Erica Harper
Head of Research and Policy Studies
Erica Harper is a practitioner-academic specializing in international criminal law, human rights law and post-conflict governance. As Head of Research and Policy Studies, she leads the Geneva Academy’s work on non-state actors, transitional justice, digital technologies and sustainable development. She also works closely with various United Nations Special Rapporteur, as an Advisory Board member at Terre des hommes, and is a fellow at the Leiden University’s Van Vollenhoven Institute.
Dr Harper’s current research centres around development effectiveness, and the intersectionality between economic development, security and the rule of law. She manages a multi-country research project examining best practices in the reintegration of former foreign fighters and building resilience against violent extremism in children and youth.
Dr Harper has extensive programming and policy experience, having worked for a variety of UN agencies and non-government organizations in Timor Leste, Indonesia, the Philippines, Jordan, Ethiopia and Somalia. Prior to joining the Geneva Academy, Dr Harper established and served as the Executive Director of the West Asia-North Africa Institute, a Jordan-based policy think tank specializing in security studies, economic policy and good governance. During her 5-year tenure, the Institute grew to become one of the region’s leading think tanks, producing approximately 70 publications annually, including academic journal pieces, policy white papers, books and print media pieces. She also served as an Assistant Professor at Leiden University’s Van Vollenhoven Institute, teaching on aid effectiveness, human rights programming and non-state justice systems.
Dr Harper holds a Bachelor of Laws (hons) and Bachelor of Commerce in Economics, both from Macquarie University, and a PhD in International Law from the University of Melbourne. She has authored five books, including on aid effectiveness, non-state justice and rule of law programming, as well as four edited volumes on the subjects of legal pluralism, governance and development in the Middle East and North Africa. Her latest book, The Last 10 Percent: Why the world needs a leaner, more innovative and pragmatic development sector, today will be released in fall 2022.
Resources
Neurotechnology and Human Rights: An Audit of Risks, Regulatory Challenges, and Opportunities
Geneva Academy of International Humanitarian Law and Human Rights
Erica Harper, Timo Istace
Expert Consultation on CESCR’s General Comment on ICESCR in Armed Conflict
Human Rights Concerns in Neurotechnology Examined in New Research Brief
Spotlight on IHL: Geneva Academy Briefs EU Delegation on Alarming Conflict Trends
Neurotechnology – Integrating Human Rights in Regulation
Geneva Academy of International Humanitarian Law and Human Rights
Erica Harper, Allan McCay
Research Brief Evaluates the Human Rights Implications of Neurotechnology in Therapeutic and Commercial Applications
New Research Brief Examines the Relationship Between Digital Technologies and Their Misuse in Surveillance, Cyberattacks, and Disinformation Campaigns
Behind the Lens – Surveillance Cyber Targeting and Disinformation
Geneva Academy of International Humanitarian Law and Human Rights
Erica Harper, Jonathan Andrew, Florence Foster, Joshua Niyo, Beatrice Meretti, Catherine Strugess
Harnessing Digital Technology to Disrupt, Repress and Intimidate: A Deep Dive into Surveillance and Monitoring Trends in Authoritarian States
Geneva Academy of International Humanitarian Law and Human Rights
Erica Harper, Jonathan Andrew, Florence Foster, Joshua Niyo, Catherine Sturgess
Unpacking the Climate Migration Extremism Nexus Mapping the Coping Strategies of Kenyan Pastorialists
Geneva Academy of International Humanitarian Law and Human Rights
Erica Harper, Yosuke Nagai
Unpacking the Burgeoning Challenge of Environmental Protection and the Right to Food in the Context of Armed Conflict
Geneva Academy of International Humanitarian Law and Human Rights
Erica Harper, Junli Lim
Navigating the Nexus: Climate Insecurity, Environmental Rights Violations and Conflict in Fragile Settings
Geneva Academy of International Humanitarian Law and Human Rights
Erica Harper
Environmental Human Rights as a Tool in Early Warning and Conflict Prevention The Role of the Human Rights Council
Geneva Academy of International Humanitarian Law and Human Rights
Erica Harper, Baïna Ubushieva
The Evolving Neurotechnology Landscape: Examining the Role and Importance of Human Rights in Regulation
Geneva Academy of International Humanitarian Law and Human Rights
Erica Harper
Delivering the Right to Peace: Towards a Reinforced Role of the Human Rights Council in the UN's Peace and Security Framework
Geneva Academy of International Humanitarian Law and Human Rights
Erica Harper, Adam Day
Youth Associated with Non-State Armed Groups: Building an Evidence Base on Disengagement Pathways and Reintegration Challenges
Geneva Academy of International Humanitarian Law and Human Rights
Erica Harper, Yosuke Nagai
Climate Change in the Security Council: Obstacles, Opportunities, and Options
The Geneva Academy of International Humanitarian Law and Human Rights and the United Nations University
Erica Harper, Adam Day