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Working Safely: Managing Risk & Strengthening Protection - POL00062M

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  • Department: Politics and International Relations
  • Module co-ordinator: Dr. Alice Nah
  • Credit value: 20 credits
  • Credit level: M
  • Academic year of delivery: 2022-23

Module will run

Occurrence Teaching period
A Spring Term 2022-23

Module aims

This module examines the risks involved in human rights work around the world and how individuals and organisations respond to risks and protect themselves. The module begins with an overview of global trends in human rights advocacy, examining the social, political, and technological forces that shape the work of human rights defenders. It examines the mechanisms of repression used by state and non-state actors to supress the work of human rights defenders. It reviews the strategies and mechanisms that human rights defenders have used to mitigate risks and to work safely. Students learn practical skills in analysing risks, producing and using security plans, and maintaining digital security. Students will examine theories of risk and interrogate the meaning of 'protection', linking these to analyses on power, repression, surveillance, and the 'mediatisation' of human rights work.

Module learning outcomes

Subject content

  • Global trends in human rights work and implications for human rights defenders (social, political and technological)
  • The evolution and development of mechanisms of repression and mechanisms of protection
  • The risks involved in human rights work and risk mitigating strategies
  • Skills in risk analysis, producing and reviewing security plans, and maintaining digital security
  • Analysing theories of risk, protection, power, surveillance, and the 'mediatisation' of human rights work

Academic and graduate skills

  • Learning independently, managing time and resources
  • Applying new information and skills in real work contexts
  • Reflecting critically on information presented in different formats (text, audio, video)
  • Problem-solving individually and with others
  • Discussing and debating complex issues

Other learning outcomes (if applicable)

  • Developing practical skills in risk analysis, producing and using security plans, and maintaining digital security
  • Communicating effectively in groups and in one-to-one interactions with a tutor, expressing thoughts clearly

Additionally, for students doing the module for credit:

Academic and graduate skills

  • Conducting research using a number of search tools and learning resources to gather relevant information
  • Integrating information to analyse social and political trends
  • Reading and analysing critically
  • Using evidence to substantiate arguments

Indicative assessment

Task Length % of module mark
Essay/coursework
Essay		 N/A 60
Essay/coursework
Security plan		 N/A 40

Special assessment rules

None

Indicative reassessment

Task Length % of module mark
Essay/coursework
Essay		 N/A 60
Essay/coursework
Security plan		 N/A 40

Module feedback

In this module formative assessment will be provided through multiple choice quizzes (immediately through electronic marking), written comments on group work on case studies (within two weeks) and written comments on an essay outline (within four weeks).

Written feedback on summative assessments will be provided within five weeks of submission.

Indicative reading

Barcia, I. (2011) Urgent Responses for Women Human Rights Defenders at Risk: Mapping and Preliminary Assessment, Toronto: Association for Women's Rights in Development.

Barry, J and Nainar, V. (2008) Insiste, Resiste, Persiste, Existe: Women Human Rights Defenders Security Strategies, Urgent Action Fund for Women's Human Rights, Front Line and Kvinna till Kvinna Foundation, available on http://www.frontlinedefenders.org/files/en/Insiste%20Resiste%20Persiste%20Existe.pdf, accessed 17 April 2012.

Brophy, P. and Halpin, H. (1999) Through the Net to Freedom: Information, the Internet and Human Rights, Journal of Information Science, 25(5): 351-364.

Clifford, B. (2005) The Marketing of Rebellion: Insurgents, Media and International Activism. New York: Cambridge University Press.

Earl, J. (2003) Tanks, Tear Gas, and Taxes: Toward a Theory of Movement Repression, Sociological Theory 21: 44-68.

Eguren, E and Caraj, M (2009) New Protection Manual for Human Rights Defenders, Protection International: Brussels, pp. 17-25

Ferree, M.M. (2001) Soft Repression: Ridicule, Stigma, and Silencing in Gender-based Movements, paper presented at the Conference on the Dynamics of Protest and Repression, University of Maryland, June 21-24, available on http://www.cidcm.umd.edu/mobandrep/papers/ferreeandgamson.pdf, accessed 15 November 2011.

Front Line Defenders (2011) Workbook on Security: Practical Steps for Human Rights Defenders at Risk, Dublin: Front Line, available at http://www.frontlinedefenders.org/files/Workbook_ENG.pdf accessed 30 April 2012.

Gregory, S. (2010) Cameras Everywhere: Ubiquitous Video Documentation of Human Rights, New Forms of Video Advocacy, and Considerations of Safety, Security, Dignity and Consent, Journal of Human Rights Practice, 2: 191-207.

Howard-Hassman, R.E. (2012) Human Security: Undermining Human Rights?, Human Rights Quarterly, 34(1): 88-112.


The information on this page is indicative of the module that is currently on offer. The University constantly explores ways to enhance and improve its degree programmes and therefore reserves the right to make variations to the content and method of delivery of modules, and to discontinue modules, if such action is reasonably considered to be necessary. In some instances it may be appropriate for the University to notify and consult with affected students about module changes in accordance with the University's policy on the Approval of Modifications to Existing Taught Programmes of Study.