This workshop will explore the use of film to raise awareness about Female Genital Mutilation (FGM). The workshop will begin by screening the film SIRA, which tells the story of a young girl who resists FGM and mobilizes her community to end the practice. SIRA is a film on Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) that was produced by RebelVZN and STS Pictures, with support from UNFPA The Gambia. Following the screening, we will explore the first-hand experiences of young African filmmakers who are telling stories that depict the African narrative from a more nuanced angle, balancing the positive with the harmful and presenting a more accurate depiction of our realities in our own languages.

View the trailer and other resources.

Designed for undergraduate and graduate students, this immersive human rights workshop will help participants deepen their understanding of global justice issues and develop practical and analytical skills to integrate social justice and equality into their future professional life. Hands-on activities in a safe and inclusive environment will offer insight into (and practice with) applying a human rights framework to any professional context, with special emphasis on careers in engineering, design, human rights, social services, education, community development, and sustainability.

By thoughtfully integrating reflection on difference and positionality, deconstructing attitudes based on privilege, and approaching encounters with equity, accountability, and access in mind, this workshop is a catalyst for self-awareness and informed action. Participants will engage in thought-provoking discussions, interactive activities, and brief explorations that lay the foundation for deeper understanding to navigate complex challenges of human rights in practice.

Academic research frequently speaks to current events and ongoing issues, from political protests and election events to climate change. Yet, the media often ignores academic expertise, and paywalled academic journals are inaccessible to most policy makers and the general public. How can university researchers effectively communicate our findings and ideas to audiences outside the academy? How do we ensure that our research is taken into account in public policy making processes?

This workshop highlights strategies for academics who wish to engage with broad audiences of politicians, policy professionals, and general audiences. In the first part of the workshop, we will discuss effective strategies for topic identification, media outlet selection, accessible writing, and pitching to editors, from writing analytical blog posts to developing opinion-editorial pieces and policy papers. In the second part of the workshop, participants will each prepare a draft analytical blog post or op-ed and receive real-time feedback from the group. Participants are encouraged to come to the workshop with a topic they would like to write about in mind, such as a recently or soon to be published article, research findings, or informed observations relevant to a current event.

This session is intended for local residents, community leaders, advocates and activists who are working to bring about positive change in Dayton. What did we learn over the past three days and how does it apply to our work to improve human rights in Dayton, Ohio? Tony Talbott of the HRC will lead an informal conversation circle where we can discuss the insights gained and the questions raised by our interactions with each other and the many, diverse and accomplished scholars and practitioners present in the SPHR space. How can the knowledge and experiences they shared help us in our local advocacy work? Notes from the discussion will be shared with the participants.