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SUMMARY:CGHR Research Group: &quot\;Digital Media as Experimental Governan
 ce: Shifting the Accountability Paradigm in International Human Rights?&qu
 ot\; - Matthew S. Mahmoudi (University of Cambridge)\; Discussant: Dr. Sri
 nivasan
DTSTART:20161128T130000Z
DTEND:20161128T140000Z
UID:TALK69224@talks.cam.ac.uk
CONTACT:Babak Mohammadzadeh
DESCRIPTION:New ways of reporting violations using mobile applications pro
 mises democratisation and empowerment for ordinary civilians\, prompting a
  critical inquiry into the political implications of these tools on existi
 ng modes of governance. Our research answers the question: do experimental
 \, digital technology forms of human rights governance present a more effe
 ctive mechanism for accountability than inter-governmental organizations?\
 nThe first part of our project will demonstrate that the United Nations fr
 amework for human rights governance is flawed by design on three accounts:
  it is unable to bypass the monolith of sovereignty to discipline states\;
  too under-resourced to establish National Human Rights Institutions\; nam
 ing and shaming is impeded by geopolitical interests of strong states. The
  rise of digital media platforms designed for reporting human rights viola
 tions has been scrutinised by predominantly sociologists and practitioners
 \, in their potential to generate accountability. The second part of this 
 project collates this research to develop a framework for understanding th
 e stages and mechanisms of this form of "experimental" governance. Finally
 \, the political implications are examined\, using the case studies\, Came
 raV and eyeWitness to Atrocities. By testing these digital initiatives aga
 inst the shortcomings of IGO-based governance\, we can determine whether t
 hey transcend or perpetuate conventional problems.\n\nThe University of Ca
 mbridge Centre of Governance and Human Rights Research Group is a forum fo
 r graduate students and early-career researchers from any department and d
 isciplinary background researching issues of governance and human rights i
 n the global\, regional\, and national contexts. This is an excellent oppo
 rtunity to receive cross-disciplinary feedback\, to produce a published CG
 HR Working Paper with editorial help\, and to meet and network with studen
 t and academic researchers.\n\n\nThe CGHR Research Group meets every first
  Monday of the month from 1 to 2pm in the Alison Richard Building\, Depart
 ment of Politics and International Studies (7 West Road). Participants may
  bring their lunch\, and tea and coffee will be provided after the seminar
 . The aim is to facilitate an exchange between younger and more establishe
 d researchers\, offering a forum for the development of new and innovative
  ideas\, constructive criticism and stimulating debate. Each month\, one p
 aper will be presented\, and detailed feedback will be provided by a discu
 ssant (an established researcher\, to be arranged by the Convenor) before 
 opening up for a wider exchange. Presenters will be encouraged to incorpor
 ate feedback into a revised document\, for possible publication as a CGHR 
 Working Paper.
LOCATION:Room 138\, Alison Richard Building\, Sidgwick Site\, 7 West Rd\, 
 CB3 9DT
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