The past few decades have witnessed an increase in the number international human rights instruments, their incorporation into domestic jurisdictions as well as the proliferation of wider public discourse on human rights. 'Human rights' has often taken centre stage as an international and domestic political goal. Along side this there has been a growth of human rights research projects and centres.

Any agency (governmental or non-governmental) which takes human rights obligations seriously needs to understand the measures and dynamics that affect this goal. The role that political and legal institutions play, as well as the role played by societal factors, is an important area of research.

The human rights programme engages in high quality research of a multidisciplinary nature, in the theory and practice of human rights.