Dr. Joel Hanisek

Dr. Joel Hanisek - RESEARCH FELLOW

Biography

Joel Hanisek is a Research Fellow at the Irish Centre for Human Rights, School of Law, University of Galway, where he is a member of the BILQIS ERC team. His research investigates religion and human rights with a special focus on transnational questions of authority, solidarity, and memory. He also regularly addresses topics related to academic freedom and higher education values. Joel teaches on the University of Galway's Bachelor of Arts with Human Rights interdisciplinary degree programme. He previously lectured on the M.Phil. in International Peace Studies at Trinity College Dublin.

Joel also has extensive professional experience in advocacy and policy work. Previously he was Policy & Programme Manager for Scholars at Risk Europe. There he coordinated the MSCA-funded Inspireurope projects to improve institutional, national, and European-level supports for researchers at risk. He also previously served as UN Representative in New York for the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) and World Communion of Reformed Churches. There he facilitated engagement with the United Nations system, maintained ECOSOC consultative status, and worked with peer NGOs to conduct advocacy with member states.

Joel holds the following degrees: Ph.D. from the School of Religion, Theology, and Peace Studies, Trinity College Dublin; M.Div. summa cum laude from the Divinity School, Yale University; B.A. in English with Concentration in International Studies magna cum laude from Davidson College.

Contact Details: joel.hanisek@universityofgalway.ie