Freedom - Traditional vs Socially Engaged Models | Click to watch |
| Academic Freedom | The 2020 UN Report on Academic Freedom | Academic freedom, Rights, Freedom of opinion and expression, Democracy, Academics, Academic institutions, Harassment, Repression, Human rights, Future, Research, Restriction, Law | A 23 page report focusing on the relation between academic freedom and democracy. It includes an executive summary, a table of contents, and recommendations for the future. | Document | 2020 United Nations Report on Academic Freedom | Click to read |
| Activating Advocacy | A Guide for Meeting With Your Government Representatives | Advocacy, Guide, Tips, Government, Politics, Human rights, Social justice | A handout containing a step-by-step guide and tips for meeting with your government representative—more specifically, your MP. | Document | Don Wright (Amnesty International) for the HRC's Human Rights Advocacy 101 Workshop | Click to read |
| Activating Advocacy | Tips on Calling Your Government Representatives | Advocacy, Tips, Government, Politics, Human rights, Calling, Social justice, Phone banking | A handout containing tips for calling your government representative. | Document | Calling your MP (Citizens for Public Justice - cpj.ca) | Click to read |
| Activating Advocacy | A Step-by-Step Guide to Letter Writing | Advocacy, Guide, Tips, Government, Politics, Human rights, Social justice, Letter-writing | A handout containing a step-by-step guide and tips on letter writing to demand change from your government representatives. It includes a sample letter for your reference. | Document | Don Wright (Amnesty International) for the HRC’s Human Rights Advocacy 101 Workshop and Write for Rights (Amnesty International) | Click to read |
| Creative Arts and Human Rights | Introduction to Semiotics | Semiotics, Content, Analysis, Image capture, Impact | A video excerpt from a talk on image use and its implications focusing on introducing semiotics when it comes to image analysis. | Video clip | Through the Lens by Dr. Jenny Peterson | Click to watch |
| Creative Arts and Human Rights | Layer in Context: Content Analysis | Content analysis, Image, Symbols, Format, Emotion, Message | A video excerpt from a talk on image use and its implications focusing on the content analysis of images. | Video clip | Through the Lens by Dr. Jenny Peterson | Click to watch |
| Creative Arts and Human Rights | Applying Ethical Principles | Image use, Ethics, Ethical principles, Codes of conduct, Bond Report, Do No Harm, Cultural sensitivity | A video excerpt from a talk on image use and its implications focusing on the core ethical principles and key considerations of image use. | Video clip | Through the Lens by Dr. Jenny Peterson | Click to watch |
| Creative Arts and Human Rights | How Does Film Perpetuate Harmful Human Rights Stereotypes? | Creative Arts, Film, Portrayal, Human rights, Stereotypes, Analysis | UBC Professor David Brown provides his thoughts on the relationship between film and the presence of human rights stereotypes. | Video clip | (De)humanizing: Video lecture | Click to watch |
| Creative Arts and Human Rights | How Has Film Been Used for Human Rights Advocacy? | Creative Arts, Film, Cinema, Human Rights, Advocacy, Analysis, Brazil | UBC Professor Alessandra Santos discusses examples of human rights advocacy in Brazilian cinema. | Video clip | (De)humanizing: Video lecture | Click to watch |
| Critical Hope | Hope Informs Actions and Emerges Collectively | Critical Hope, Collective, Action, Reconciliation, Grief, Vulnerability, Environmental advocacy, City council, Future, Activism, Power, Capitalism, Testimonial | A video excerpt from a discussion panel on critical hope explaining how hope emerges from a collective desire for a better future, so that when hope narrows, the possibility of a better future narrows. | Video clip | Critical Hope in the public sphere: Panel discussion | Click to watch |
| Critical Hope | Hope ≠ Naiveté: How We Hope Reflects Our Past Lived Experiences | Critical Hope, Past experiences, Scholars at Risk, Civil war, Social progress, Democracy, Capitalism, Liberalism, Inequality, Naiveté, South Sudan | A video excerpt from a discussion panel on critical hope highlighting how the way we hope is a result of our past lived experiences; therefore, hope does not equal naiveté. | Video clip | Critical Hope in the public sphere: Panel discussion | Click to watch |
| Critical Hope | The Intersection between Anger and Hope Gives Way to Critical Hope | Critical hope, Principles of critical hope, History, Power, Feminism, Emotion, Anger, Scholars, Activists | A video excerpt from a discussion panel on critical hope explaining that the intersection between hope and anger gives birth to critical hope and listing the principles of critical hope. | Video clip | Critical Hope in the public sphere: Panel discussion | Click to watch |
