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Our faculty comprises prominent scholars and practitioners in the areas of international humanitarian law, international human rights law, international refugee law, international criminal law, and transitional justice.
Step into a captivating visual journey as we introduce you to the brilliant minds behind our three master's programmes and discover their motivation to teach and share their expertise with our students.
Discover
‘As an academic and a practitioner, one of the highlights every year since I started teaching at the Geneva Academy is the course that I teach on the Islamic law of armed conflict. I enjoy the rich and fascinating discussions with and among the students and the excellent papers they write for my course. The thoughts, vision, arguments and creative and innovative approaches they bring into the discussions of such a highly timely and complex field show that our students can and will contribute a lot to making our world a better place!’
Dr Ahmed Al-Dawoody is the Legal Adviser for Islamic Law and Jurisprudence at the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC). He teaches an optional course on the Islamic Law of Armed Conflict in our two full-time programmes – the LLM in International Humanitarian Law and Human Rights and the MAS in Transitional Justice, Human Rights and the Rule of Law.
© Geneva Academy
‘Students of the Geneva Academy come from many different backgrounds, in terms of experience, nationality, culture, language skills, etc. They bring a variety of approaches to our classrooms’ discussion and fresh perspectives on difficult topics.’
Dr Cécile Aptel is the Deputy Director of UNIDIR, the United Nations Institute for Disarmament Research and an international expert in international criminal law, international justice, transitional justice and child rights. She co-teaches a course on accountability for atrocity crimes in our online Executive Master in International Law in Armed Conflict.
‘The history of international criminal accountability is also a narrative of a struggle to surface the nuanced experiences of marginalised people and communities. A gender-competent approach to international criminal law demands an intersectional approach. It is integral that we –whether practitioners, academics, policymakers, or students– ask ourselves ‘in this particular situation, whose experiences are we most clearly seeing? Whose experiences have not been so easily admitted into our concerns (and thus into our plans and priorities)? Is our understanding of what crimes have been committed against particular individuals and/or groups sufficiently nuanced? Have we risked rendering invisible from our investigation the wider span of crimes to which they may have been subjected?’ It is a delight to lead and listen to the vibrant discussions as students from all over the world, meeting in a classroom in Geneva, share their perspectives and experiences. My hope is that these conversations have enriched our understanding of how an intersectional gendered approach to understanding international crimes can carve a genuine path to justice with, and for, all victims and survivors.’
Sareta Ashraph is a Senior Legal Adviser at the US Holocaust Memorial Museum and at the Center for Justice and Accountability. She teaches an optional course on gender and international crimes in our two full-time programmes – the LLM in International Humanitarian Law and Human Rights and the MAS in Transitional Justice, Human Rights and the Rule of Law.
‘With Geneva being the most relevant hub for practitioners and academics to discuss humanitarian issues, I am particularly glad to have the opportunity to present to Geneva Academy students the legal and policy issues related to disasters. Disasters caused by natural and technological hazards are a commonplace phenomenon and represent one of the most significant challenges for humanitarian actors and affected communities. It is, therefore, crucial to allow students to get a proper understanding of the rationale, structure and content of the international law rules addressing the prevention, preparedness, response and recovery in the event of disasters and assess their impact on humanitarian actors, international organisations and domestic stakeholders.’
Giulio Bartolini is a Professor of International Law at Roma Tre University and the editor-in-chief of the Yearbook of International Disaster Law. He teaches an optional course on international disaster law in our two full-time programmes – the LLM in International Humanitarian Law and Human Rights and the MAS in Transitional Justice, Human Rights and the Rule of Law.
‘To make a real difference for victims of conflicts we have to make the law come to life. Beyond theoretical knowledge, we need to study the factors that lead to violence in the first place, make the best of influence techniques and use our collective intelligence to turn humanitarian norms into action. It is a great privilege to share experiences and reflect on new solutions with the students at the Geneva Academy, as this is the place where the seeds of future developments in humanitarian law and diplomacy are planted.’
Vincent Bernard is a Senior Policy Advisor at the International Code of Conduct Association (ICoCA). He teaches an optional course on humanitarian skills in our two full-time programmes – the LLM in International Humanitarian Law and Human Rights and the MAS in Transitional Justice, Human Rights and the Rule of Law.
