The University of Stirling Human Rights Journal (USHRJ) is the first of its kind in Scotland.

Highlighting human rights events, the journal showcases research by postgraduate and PhD students at Stirling, and practitioners in the sector and other institutions. It also provides students with real-world experience in journal management and academic publishing.

The first edition includes a paper by University of Stirling PhD student Emilia Vassiliades examining the legality and ethics of migration. Using the landmark EU-Turkey Agreement, which sought to limit the number of asylum seeker arrivals to European Union countries following the civil war in Syria, Emilia calls for migration policies and practices that empower people on the move with the freedom to choose their destination, and that account for the economic capacities of receiving countries.

Ms Vassiliades, also an editor on USHRJ, said: “In an increasingly hostile environment for human rights research and practice, dissenting voices must not only be heard but amplified. As a PhD student, I know that students and early career researchers are not just observers of these debates; they are active participants, disruptors and thinkers shaping the future. 

“As an editor, I am excited to highlight and support high-quality contributions that challenge injustices and advance human rights discourse.”

Dr Damian Etone, senior lecturer in law, said: “The mission of the University of Stirling Human Rights Journal is to provide a high-quality peer-reviewed journal that recognises students as researchers in their own right. They are tomorrow’s thought leaders and so it’s important for them to have a platform that shares their innovative ideas.”