Human rights
The Universal Declaration of Human Rights states that all human beings are born free and equal in dignity and rights. These rights apply irrespective of ethnicity, skin colour, gender, language, religion, sexual orientation, political opinions or social status. They include the right of every individual to social security, freedom from torture and slavery, the right to education and the right to freedom of expression.
However, global developments are posing great challenges to the democratic system and the rule of law, both nationally and internationally. Issues of democracy, peace and justice have come to the fore. War and conflicts, refugee flows, poverty, social injustices and inadequate healthcare make it difficult to uphold human rights.
Uppsala University has great expertise in the area and the capacity to conduct strong basic research in fields such as law, political science, theology, philosophy, and peace and conflict research, along with interdisciplinary research in broad thematic research centres.
Examples of ongoing research
Artificial intelligence reveals hate and extremism online
Antidemocratic forces have increasingly moved online to organise hate crimes. Until now, many of the...
Prize for global work to promote child health rights
Stefan Swartling Peterson, Professor of Global Health at Uppsala University and UNICEF health specia...
International collaboration elevates Peace and Conflict Studies
The appointment to the Rotary Peace Center has raised Uppsala University’s already attractive Master...
Research forums and institutes
Uppsala Forum on Democracy, Peace and Justice
Uppsala Forum is a forum for research cooperation at Uppsala University in democracy, peace and justice. The forum’s long-term goals are to advance cross-departmental, interdisciplinary research and education and to increase internationalisation in this research environment.
Uppsala Forum on Democracy, Peace and Justice
The Uppsala Conflict Data Program (UCDP)
The Uppsala Conflict Data Program (UCDP) is a research programme that systematically collects data on organised violence and armed conflicts around the world. The research programme was established in the 1980s and has since produced data that is used for research on armed conflicts. The definitions used for armed conflict have set the standard for systematic definition and study of conflicts.
Uppsala Conflict Data Program (UCDP)
A political Violence Early-Warning System (ViEWS)
A political Violence Early-Warning System (ViEWS) is an analytical tool that forecasts locations in the world where political violence may arise. The forecasts are based on open data available in the Uppsala Conflict Data Program (UCDP) conflict database. ViEWS analyses the risk of three types of political violence: state-based conflicts, including conflicts involving states and rebel groups; armed conflict between non-state actors; and violence against civilians. This analytical tool is available to researchers and the general public.
A political Violence Early-Warning System (ViEWS)
Institute for Russian and Eurasian Studies (IRES)
The Institute for Russian and Eurasian Studies conducts research aimed at increasing and making available knowledge about Russia and the post-Soviet states in a number of key areas. IRES brings together experts including linguists, theologians, economists, political scientists, lawyers, sociologists, historians and anthropologists.
Institute for Russian and Eurasian Studies
Artificial Intelligence, Democracy and Human Dignity
This research project aims to create a clearer picture of the potential impact of artificial intelligence on rights, ethics, world views and social institutions at a global level.
Artificial Intelligence, Democracy and Human Dignity research project