Human Rights in the Digital Age

Theme lead: Professor Ella McPherson 

CGHR’s Human Rights in the Digital Age theme addresses the emergent and rapidly evolving changes wrought to human rights practices and norms by the use of digital technologies. With respect to practices, this includes human rights fact-finding and advocacy; with respect to norms, this includes human rights related to communication, information, expression, privacy, assembly and association. 

The research and activities under this theme approach human rights from a communications perspective and, as such, are particularly concerned with pluralism and solidarity. Another core concept of the theme is risk, particularly risk governance around perceived threats to security and facticity.   

Praxis research in this theme includes academic startup, The Whistle, as well as the Digital Verification Corps and innovative, interactive tools such as the Social Life of Data experience, the Digital Human Rights Toolkit, and the chatbot providing information for asylum-seekers in the UK.  Empirical scholarship includes investigations of human rights fact-finding using digital tools, reimaginings of the practice of witnessing, and explorations of the digitally-mediated freedom of assembly.   

Research Project

Open Source Investigation for Academics

Research Project

Techno-Politics of Domination & Resistance: A Historical Approach

Research Project

Social Media and Radical Democratic Thought: Rethinking the Digital Public Sphere

News

01/05/26

Antoine’s research on #saccageparis receives attention amidst mayoral campaign

As the battle for Paris mayor raged in early 2026, Antoine’s research on local social movement #saccageparis received attention from several French media outlets.

Digital Verification Corps

DVC Michaelmas Report: Right to Protests in Türkiye

In this termly report, our newest investigators reflect on their first months with the team, offering a practical insight into the group’s investigative workflow in action.

Research Project

Algorithmic Governance and New-Generation Policing in India: The Changing Dynamics of Discretion, Autonomy and…