Human Rights and the Visual:

Academic scholars often face the challenge of reaching broader, non-academic audiences to achieve meaningful societal impact and engage various stakeholders. This event showcases an innovative example of how scholarly work can transcend traditional academic boundaries. We are pleased to present the work of Prof. Maja Janmyr, a distinguished Professor of International Migration Law at the University of Oslo's Faculty of Law, who has successfully transformed her research on refugees in Lebanon into an accessible and impactful artistic medium. The graphic novel conveys an immediate understanding of the struggles faced by refugees in non-European context such as in Lebanon and help move away from a solely European gaze to issues such as asylum and migration.

Prof. Janmyr will share her inspiring journey of converting rigorous academic research into the engaging format of a graphic novel, thereby broadening the reach and impact of her work. The event will feature an exhibition of the artwork, providing a visual representation of her research, followed by an interactive discussion with Prof. Janmyr, a short intervention of dr. Mieke Kox and the Q&A with the audience. 

This event is co-organized by Siobhan Airey, Amr Marzouk, Federica Violi (ESL), Janna Wessels (VU), and is sponsored by the Netherlands Network for Human Rights Research.

Come to learn, reflect, and discuss - together!  

Visual Arts are a prime site for interpreting and articulating the human and social interactions that constitute the 'law' and its implementation. As such, they (can) serve as an immediate and effective tool to depict, unveil, and expose power dynamics in societal interactions; how the ‘law’ includes and excludes, what facts of life are made legal or illegal. Visuality serves as a rigorous tool for critiquing and expressing societal demands for justice, and advocate for change, across many different fields, from humanitarian to investment law. Stay tuned for the next screenings!