‘By committing to the rule of law in international law we create the premises for making the world a better place. To learn how to use the language of international law is an important step in the right direction.’
Andrea Bianchi is a Professor of International Law at the Geneva Graduate Institute. He teaches a course on international law in our LLM in International Humanitarian Law and Human Rights.
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‘What I enjoy most about teaching in the Executive Master in International Law in Armed Conflict is the rich exchange with the participants. Their wide and varied experience means that we can dive deep into what the law means in practice and learn from one another, seeing things from different perspectives, identifying challenges and – hopefully! – solutions together.’
Dr Lindsey Cameron is the Head of the Unit of Thematic Legal Advisers in the Legal Division of the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC). She teaches a course on the implementation of international humanitarian law in our online Executive Master in International Law in Armed Conflict.
‘A philosopher once said that universities exist to benefit those who are unable to attend them, for those who can afford university education have the mission to serve the lives of those who do not have this opportunity. I always strive to put these enlightened words into practice with my work as a lecturer at the Geneva Academy, where I teach a course that explores the intersection of cultural heritage and transitional justice in post-conflict situations. It is through this course that I want to make students aware that they can become true ‘change makers’ in their future professional lives.’
Alessandro Chechi is a Senior Lecturer at the University of Geneva and at the Université Catholique of Lille. He teaches an optional course on cultural heritage in post-conflict situations in our two full-time programmes – the LLM in International Humanitarian Law and Human Rights and the MAS in Transitional Justice, Human Rights and the Rule of Law.
‘Teaching refugee law is a very rewarding experience because students are highly motivated, engaged and eager to learn more about one of the most controversial issues of our time. In this context, highlighting the role of law in questioning the narrative and misunderstandings spread in public debate is more important than ever.’
Vincent Chetail is a Professor of International Law at the Geneva Graduate Institute. He is also the Director of the Global Migration Centre and the President of our Board. He teaches a course on international refugee law in our LLM in International Humanitarian Law and Human Rights and in our online Executive Master in International Law in Armed Conflict, and a course on displacement and international law in our MAS in Transitional Justice, Human Rights and the Rule of Law.
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‘Enforced disappearance is a complex phenomenon that violates multiple human rights and amounts to an international crime: learning how to effectively deal with it is essential to ensure its eradication and non-repetition. When I teach the course on Enforced Disappearances in International Law at the Geneva Academy, I see the future professionals who, hopefully, will contribute to building a world free from this scourge: I try to share with them useful tools to build such a future and, at the same time, I keep learning from them, their fresh perspective and their enthusiasm.’
Gabriella Citroni is a Professor of International Human Rights Law at the University of Milano-Bicocca and the Vice-Chair of the UN Working Group on Enforced or Involuntary Disappearances. She teaches an optional course on enforced disappearances in international law in our two full-time programmes – the LLM in International Humanitarian Law and Human Rights and the MAS in Transitional Justice, Human Rights and the Rule of Law.
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‘I teach a course called ‘Human Rights and War' which looks at the intersection between human rights law and armed conflicts with a particular emphasis on the concept of war. Teaching at the Geneva Academy is a wonderful opportunity to explore how we can harness international law to prevent violence and ensure increasing accountability for those who violate the rules. The course tends to deviate from what might be expected from a human rights course and covers the moral philosophy of war, arms transfers, and questions related to the contemporary law on neutrality and economic warfare. The aim is often to 'think outside the box'.’
Andrew Clapham is a Professor of International Law at the Geneva Graduate Institute and he teaches part of the course on international human rights law in our LLM in International Humanitarian Law and Human Rights.
© Olivier Chamard
‘People often think of human rights as a sort of moral philosophy, but too often they are not so familiar with human rights as law. In a time of global change, executive education is a necessary contribution to building a fairer international society.’
Olivier de Frouville is a Professor of Public Law at the Panthéon-Assas University, the Director of the Paris Human Rights Center and the Chair of the UN Committee on Enforced Disappearances. He teaches two courses on human rights in our online Executive Master in International Law in Armed Conflict.
‘Teaching activities at the Geneva Academy have given me an opportunity to benefit from the incredible experience that most of the students have already acquired before joining the programme.’
