The Human Rights Data Science Lab at James Madison College is an innovative undergraduate research project that bridges academic learning with critical global human rights work. Lab participants engage in policy-relevant research to investigate human rights violations and other crimes of international concern. Participating students:
- Use emerging technology to conduct policy-relevant research and collect data
- Analyze data to determine human rights violations in target countries
- Present findings to relevant stakeholders
- Enhance professional-development skills: data analysis and data visualization, remote sensing, data-based construction and social media analysis
- Gain real-world experience in national security and international affairs
LinkedIn Badge Program: Fall 2025 participants in the Human Rights Data Science Lab will be eligible to earn a digital badge to display on their LinkedIn profiles.
Research with Global Impact
Students working with the lab have presented their work to the International Criminal Court, Amnesty International, and other civil society and legal organizations. Recent work has focused on:
- Tracking human rights abuses in Libya and providing reports to the International Criminal Court
- Reports to TRIAL International’s Investigation into Libyan Gasoil Smuggling
- Building a global database of private military contractors
- A submission to the International Criminal Court to protect Rohingya Muslims against violence in Myanmar
"I have had the incredible opportunity to develop lifelong professional skills as well as work on projects that align with my interests in humanitarian aid." - Carson Perz, Human Rights Lab student leader
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Supporting Student Success
Led by James Madison College Prof. Robert Brathwaite and comprising 25-30 undergraduate students, the lab offers a unique educational model. Participants gain substantive research experience that prepares them for future academic and professional opportunities.
Alumni have successfully pursued graduate studies at top institutions like Georgetown Law, Columbia University and George Washington University, and secured positions with organizations such as the US State Department, Chicago Council on Global Affairs and USAID.
Support the Lab
Donations help the lab acquire the materials they need to assist in human rights investigations. Funds support the purchase of satellite imagery, ship transponder data and training resources for students.
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Student Lab Leaders
Mia Allen
Mia is a senior majoring in International Relations and minoring in Political Economy and Chinese. Outside of the lab, she works as a research assistant and as an intern with the Michigan House of Representatives. Mia joined the lab due to her interest in how data science can be applied in tracking human rights violations. She believes the lab is an incredible opportunity to advance career and academic hands-on experience.
Rachael Lee
Rachael is majoring in International Relations and Spanish with a minor in European Studies. In addition to the lab, she is involved in Cru at State and is a research assistant within JMC. Rachael joined the lab because of an interest in refining different research skills and to contribute to investigating human rights abuses. The lab has been a great place to meet new people and an incredible learning opportunity.
Carson Perz
Carson is a senior studying international relations and information science with a minor in Chinese. He has been involved with the Human Rights Lab since freshman year; he enjoys not only having the opportunity to develop real-world skills like data analysis and satellite imagery, but also the ability to help bring light to human rights violations occurring around the world.
Ashlin Stover
Ashlin is a junior majoring in International Relations with minors in Business and European Studies. In the lab, Ashlin has worked on projects documenting migrant detention centers and human trafficking in Libya, as well as investigating extrajudicial killings during Duterte’s war on drugs in the Philippines. She appreciates that the lab brings together students from diverse backgrounds into a community passionate about international justice.