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The University of Law launches Human Rights and Technology Research Clinic with leading partners

The University of Law’s online campus has unveiled an exciting new pro bono initiative, the Human Rights and Technology Research Clinic, developed in partnership with Privacy International and Deighton Pierce Glynn. This groundbreaking project allows students to engage in leading research at the intersection of technology and human rights, exploring pressing legal and ethical issues.

In an innovative project, 17 students have been tasked with supporting leading technology NGO, Privacy International, in examining how emerging technologies are being used by corporations and public authorities, potential human rights implications and possible data protection violations. Students will conduct in-depth research, gather crucial information, analyse legal implications and will be asked to present their findings at the end of the clinic.

Top human rights law firm, Deighton Pierce Glynn is also supporting the clinic. The firm is helping students navigate the public law implications of their research and fostering a deeper understanding on how technology-driven decisions can impact individuals and communities.  

The clinic not only offers students an opportunity to apply their academic knowledge to real-world challenges but also empowers them to contribute to meaningful work in collaboration with experts. In researching how technological advancements interact with legal frameworks, students will assist partner organisations in addressing critical issues and developing solutions. Moving forward, the clinic is expected to become a platform where organisations can collaborate with students on future challenges. 

Alice Stevens, Pro Bono Coordinator and Supervising Solicitor for the online campus, who is supervising the clinic said:

“I’m really excited we’ve teamed up with two leading experts in the field of human rights and technology to give our students the chance to work on real issues, impacting everyday citizens. 

"Technology is developing rapidly and it is crucial that we ensure that as well as encouraging innovation, our legal rights are properly protected and new technology is critically examined.

"NGOs often have limited capacity to explore all the topics they are concerned about, and our students will add value and capacity to organisations focusing on human rights and technology.”

Jonah Mendelsohn, Legal Officer and Solicitor at Privacy International, who is supporting the clinic said:

“Initiatives like this are ever more important in helping us to shed light on and expose harms stemming from black-box technologies. Exploitative technologies can only be effectively challenged and understood by examining diverse legal frameworks and harnessing multiple and intersecting areas of expertise. We hope that this project can be a forum for this vital work to take place and to inspire similar collaborations in the future.”

Polly Glynn, Director at Deighton Pierce Glynn, who is supporting the clinic said:

“Badly designed automated decision-making tools, unchecked AI and unthinking data sharing processes are hugely detrimental for our clients and for society at large. This project will use the expertise and enthusiasm of students to examine what the effects of these technologies can be. As human rights and civil liberties lawyers, we are hugely excited to be involved in this project and to see where it will lead.”