PhD Studentship: Reconceptualising Witness Protection in International Criminal Justice: A Human Rights Defender Approach

Project advert

This is an exciting opportunity to undertake doctoral research at the intersection of international criminal justice and international human rights law. The project examines witness protection before the International Criminal Court and explores the extent to which the role of witnesses intersects with functions associated with Human Rights Defenders. It offers the chance to engage with urgent contemporary debates on human rights, accountability, the rule of law, and the protection of vulnerable actors in international criminal justice. 

This PhD will explore the relationship between the role of ICC witness and international understandings of Human Rights Defenders, and the implications of such recognition for states, the ICC, and international law more broadly. Through doctrinal and comparative legal analysis, the candidate will examine ICC witness protection alongside UN and regional human rights systems, assessing gaps and identifying areas for improvement.

This PhD project is one of five independent projects open for applications, with only three funded studentships available. All applications will go through an initial review stage conducted by the project supervisors. Candidates selected from this stage will be invited to a second-round interview, where final funding decisions will be made based on performance across all projects.

Project aims and objectives

This project will: 

• Examine whether ICC witnesses can be reconceptualised as HRDs under international human rights law. 
• Compare ICC witness protection with UN and regional human rights systems. 
• Analyse the obligations of states and international institutions to protect witnesses in light of human rights standards.  
• Propose legal and policy reforms to strengthen protection in international criminal justice. 

Objectives: 

• Provide a doctrinal analysis of the legal status of ICC witnesses. 
• Map and compare ICC protection regimes with human rights standards. 
• Clarify state and institutional obligations towards witnesses as HRDs. 
• Offer policy-relevant recommendations for the ICC, States, and civil society.  

Funding

Both Home and International students can apply. Home and international tuition fees will be covered for the duration of the three-year award.

The student will receive a standard stipend payment for the duration of the award. These payments are set at a level determined by the UKRI, currently £20,780 for the academic year 2025/26.

Specific requirements of the candidate

We are looking for a highly motivated candidate with enthusiasm and a strong interest in international human rights and international criminal justice. Applicants should hold a Master’s degree in a relevant area of law and have achieved at least a 2:1 (or equivalent). 

How to apply

Interested applicants are encouraged to contact Dr. Aikaterini Koula (a.koula@mmu.ac.uk) for an informal discussion. 

To apply you will need to complete the online application form for a full time PhD in Law.

Please complete the Doctoral Project Applicant Form, and include your CV to demonstrate how your skills and experience map to the aims and objectives of the project, the area of research and why you see this area as being of importance and interest. 

Please ensure that your application also includes your Academic Certificates and Transcripts as supporting documents.

Please upload these documents in the supporting documents section of the University’s Admissions Portal.

Applications closing date: 02 March 2026 

Expected start date: October 2026

Please quote the reference: FoBL-AK-2026-27-ICC witness protection

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