Melisa Oleschuk

Thesis title:

Utilising International Human Rights Law to Promote Civil Liberties in the US: A Case Study on the UN Universal Periodic Review and the American Civil Liberties Union's Campaign for Smart Justice

Research Area

Human Rights
Law and Legal Studies

Conferences

Research Seminar (November 2023)

Birmingham City University, Birmingham, United Kingdom

I delivered a 30-minute presentation titled: "Barriers and Importance of Civil Society Engagement in the Universal Periodic Review: A Case Study of the United States" in which I discussed the state of civil society in the US and the barriers that exist to its engagement with the UN's Universal Periodic Review (UPR). I delivered conclusions based on my initial data analysis. The recording and full abstract of the session can be found here.

Association of Human Rights Institutes (AHRI) International Conference (September 2023)

Pedro Arrupe Institute of Human Rights of the University of Deusto, Bilbao, Spain

I delivered a paper that highlighted the constraints and boundaries faced by US-based civil society organisations when advocating during the Universal Periodic Review (UPR). Additionally, I emphasised the significance of empowering these organisations on a global scale to enhance their impact.

Critical Research PGR Conference (July 2023)

York St John University, York, United Kingdom

I presented a paper showcasing my innovative methodology for comprehending how Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) communicate human rights standards, with a specific focus on criminal justice matters, in both domestic and international contexts. During the presentation, I also shared some preliminary findings from my data collection, offering a glimpse into the exciting potential of my research.

West Midlands Legal Doctoral Network PGR Conference (May 2023)

Aston University, Birmingham, United Kingdom

During my presentation, I introduced a paper along with a poster, unveiling my newly developed methodology aimed at investigating the communication strategies employed by Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) when addressing the Universal Periodic Review (UPR) compared to their domestic messaging. This innovative approach takes into account fundamental human rights principles and well-established theoretical models of CSO practices, paving the way for insightful research into the subject.

Socio-Legal Studies Association PGR Conference (January 2023)

Oxford University, Oxford, United Kingdom

During a stimulating two-day conference, I actively engaged in numerous workshops focused on essential skills for Postgraduate Researchers. The workshops covered various topics, including poster design, research ethics, publishing, and more, providing valuable insights to enhance our capabilities in our academic journeys.

Research Seminar (December 2022)

Birmingham City University, Birmingham, United Kingdom

In an online research seminar, I presented the context of my research by establishing a comprehensive timeline of the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU). Through this timeline, I introduced my unique era structure, which divided the ACLU's history into three distinct 'eras' of operation, specifically focused on its utilisation of international human rights law, with supporting evidence from their activities and notable cases. During the seminar, I also briefly discussed the Campaign for Smart Justice and shed light on the history of mass incarceration.

Public Engagement & Impact

61st United Nations Graduate Study Programme, United Nations, Geneva, Switzerland (July 2023)

I had the honour of being selected as one of the 58 participants from 50 countries, out of a pool of over 800 candidates worldwide, and was fortunate to receive funding from M4C to support my trip. This opportunity led me to participate in an intensive two-week graduate program at the esteemed Palais des Nations in Geneva. During this programme, I had the privilege of engaging with human rights professionals from various fields and gaining valuable insights into career paths within the United Nations. Throughout the programme, we were immersed in thought-provoking discussions, had the chance to witness the United Nations' activities firsthand, as well as the unique opportunity to interact with influential figures, including High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türk and several state ambassadors. This experience significantly enriched my understanding of human rights.

Additionally, I was part of a smaller, dedicated working group assigned to prepare a report on Human-Centered Disarmament. This report will be disseminated by the United Nations Office for Disarmament Affairs to Member States, diplomats, and high-ranking military officials worldwide and with the potential of being presented to the Security Council in New York. In our report, we strategically deconstructed the prevailing 'national security' argument in defense of armament. Drawing on a comprehensive understanding of the diverse arguments opposing disarmament, we skillfully reconstructed a human-centered argument that highlighted the interplay between disarmament, human rights, and the Sustainable Development Goals. This endeavour allowed us to contribute meaningfully to the promotion of a safer and more rights-oriented world. You can check out our collective report here.

Other Research Interests

Human Rights
Women's rights
Reproductive rights
Humanitarian law
Diplomacy
International relations
History
Children's rights
Sovereignty
Constitutional law
Immigration
Feminist bioethics
LGBTQ+ rights
The UN's Universal Periodic Review
Genocide
Civil society
Diction of the law/campaigns

Memberships

Student Member of the Socio-Legal Studies Association (SLSA)
Member of the Society of Legal Scholars (SLS)
Member of the British Institute of International and Comparative Law (BIICL)
Student Member of the UNAUK
Member of the UPR Academics Network
AMICUS
Human Rights Education Youth Network
Global Transformative Education Network (GTEN)

Education & Professional Training

EDUCATION

Midlands4Cities Funded PhD in Law, Birmingham City University (2021 - Present)
PGCert in Research Practice, Birmingham City University (september 2021 - January 2022)
LLM International Human Rights - With Distinction, Birmingham City University (2020-2021)
LLB Law - First Class (Hons), Birmingham City University (2017-2020)

PROFESSIONAL TRAINING

United Nations - 61st Graduate Study Programme (July 2023 - Geneva, Swtizerland)
Geneva Academy of International Humanitarian Law and Human Rights - Executive Course on the Universal Periodic Review and the UN Human Rights System: Raising the Bar on Accountability (November 2022 - Geneva, Switzerland)
Staff and Education Development Association - Introduction to Teaching in Higher Education (October 2022 - January 2023, Birmingham, United Kingdom)

Awards & Scholarships

Delivered the closing address at BCU's Business, Law, and Social Sciences Graduation Ceremony (2022)
Midlands4Cities Doctoral Training Partnership Award Holder (2022)
Partial (£3000) Post-Graduate Tuition Scholarship (2021)
Law of the EU Brussels Trip Scholarship (2020)