Mission

The Institute for Human Rights at UAB serves as a platform for interdisciplinary interaction and collaboration for scholars, educators, students, practitioners, and advocates to raise awareness, engage in education, foster research, and design initiatives for practical action and outreach resulting in the promotion and protection of human and civil rights locally, nationally, and globally.

Our vision is to prepare, transform, and support the leaders of the global human rights community by creating innovative educational programs, research initiatives, and outreach solutions.

History

Approved as a university-wide institute in 2014, the Institute for Human Rights opened its door in the summer of 2016 with the arrival of its inaugural director, Dr. Tina Kempin Reuter. Since its inception, the Institute has grown to provide an academic framework for Birmingham’s human and civil rights activities and to connect the city's historical significance in the struggle for civil rights to national and international collaborative initiatives for human rights. IHR is housed in the College of Arts and Sciences in Heritage Hall 551.

Activities Statement

In line with its mission, the purpose of all IHR programs, activities, and endeavors is to serve as a platform for interdisciplinary interaction and collaboration for scholars, educators, students, practitioners, and advocates to raise awareness, engage in education, foster research, and design initiatives for practical action and outreach resulting in the promotion and protection of human and civil rights locally, nationally, and globally. Our programs, activities, and endeavors may present difficult, objectionable, or controversial topics for consideration, but will do so through an objective, scholarly lens designed to encourage critical thinking. Our programs, activities, and endeavors are open to anyone – all are welcome. No attendee or participant in our programs, activities, and endeavors will be required to assent or agree with any concept considered “divisive” under Alabama law, nor penalized for refusing to support or endorse such a concept. All participants and attendees are strongly encouraged to think independently and analytically about all material presented and express their views in a time, place, and manner, consistent with the basic tenets of civil discourse, mutual respect for all opinions, and in accordance with the University’s commitment to free and open thought, inquiry, and expressions.