Jérôme de Hemptinne is an Assistant Professor at Utrecht University. He teaches a course on international criminal law in our LLM in International Humanitarian Law and Human Rights and a course on the typology of armed conflicts in our online Executive Master in International Law in Armed Conflict.
‘The Geneva Academy is a place of excellence where theory and practice come together in service of Humanity in international law.’
Giovanni Distefano is a Professor of International Law at the University of Neuchatel. He teaches three courses in our online Executive Master in International Law in Armed Conflict on public international law and the subjects of the international legal order, the sources of public international law, and sanctions in public international law.
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‘Being part of the teaching staff of the Geneva Academy's programmes is an exciting experience every year, thanks to the dedication, passion and involvement of the students. Over the years, the students at the Geneva Academy have inspired me to become a better teacher, but more importantly to keep the dream of a more just world alive and to make a contribution to realising it.’
Paola Gaeta is a Professor of International Law at the Geneva Graduate Institute. She teaches a course on reparations and guarantees of non-recurrence in our MAS in Transitional Justice, Human Rights and the Rule of Law.
‘It is a privilege to teach at the Geneva Academy and to exchange with talented and motivated students who will shape the future of the humanitarian sector (writ large). Sharing my passion for international humanitarian law and human rights with our students is one of my greatest joys.’
Gloria Gaggioli is the Director of the Geneva Academy and an Associate/SNF Professor at the University of Geneva Law Faculty. She teaches part of the course on international human rights law in our LLM in International Humanitarian Law and Human Rights, as well as two courses in our online Executive Master in International Law in Armed Conflict on terrorism and the law of non-international armed conflicts.
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‘Teaching in the field of transitional justice is an extraordinary and highly stimulating opportunity to promote a holistic, interdisciplinary and reflexive approach to law and justice, and to question the links between past and present for a better understanding of the future.’
Sévane Garibian is a Professor of International Criminal Law and Transitional Justice at the University of Geneva Law Faculty and an Adjunct Professor in Legal Philosophy at the University of Neuchâtel. She teaches an introductory course on transitional justice in our MAS in Transitional Justice, Human Rights and the Rule of Law.
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‘I have been teaching for several years at the Geneva Academy and each time I have found the experience challenging and rewarding. It is such a great privilege to interact with motivated professionals who bring into the classroom their expertise and different backgrounds. Unfortunately, the concrete cases of the use of force in international law have not ceased to increase in the last couple of decades. Being confronted with deliberate and egregious violations of the rules governing military force is frustrating and disappointing. Yet, critically studying them, their evolution and the related State practice is crucial to fully understand the international legal system and its limits.’
Tarcisio Gazzini is a Professor of International Law at the University of Padua. He teaches a course on the use of force and the responsibility to protect in our online Executive Master in International Law in Armed Conflict.
‘The psychological impact of conflict, from individual harm through to wider impacts such as distrust and cultures of violence are key issues to consider in transitional justice. Without understanding the psychosocial impact of conflict, transitional justice will never live up to its expectations.’
Brandon Hamber a Professor at Ulster University and its John Hume and Thomas P. O’Neill Chair in Peace. He teaches a course on transitional justice, mental health and psychological issues in our MAS in Transitional Justice, Human Rights and the Rule of Law.
‘Teaching IHL at the Geneva Academy is an opportunity to bring together the humanitarian strang of that branch of the law (represented by the ICRC, where I have worked) and the military strang of that same branch (represented by my engagement in the high command of the Swiss Army). The teaching is meant for professionals, where this type of balance in the approach is even more valued and valuable.’
Robert Kolb is a Professor of International Law at the University of Geneva Law Faculty. He teaches two courses on international humanitarian law in our online Executive Master in International Law in Armed Conflict
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‘Teaching at the Geneva Academy provides me with the exceptional opportunity to interact with students from all around the world.’
Dr Sandra Krähenmann is the Deputy Head of Policy, Programmes and Legal at Geneva Call. She teaches a course on international law and transitional justice in our MAS in Transitional Justice, Human Rights and the Rule of Law and a course on the interplay between international humanitarian law and human rights in our online Executive Master in International Law in Armed Conflict.
