Attend the Spring 2026 Rapoport Center Interdisciplinary Graduate Workshop in Human Rights and Social Justice

The Graduate Student Affiliates of the Rapoport Center for Human Rights and Justice are excited to invite UT-Austin graduate and professional students to participate in our Spring 2026 interdisciplinary workshop. This event provides a unique opportunity for students to receive substantive feedback on their scholarly work from peers and faculty working in other disciplines.

 

For discussion at the workshop, we welcome work-in-progress submissions related to human rights and justice (see below), including class papers, draft articles, thesis or dissertation chapters, and other scholarly projects aimed at refinement and publication.

Workshop Format:

Participants in the workshop will be allotted approximately 45 minutes for discussion of their paper. Participants are expected to engage with all papers. The discussion of each paper will be facilitated by another graduate student, using a peer presentation model, and each paper will receive a response from a UT faculty member. In matching each paper with a peer presenter and faculty respondent, the workshop organizers will prioritize interdisciplinary engagement and exchange.

 

The Rapoport Center’s approach to human rights and social justice is comprehensive, emphasizing interdisciplinary, critical analyses that engage with local, national, and transnational issues. For this workshop, we encourage submissions across all disciplines that engage with any aspect of human rights and social justice, especially those aligning with our thematic priorities: reproductive justice, environmental and climate justice, peace and nuclear disarmament, addressing inequality, and exploring the future of work.

 

Eligibility and Submissions:

All UT-Austin graduate and professional students (including, but not limited to, PhD students and candidates, MA/MS/MFA students, law students, and policy students) may apply to the workshop. Successful applicants will be invited to become graduate affiliates of the Rapoport Center. Participants must be able to attend the full workshop session (April 17, 2026 8:45 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.) at the University of Texas School of Law. Full attendance by participants is crucial for facilitating interdisciplinary exchange and ensuring that each participant benefits equally from the collective expertise and feedback of peers and faculty.

 

To apply:

Complete the Application Form, where you can

  • Upload your C.V.
  • Provide a title and an abstract of 250–400 words for your work in progress.
  • Briefly describe how your work in progress would benefit from interdisciplinary feedback.
  • Identify three UT faculty members outside your current advisory circle who could provide valuable feedback.

 

Applications to present at the workshop are due by Wednesday, February 25, 2026 at 11:59 p.m.

 

Paper Selection:

Authors of accepted papers will be notified the week of March 2, 2026. Authors must submit an excerpt of their paper (3,000-5,000 words) for circulation to workshop participants by Sunday, March 22, 2026, along with an abstract and short author’s note.

Any questions? Email the Student Organizing Committee at rapoport-center-workshop@utlists.utexas.edu.

 

Timeline:
Submission Deadline: Wednesday, February 25, 2026 at 11:59 p.m.
Notification of Acceptance: By Friday, March 6, 2026
Paper Excerpt Circulation: Sunday, March 22, 2026
Workshop Date: Friday, April 17, 2026

All Opportunities