This summer, Florida State University students participated in prestigious academic programs at the University of Oxford in England, continuing FSU’s tradition of global engagement and interdisciplinary learning.
Honors students at the Oxford Consortium for Human Rights
Eight students from the FSU Honors Program participated in the Oxford Consortium for Human Rights workshop, joining peers from around the world to explore the theme “Human Rights and New Technology.” This marked the fourth consecutive year FSU has sent students to the Consortium, with this year’s group being the largest yet.
The workshop, which took place July 6-12, focused on the role of technology in modern society and explored the urgent, exciting and concerning issues around changing technological landscapes and how this influences day-to-day life.
Throughout the week, students engaged in discussions on the ethical and societal impacts of emerging technologies.
Ella Garcia, a senior pursuing a master’s in public administration, attended the Oxford Consortium workshop to deepen her understanding of technological ethics and modern human rights frameworks.
“My main takeaway is that our interactions with technology, our data, and our actions are utilized to create the digital society of the future,” she said. “The overwhelming scale and nature of technology is designed to make us feel like we are passive actors in shaping these platforms. The first step to addressing these injustices is recognizing our power as consumers and participants in the digital age.”
Molly Stinson, a senior majoring in English and religion, joined the Consortium to explore the possibilities of a career in international human rights.
“I was able to make incredible connections, not only with the Consortium faculty, but with the numerous professionals brought in to speak to us as well as the students from across the U.S. and around the world,” she said.
Alanna Densmore, a senior majoring in international affairs with a minor in criminology, attended the Consortium to explore the global impact of AI in criminal justice. Her research focuses on the ethical and human rights implications of emerging technologies.
“The Consortium helped me see where my work in AI ethics fits into the larger human rights picture,” Alanna said. “Protecting human dignity requires collaborative, cross-sector solutions.”
On the last day of the workshop, cohorts from each school delivered a presentation on their research projects. FSU’s presentation included reflections on the university’s recent shooting, prompting dialogue on institutional responsibility and the intersection of technology and human rights.
The group was led by Ross Moret, a faculty member in FSU’s Honors Program, who also presented at the Consortium for the first time this year. His talk, “Polarization and the Business of New Technology,” examined how digital platforms and economic incentives contribute to political division and influence human rights discourse.
“The Consortium experience is transformative for students. They return with more confidence, significant new social connections, and a deeper understanding of our society’s most pressing problems. I’m grateful FSU has made this opportunity available to some of our brightest and hardest working students.”
— Ross Moret, faculty member in FSU’s Honor Program
In addition to the Honors Program, students received support from FSU’s Center for the Advancement of Human Rights, the College of Arts and Sciences, the College of Social Sciences and Public Policy, and the Department of Religion.
Legal studies through the College of Law’s Summer Program at Oxford
Meanwhile, 23 students from the College of Law spent five-and-a-half weeks pursuing legal studies at the University of Oxford through FSU’s Summer Program in Law.
The program, which took place June 30-Aug. 7, gives students an opportunity to study comparative law and the history and development of English common law and common law institutions in their native setting. Sponsored by FSU’s College of Law and administered through International Programs, the program is now in its 52nd year, making it the oldest summer program at Oxford offered by an American law school.
Students may earn up to six semester hours of course credit for participation. In addition to FSU students, the program is also open to students in good standing at American Bar Association-approved law schools. Six students from other institutions also participated in the program.
In addition to attending classes, participants went on outings to London and Stratford-upon-Avon. Organized trips included visits to the Inns of Court in London and the Royal Courts of Justice.
Raya Hughes graduated with dual degrees in sociology and human rights and social justice last spring and begins the Juris Doctor program this fall. As one of the eight students who participated in the Oxford Consortium for Human Rights workshop, she hopes to be involved in the Summer Program in Law at Oxford next year.
“I think it’s fantastic that FSU Law students have these opportunities to expand their perspectives globally and gain valuable experiences abroad. Meeting people from different cultures can spark reflection, challenge our existing viewpoints, and open us up to new ways of understanding the world.”
— Raya Hughes, FSU College of Law student
Entrepreneurship students participate in global competition hosted by Oxford’s Skoll Centre
Two recent graduates from the Jim Moran College of Entrepreneurship attended the Map the System global final competition, which took place July 3-6 at the Said Business School at University of Oxford.
Jocelyn Prouty and Kate D’Amario, who both graduated with a Master of Science in Social and Sustainable Entrepreneurship this summer, presented their research project “The Effect of Endocrine-Disrupting Chemicals on Human Fertility” as finalists in the competition.
“Getting the chance to present our research at the Global Map the System Finals in Oxford and represent Florida State University was the opportunity of a lifetime,” Prouty said. “I met like-minded individuals from around the world and experienced a historic city unlike any other. I’m also grateful to my research partner, Kate D’Amario, for her dedication and exemplary work on this project.”
Hosted by the Skoll Centre for Social Entrepreneurship at Oxford University, Map the System is a learning program and global competition that nurtures a worldwide community of educators, students and practitioners committed to applying the principles of systems thinking to complex social and environmental challenges.
The Skoll Centre partners with universities across the globe each year, supporting educators to deliver the Map the System program at their institutions before inviting top student teams from all over the world to convene for a final competition in Oxford. The student teams who participated in the finals in Oxford were among 134 finalists selected from more than 1,750 participants, representing 40 universities across 17 countries.
“The Map the System Global Competition was such a privilege to be a part of,” D’Amario said. “Jocelyn and I have been researching and collaborating for several months and were able to share our findings among 130 other student finalists. Not only was that a great opportunity in itself, but we got to learn from and make friends with the most wonderful and inspiring people from around the world. An overall incredibly rewarding experience!”
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The FSU Honors Program is invested in providing enriching experiences that support student-scholars who want to develop as campus influencers, thought-leaders and informed global citizens. To learn more about the FSU Honors Program, visit honors.fsu.edu.
For more information about the College of Law, visit law.fsu.edu. To learn more about the Jim Moran College of Entrepreneurship, visit jimmoran.fsu.edu.