| Critical Hope | Regaining Critical Hope despite Oppressive Forces | Critical hope, Direction, Oppression, Loss, Imprisonment, Right, Violation, Political prisoner, Testimonial, South Sudan | A video excerpt from a discussion panel on critical hope arguing that after people lose hope, they can regain critical hope, which has a better sense of direction. | Video clip | Critical Hope in the public sphere: Panel discussion | Click to watch |
| Critical Hope | Introduction to Structural Violence | Structural Violence, Liberal Change, Radical Change, Agent, Structure, Critical Hope | A handout providing a brief introduction to structural violence, key debates, critical hope, and possibilities for the future. | Document | On Structural Violence: Lecture by Dr. Shayna Plaut | Click to read |
| Data Visualization and Human Rights | The Importance of Data Visualization for Human Rights | Data visualization, Human rights, Data analysis, Data justice, Disaggregation, Colombia | A brief handout outlining the importance of data visualization and analysis for human rights work. | Document | The HRC's Getting Started with Data Visualization for Human Rights Workshop | Click to read |
| Data Visualization and Human Rights | Data Visualization and Human Rights: Important Questions and Considerations | Data visualization, Human rights, Representation, Gender, Sex, Race, Ethics, Incarceration, COVID-19, Colonial structures, Indigenous | A sample document containing an analysis of a few basic data visualizations from a human rights perspective, based on key questions outlined in Dr. Ola's workshop presentation. | Document | Dr. Kemi Ola for the HRC's Getting Started with Data Visualization for Human Rights Workshop | Click to read |
| Data Visualization and Human Rights | Data Visualization and Human Rights: Potential Hazards | Data visualization, Human rights, Axis manipulation, Truncation, Non-linearity, Colour, Distortion | A handout outlining potential data visualization hazards and their impact on various narratives and perspectives. | Document | Dr. Kemi Ola for the HRC's Getting Started with Data Visualization for Human Rights Workshop | Click to read |
| Data Visualization and Human Rights | Resource List for Data Visualization and Human Rights | Data visualization, Human rights, Graphs, Databases, Videos, Academic articles | A resource list with links to applications, videos, databases, and documents for students and staff interested in creating their own visualizations or learning more about human rights issues represented in data. | Document | Dr. Kemi Ola for the HRC's Getting Started with Data Visualization for Human Rights Workshop | Click to read |
| Human Rights and Regimes | Written guide to the OHCHR Database | Guide, OHCHR, Database, UN, Treaty, Charter, Report, Review, Ratification status | Audrea Wang provides an informative explanation of the OHCHR and how to navigate the site to find up-to-date documents and decisions. | Document | Audrea Wang and OHCHR website | Click to read |
| Human Rights and Regimes | Step-by-step video guide to the OHCHR Database | Guide, OHCR, Database, UN, Information, Research, Skills | Audrea Wang narrates a step-by-step guide to navigating the OHCHR database. | Video clip | Audrea Wang and OHCHR website | Click to watch |
| Human Rights and the Environment | The Traditional Human Rights Catalog and the Environment | Environment, Nature, Sustainability, Threats, Biodiversity, Right to life, Right to health, Ecosystem, Emissions, Energy transition | A video segment by Dr. Boyd outlining the three broad categories spurring change in international environmental policy. | Video clip | Human Rights and the Environment: Are Human Rights only about Humans? by Dr. David R. Boyd | Click to watch |
| Human Rights and the Environment | The Right to Live in a Healthy and Sustainable Environment | Environment, Right to a healthy environment, Stockholm declaration, Legal recognition, Prevention, Precaution, Equality, Non-discrimination | Dr. Boyd outlines the importance of the second category and discusses past domestic and international initiatives to implement this principle. | Video clip | Human Rights and the Environment: Are Human Rights only about Humans? by Dr. David R. Boyd | Click to watch |