© Olivier Chamard/Geneva Academy
‘The Geneva Academy has become an academic home during my time as UN Special Rapporteur. I am very glad to be sharing what I have learned in my years as a mandate holder to the next generation of practitioners addressing the human rights implications of counter-terrorism.’
Fionnuala Ní Aoláin is Regents Professor and Robina Professor of Law, Public Policy and Society at the University of Minnesota Law School, Professor of Law at the Queens University and the UN Special Rapporteur on counter-terrorism and human rights. She co-teaches a course on preventing and combating terrorism in our online Executive Master in International Law in Armed Conflict.
‘Teaching at the Geneva Academy is a source of inspiration for me. As a practitioner in the peacemaking and peacebuilding field, I benefit enormously from the passion and rigour of my discussions with the students and love contributing to the next generation of peacebuilders.’
Katia Papagianni is the Director of Policy and Mediation Support at the Centre for Humanitarian Dialogue (HD Centre) in Geneva. She teaches a course on peacebuilding in our MAS in Transitional Justice, Human Rights and the Rule of Law.
‘Modern societies have become increasingly dependent on computers, computer systems, and networks, with vital services now relying on the Internet. This ‘digital revolution’ has involved not only civilian infrastructures but also the armed forces. My course on international cyber security law addresses the challenges that civilians face as a result of the emergence of this new form of warfare. The course will equip students with the knowledge and ideas that will be needed to reconceptualize international law and legal approaches towards the regulation of transformative technological evolution in the 21st century.’
Marco Roscini is our Swiss IHL Chair and a Professor of International Law at the University of Westminster. He teaches an optional course on international cyber security law in our two full-time programmes – the LLM in International Humanitarian Law and Human Rights and the MAS in Transitional Justice, Human Rights and the Rule of Law.
‘Disciplines merge in reality, while academically they often seem to be parallel tracks. However, the course I will teach this academic year seeks to link the dots between religions, beliefs, human rights, international relations and political science.’
Dr Ibrahim Salama is the Chief of the Human Rights Treaties Branch at the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights where he also leads the ‘Faith for Rights’ programme. He co-teaches an optional course on religions, beliefs and human rights in our two full-time programmes – the LLM in International Humanitarian Law and Human Rights and the MAS in Transitional Justice, Human Rights and the Rule of Law.
‘I love teaching at the Geneva Academy! It provides me with a truly international and diverse audience of students, academics and practitioners who work and contribute, in so many ways, to the development of the theory and practice of transitional justice. The opportunity to reflect, for rigorous analysis, to create, learn and share the know-how and for networking, are just some of the many things that make the Geneva Academy a unique place for transitional justice.’
Clara Sandoval is a Professor at the School of Law and Human Rights Centre at the University of Essex, a founding member of the Essex Transitional Justice Network, and the Director of Programmes at the Global Survivors Fund. She teaches a course on victims and human rights law in our MAS in Transitional Justice, Human Rights and the Rule of Law.
‘To teach a sad subject like international humanitarian law (IHL), a branch that can offer only insufficient protection in such inhumane situations as armed conflicts, in a world in which it is unfortunately too relevant, is nevertheless a source of great satisfaction. Every year I meet new students who are brilliant minds: all of them know much more about IHL at the end of the year than in the beginning and I can have the illusion that this happened also thanks to me!, and many of them make a difference in the field or in an office in a ministry, an intergovernmental organization or an NGO after their studies. When I was a practitioner of IHL, I could never claim to have so much contributed to improving its respect.’
Marco Sassòli is a Professor of International Law at the University of Geneva Law Faculty. He teaches a course on international humanitarian law in our LLM in International Humanitarian Law and Human Rights.
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‘Teaching transitional justice at the Geneva Academy through the experience of its actors is a way of continuing the education I underwent there a few years ago, which guided me towards international justice. It's a tribute to the humanity that was taught to me there.’
Damien Scalia is a Professor in Criminal and Prison Law at the Université libre de Bruxelles and an invited Professor in International Criminal Law at the Université de Lausanne. He teaches an optional course on the sociology of justice and the experiences of transitional justice actors in our two full-time programmes – the LLM in International Humanitarian Law and Human Rights and the MAS in Transitional Justice, Human Rights and the Rule of Law.
‘International criminal law makes headlines and has never been more relevant to contemporary global issues. In my classes at the Geneva Academy, highly motivated students interact with me on burning issues of the past, present and future.’
