The Business and Human Rights Initiative at UConn seeks to develop and support multidisciplinary research, education, and public engagement at the intersection of business and human rights. A partnership founded by Dodd Human Rights Impact Programs, the UConn School of Business, and the Gladstein Family Human Rights Institute, our initiative collaborates with programs and units throughout UConn.
From the U. Roberto (Robin) Romano Papers, Archives & Special Collections, University of Connecticut
Research
The Initiative supports and promotes scholarly research by UConn faculty in business and human rights. Reflecting the broad scope of the human rights challenges and opportunities in business, these research areas encompass:
Stakeholder Engagement
A Comparative Analysis of Stakeholder Dialogue Regimes
Key faculty: Shareen Hertel
Stakeholder dialogue emerged as a formal vehicle for promoting business and human rights in the early 2000s during the mandate of the UN Secretary-General’s Special Representative John G. Ruggie. This project assesses the on-the-ground impact of such processes, at the grassroots level. Through engagement with social movements, unions and consumer advocacy networks, the project fills critical scholarly and policy gaps by producing 1) more fine-grained data on the nature of corporate social impact; 2) a fuller picture of the terms of engagement between companies and communities (both in the context of formal consultative processes and in crisis situations); and 3) more comprehensive approaches to community-informed design and implementation of remedy for harm. This project intersects with the “Corporate Accountability Mechanisms” work stream of the BHRI – specifically, through mutual exploration of evolving legal frameworks for supply chain human rights due diligence – in this case, by analyzing community members’ perspectives on such emerging laws.
The Human Rights Implications of ESG and Sustainable Finance
Assessing the Human Rights Impact of Sustainable Finance Instruments
Key faculty: Stephen Park
Financial markets, including ESG strategies and financial products, have human rights implications for the protection of human rights and the fulfilment of specific human rights objectives. This research examines the objectives and impact of private standards, regulatory requirements, and international law governing sustainable finance from the perspective of human rights.
This research focuses on the responsibilities of social media platforms and the role of state regulation in regulating online speech. The research is also about the intersection of human rights and science and technology studies, considering the way in which the introduction of new technologies can undermine or strengthen the use of rights-based frameworks to achieve social change.
Accountability mechanisms in the business and human rights field comprises judicial and non-judicial remedy processes, and domestic laws requiring human rights disclosure and, increasingly, due diligence. This research explores these mechanisms. A common theme that links the threads of research is the challenge of employing extraterritorial accountability mechanisms to address corporate misconduct, in particular from the perspective of rightsholders.
As part of its mission of engaged research, the Initiative facilitates related public engagement by UConn faculty in order to bridge the gaps between academia, business, civil society, and government. In addition, we host the Business and Human Rights Workshop, which is dedicated to the development and discussion of works-in-progress and other non-published academic research.
Education
Business and human rights education equips students with the knowledge and skills to create value for business and society. The Initiative supports and promotes business and human rights learning both in and outside of the classroom by:
Social Responsibility and Accountability in Business
Sustainability, Markets, and Society
Politics and Human Rights in Global Supply Chains
Supporting and promoting student engagement through on-campus organizations and workshops.
Facilitating student internship and practicum course opportunities with corporations, civil society organizations, international organizations, and government agencies.
Advancing business and human rights education through national and international organizations. For example, faculty member Rachel Chambers serves as co-director of the Teaching Business and Human Rights Forum, an international organization dedicated to promoting and strengthening business and human rights education by fostering collaboration among teachers.
Public Engagement
To advance respect for human rights, UConn faculty engage with policymakers, businesses, advocates and other stakeholders to support student learning and professional opportunities in business and human rights. Examples of our engagement include:
Expert Working Group membership - the United States National Action Plan on Responsible Business Conduct
Participation in stakeholder consultations - State Obligations under the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights in the Context of Business Activities
United Nations Committee on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights (CESCR)
Participation in stakeholder consultations on the day of general discussion regarding State Obligations under the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights in the Context of Business Activities.
GNI is a multi-stakeholder group of companies, civil society organizations, investors, and academics dedicated to protecting and advancing freedom of expression and privacy in the information and communications technology sector. Molly Land, professor of law and human rights and a member of our steering committee, is an alternate member of GNI's Board of Directors.
If it works as intended, the EU law could be transformative in protecting human rights, including worker health and safety and workers’ free speech, around the world
The Connecticut Law Review symposium was co-sponsored by the Center for Energy & Environmental Law at the UConn School of Law, the U.S. Embassy in Brazil, and the Human Rights Clinic at Pontifícia Universidade Católica do Paraná.
‘Laura has been a champion of business in human rights not only within individual companies but also globally through her participation in policymaking at the highest levels’
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