| Human Rights and the Environment | The Recognition of the Rights of Nature | Environment, Rights of nature, Property, Law, Ecuador, Bolivia, Colombia, New Zealand, Reconciliation | Dr. Boyd shares his thoughts on the final emerging category recognizing the rights of nature before providing a brief summary of his presentation. | Video clip | Human Rights and the Environment: Are Human Rights only about Humans? by Dr. David R. Boyd | Click to watch |
| Media Monitoring | Understanding Media Monitoring: What is Media Monitoring? | Media monitoring, Intelligence, Information cycle, Surveillance, Knowledge, Data, News | A short presentation slide deck containing key information on media monitoring, including a description of media monitoring, the information cycle, and a guide on getting intelligence. | PPT slides | ORICE Briefing Presentation: What is media monitoring? | Click to view |
| Media Monitoring | Media Monitoring in Human Rights Work | Media monitoring, Information scanning, Media reports, Human rights work, NGO, Legal proceedings, Accountability, "Bearing witness," Abuse, Truth | A video excerpt from a talk by Dr. Jenny Peterson on why media monitoring is so important in human rights work, including why NGOs opt to rigorously invest time into media monitoring. | Video clip | Media Monitoring: A Brief Introduction: Panel lecture by Dr. Jenny Peterson | Click to watch |
| Media Monitoring | A Guide to Searching on Factiva and Nexis Uni | Media monitoring, Research, Information scanning, Online searching, Research platforms, Factiva, Nexis Uni | A video excerpt from a media monitoring guide by Joe Melanson on searching for information on different research platforms, such as Factiva and Nexis Uni. | Video clip | Media Monitoring: Training by Joe Melanson UBC Librarian | Click to watch |
| Media Monitoring | A Guide to General Web Searching | Media monitoring, Research, Information scanning, Online searching, General web, Key words | A video excerpt from a media monitoring guide by Joe Melanson on tips and tricks to searching for information on the general web. | Video clip | Media Monitoring: Training by Joe Melanson UBC Librarian | Click to watch |
| Media Monitoring | How Can Students Best Use Media for Human Rights Advocacy? | Media, Social media, Advocacy, Students | A video excerpt from a panel discussion featuring UBC Professors Dr. Klein and Dr. Le Billon on the role of media and student advocacy in human rights work. | Video clip | The Role of Media: Panel discussion with Prof. Klein and Prof. Le Billon | Click to watch |
| Media Monitoring | What Journalistic and Academic Principles Address the Concept of “Do No Harm”? | Do No Harm, Journalism, Journalists, Academia, Academics, Ethics, Principles, Legal privileges | Dr. Klein and Dr. Le Billon discuss how academics and journalists approach the principle of "Do No Harm" and its ramifications for student advocacy. | Video clip | The Role of Media: Panel discussion with Prof. Klein and Prof. Le Billon | Click to watch |
| Media Monitoring | Where and What are the Intersections Between Journalism and Academia? | Journalism, Academia, Media, Reporting, Collaboration, Students, | The panelists share their thoughts on the areas of overlap and divergence between journalism and academia. How should student activists approach these areas in the context of human rights advocacy? | Video clip | The Role of Media: Panel discussion with Prof. Klein and Prof. Le Billon | Click to watch |
| Policy Analysis | A General Guide to Policy Analysis | Policy analysis, Guide, Government, Global, Issue, Problem, Structuring, Assessing, Writing | A handout containing a general guide to policy analysis; focusing on defining the problem, assessing risks, building alternatives, and presenting findings. | Document | Dr. Grace Jaramillo for the HRC's Policy Analysis Workshop | Click to view |
| Policy Analysis | A Guide and Activity on Problem Structuring | Policy analysis, Guide, Activity, Global, Issue, Problem, Structuring, Assessing, Writing | An instructive activity guiding the student through the process of defining and structuring a problem or issue. | Document | Dr. Grace Jaramillo for the HRC's Policy Analysis Workshop | Click to view |
| Policy Analysis | A Guide and Activity on Theory of Change | Policy analysis, Guide, Activity, Issue, Problem, Solution, Pathways, Theory of Change, Policy alternatives, Template | An instructive activity guiding the student through the Theory of Change technique. This activity will help the student clarify their priorities by defining their goals and possible pathways. | Document | Dr. Grace Jaramillo for the HRC's Policy Analysis Workshop | Click to view |
| Policy Analysis | A General Guide to Policy Writing | Policy analysis, Guide, Tips, Policy alternatives, Policy brief, Policy issue paper, Policy memo | A handout containing a general guide to presenting policy alternatives; including tips and recommendations on policy writing. | Document | Dr. Grace Jaramillo for the HRC's Policy Analysis Workshop | Click to view |
