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Meet Taster Presenter Freya and hear all about her chosen topic focusing on human rights
Stand up for justice and explore the ongoing fight for human rights. Understand the meaning of rights and freedoms, examine global threats to human dignity, and discover how laws shape societies. Learn how grassroots advocacy, litigation, and education are key tools for individuals and communities working to protect and expand rights in a rapidly changing world.
For students interested in: Law; Political Science; Human Rights; Social Justice; Sociology; Economics
Meet your Presenter: Freya!
Where did you grow up?
Having moved around as a child, I’m grateful to call multiple places “home”. I’m originally from the valleys of South Wales, but also spent time growing up in the USA (New York and Massachusetts).
Where did you do your undergraduate degree? What did you study?
I am UCL through and through! I did both my undergraduate and postgraduate degrees at UCL’s School of Slavonic & East European Studies (SSEES). I received my BA in History, Politics, and Economics and my MA in Russian and Post-Soviet politics
What are you currently studying and what is your specific area of research?
I’m currently in the 2nd year of my PhD programme. My research focuses on human rights, justice, and the experiences of minorities in Central, Eastern Europe, and Russia. My previous research has involved exploring the impact of anti-discrimination laws in improving equality for LGBTQ+ Poles and Hungarians and documenting the experiences of LGBTQ+ Ukrainian migrants fleeing Russia’s ongoing invasion. For my current research, I am conducting interviews with LGBTQ+ people who, in response to having experienced human rights violations, submitted their cases to the European Court of Human Rights (ECtHR). I am exploring how their cases influence their perceptions of social change and justice.
What are your favourite things about being a university student?
The people and the sense of community! With over 50,000 students from 150+ nationalities, UCL offers incredible opportunities to meet people from all over the world. There are so many ways to meet people at university including through your classes, department, and the Student’s Union which at UCL has over 300 extracurricular student societies (everything from sports teams to arts programmes and cultural groups). I think there is really something for everyone at university!
Do you know what you want to do when you finish your degree?
I chose to attend university because I wanted to gain knowledge that could contribute to making the world a better place. My research reflects this goal, and I intend to use the expertise I develop at UCL to help protect human rights and promote justice. Collaborating with civil society organizations and NGOs allows me to apply what I’ve learned to support their efforts and drive meaningful change. This is the kind of work I aspire to do even more of in the future. One of the best things about university is its potential to equip you with the tools to make a real impact and empower others along the way.
What are you most excited about for UCL Expand?
What excites me most about UCL Expand is the opportunity to share my passion for my topic. Human rights is a term we hear often, but what does it really mean? What rights do we truly have, how can we recognize when they’re under threat, and how do people mobilize to defend and expand them? I’m looking forward to providing students with analytical frameworks to better understand these questions and make sense of the challenges we see in the world today. By deepening our awareness of global issues and emphasizing the power of collective action, we can inspire solidarity and show how working together can drive meaningful change.
Tell us a random fact about you.
Some of my hobbies include playing baseball, tap dancing, and doing various arts & crafts.
If you had a superpower, what would it be?
Teleport! As I get older and my friends and family become more dispersed geographically, I would love to be able to instantly visit them and spend more time together.
What's your favourite meal?
I am a proper foodie! Being both British and American I love a classic Sunday roast and also a nice afternoon BBQ with my friends. I’m also a big dessert person: cheesecake, brownies, apple crumble, ice cream sundaes… the list is really endless.
Supplementary Resource List
Below you can find resources that will give you an introduction to 'Fight for Your Rights'. These resources are optional and for you to browse at your leisure.
- An Introduction to Human Rights
A comprehensive manual by COMPASS which provides an introduction to the topic of Human Rights. Read Chapter 1 for a useful overview of key terminology.
- The European Court of Human Rights: Questions & Answers
A question and answer booklet designed by the European Court of Human Rights, giving an overview of the court's role and responsibilities.
- The Dangerous Rise of Populism
A thought-provoking speech by Kenneth Roth - former Executive Director of Human Rights Watch - about populism and its impact on human rights globally.
- How can we place human rights at the heart of our actions?
An engaging TEDx talk by Michael O'Flaherty - former Director of the EU Agency for Fundamental Rights - discussing what we can do to renew the centrality of human rights in the current climate.
- Further reading
If you are keen to learn more about the topic of Human Rights in your spare time, Freya recommends the following books to get you started:
Ewick, P. and Sibley, S.S. (1998) The Common Place of Law: Stories from Everyday Life. University of Chicago Press.
Anagnostou, D. (2014) Rights and Courts in Pursuit of Social Change: Legal Mobilisation in the Multi-Level European System. London: Hart Publishing
Duffy, H. (2018) Strategic Human Rights Litigation: Understanding and Maximising Impact. Hart Publishing.
Kleeman, S. (2020) Human Rights Defenders under Pressure ‘Shrinking Space’ in Civil Society. Baden-Baden: Tectum Verlag.