William A. Schabas is a Professor of International Law at Middlesex University. He is also a Professor Emeritus at Leiden University and the University of Galway, and an invited visiting scholar at the Paris School of International Affairs, Sciences Po. He teaches a course on the foundations of international criminal justice as a component of transitional justice in our MAS in Transitional Justice, Human Rights and the Rule of Law and a course on international criminal law in our online Executive Master in International Law in Armed Conflict.
‘The UN intergovernmental work in the field of human rights in the past 15 years has indeed been a success; there is no doubt about it. The Human Rights Council has organized multiple panels, debates, interactive dialogues, inter-sessional activities, informal conversations, and other features to sharpen the focus on issues demanding the attention of the human rights community. Numerous mandates of Special Rapporteurs, Independent Experts, Commissions of Inquiry, Fact-Finding Missions, ad hoc investigations, or mechanisms were established, including by the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights. It is fair to state that the Council has addressed issues broadly and boldly and has thus served well the countless human rights victims across the globe over the past ten years. However, the constant increase in the number of human rights procedures, mechanisms and tools has transformed what might have been initially conceived as a chamber orchestra into a long opera without a pause. My purpose in teaching at the Geneva Academy is to decrypt this array of mechanisms and make it understandable and accessible to the students including by shedding light on its legal, diplomatic and political underpinnings.’
Eric Tistounet is the Chief of the Human Rights Council Branch at the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights. He co-teaches an optional course on UN human rights mechanisms in our two full-time programmes – the LLM in International Humanitarian Law and Human Rights and the MAS in Transitional Justice, Human Rights and the Rule of Law.
‘Teaching at the Geneva Academy is hugely rewarding. As a scholar and educator, it is a unique privilege to engage with a truly international community of students who are not only enthusiastic learners but also eager to think critically about the challenges facing human rights and transitional justice from a global perspective.’
Neus Torbisco-Casals is a Visiting Professor at the International Law Department of the Geneva Graduate Institute. She teaches a course on identity claims, cultural diversity and human rights in our MAS in Transitional Justice, Human Rights and the Rule of Law.
‘It is a real privilege to teach young professionals from around the world who are pursuing truth and justice, often in challenging and difficult contexts. I benefit from their energy, insights and experiences.’
Howard Varney is a consultant and a practising advocate at the Johannesburg Bar and a Senior Programme Adviser at the International Center for Transitional Justice (ICTJ). He teaches a course on truth commissions in our MAS in Transitional Justice, Human Rights and the Rule of Law.
‘I am looking forward to teaching the course on religions, beliefs and human rights with our peer-to-peer learning methodology, which means that every participant has something to contribute, learn and apply. This approach will also be part of our mooting exercise on religions, beliefs and human rights.’
Dr Michael Wiener is a Human Rights Officer at the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights. He co-teaches an optional course on religions, beliefs and human rights in our two full-time programmes – the LLM in International Humanitarian Law and Human Rights and the MAS in Transitional Justice, Human Rights and the Rule of Law.
‘Is international justice fit for purpose to deal with atrocity crimes, and if not, what other accountability mechanisms are preferable? Just one of the many interesting questions I enjoy unpacking with students at the Geneva Academy, seeking answers through precedent and practice, with a heavy dose of pragmatism.’
Jamie Williamson is the Executive Director of the International Code of Conduct for Private Security Service Providers Association (ICoCA). He co-teaches a course on accountability for atrocity crimes in our online Executive Master in International Law in Armed Conflict.
‘Geneva is the epicentre of the UN human rights system. When designing this optional course, our intention was to leverage the unique advantage students have of being situated in such a pivotal location. This course offers students an immersive experience, drawing on the Geneva Human Rights Platform's extensive collaboration with both UN human rights treaty bodies and the Human Rights Council. This ensures practical insights and an insider’s perspective from experts deeply engaged in these mechanisms.’
Dr Domenico Zipoli is a Project Coordinator at the Geneva Academy's Geneva Human Rights Platform. He co-teaches an optional course on UN human rights mechanisms in our two full-time programmes – the LLM in International Humanitarian Law and Human Rights and the MAS in Transitional Justice, Human Rights and the Rule of Law.
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