| Scholars at Risk | Introducing the Scholars at Risk Organization | Academic freedom, Scholars at Risk, Organization, Work, Functions, Aid, Violation, Testimonial, Education | A short video by the Scholars at Risk organization introducing its functions and work, as well as introducing some of the at-risk scholars it has aided. | Video clip | Introducing Scholars at Risk | Click to watch |
| Scholars at Risk | The 2021 Free to Think Annual Report by Scholars at Risk | Academic freedom, Scholars at Risk, Higher education communities, International reporting, Attack, Development, Vulnerability, Awareness, Accountability | A 100+ page report by the Scholars at Risk organization detailing its recent work and findings. It includes an executive summary and table of contents. | Document | Scholars at Risk: Free to Think Annual Report 2021 | Click to read |
| Scholars at Risk | Free to Think podcast | Academic freedom, Free to Think, Scholars at Risk, International, Attack, Rights, Violation, Power, Idea, Expression, Testimony | A list of 30+ episodes of the "Free to Think" podcast, each focusing on a specific area or case study regarding academic freedom around the world. | Podcast | SAR's Free to Think Podcast | Click to listen |
| Scholars at Risk | Recent Incidents Concerning Academic Freedom Monitored by SAR | Academic freedom, Scholars at Risk, News, Recent, Incident, Violation, Abuse, Imprisonment, Prosecution, Execution | This Scholars at Risk website page provides details on current academic freedom statistics, including the prosecution and imprisonment of academics worldwide, as well as case studies. | News article | Recent SAR media monitoring incidents/reports | Click to view |
| Systems Thinking | Introducing and Defining “Systems Thinking” | Systems thinking, Definition, Knowledge, Organizing, Interacting parts, Conceptualization | A short video introducing and defining the concept of "systems thinking." | Video clip | Introduction to systems thinking: Video lecture | Click to watch |
| Systems Thinking | Introducing the “Systems Iceberg” | Systems thinking, Systems iceberg, Organizing, Interacting parts, Conceptualization | A short video introducing and explaining the concept of "systems iceberg." | Video clip | Introduction to systems thinking: Video lecture | Click to watch |
| Systems Thinking | Explaining the Causal Loop Diagram | Systems thinking, Causal loop diagram, Organizing, Interacting parts, Conceptualization | A short video illustrating and explaining a causal loop diagram. | Video clip | Introduction to systems thinking: Video lecture | Click to watch |
| Systems Thinking | Applying the Systems Lens to Rural Water Service Delivery | Systems thinking, Water rights, Circular causality, Kenya, Community management, Rural water service | A handout with a brief background on water as a human right as well as lessons from Dr. Chintalapati's experience applying a systems thinking lens to improving water service delivery in rural Kenya. | Document | Dr. Pranav Chintalapati's guest lecture for PPGA 391A | Click to read |
| Trauma and Advocacy | Correlating Human Rights Work to Mental Health Concerns | Trauma, Advocacy, Human rights work, Mental health, Stress, Correlation, Effect, Exposure, Study, Human rights defenders | A video excerpt from a talk on vicarious trauma and resilient advocacy outlining the presumed correlation between mental health concerns and exposure to trauma as a part of human rights work. | Video clip | Human Rights Training by Dr. Brown: Vicarious Trauma and Resilient Advocacy | Click to watch |
| Trauma and Advocacy | Findings on the Study of Human Rights Defenders and Their Mental Health | Trauma, Advocacy, Human rights work, Mental health, Key findings, Human rights defenders | A video excerpt from a talk on vicarious trauma and resilient advocacy explaining the key findings of a study on human rights defenders and their mental health. | Video clip | Human rights training by Dr. Brown: Vicarious trauma and resilient advocacy | Click to watch |
| Trauma and Advocacy | Presenting Organizational Strategies to Support Wellbeing | Trauma, Advocacy, Human rights work, Mental health, Organization, Strategies, Human rights defenders, Support, Wellbeing | A video excerpt from a talk on vicarious trauma and resilient advocacy highlighting different strategies that organizations can use to build a greater capacity to support workers' wellbeing. | Video clip | Human rights training by Dr. Brown: Vicarious trauma and resilient advocacy | Click to watch |