This summer, students from Florida State University (FSU) took part in academic programs at the University of Oxford in England. The participation included students from the FSU Honors Program, the College of Law, and the Jim Moran College of Entrepreneurship.
Eight honors students attended the Oxford Consortium for Human Rights workshop, which focused on “Human Rights and New Technology.” This is the fourth year FSU has sent students to this event, with this year’s group being its largest so far. The workshop ran from July 6-12 and addressed how technology affects society and daily life. Students discussed ethical and societal impacts of new technologies.
Ella Garcia, a senior studying public administration, said: “My main takeaway is that our interactions with technology, our data, and our actions are utilized to create the digital society of the future. 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, commented: “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.”
Alanna Densmore, a senior studying international affairs with a minor in criminology whose research focuses on AI ethics, said: “The Consortium helped me see where my work in AI ethics fits into the larger human rights picture. Protecting human dignity requires collaborative, cross-sector solutions.”
On their final day at Oxford, each school cohort presented research projects. FSU’s presentation included reflections on a recent university shooting and prompted discussion about institutional responsibility regarding technology and human rights.
Ross Moret from FSU’s Honors Program led this group and gave his own presentation titled “Polarization and the Business of New Technology,” which examined how digital platforms influence political division.
“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,” Moret said.
Support for participating honors students came from several FSU entities including its Center for the Advancement of Human Rights; College of Arts and Sciences; College of Social Sciences and Public Policy; and Department of Religion.
Separately, 23 law students participated in FSU’s Summer Program in Law at Oxford between June 30-August 7. This program allows study in comparative law as well as English common law history within its original context. It is sponsored by FSU’s College of Law through International Programs. Now marking its 52nd year, it is recognized as the oldest summer program at Oxford offered by an American law school. Students can earn up to six semester hours during their time there; participants also included six non-FSU law students from other ABA-approved schools.
Law program participants attended classes along with organized trips to London—including visits to Inns of Court—and Stratford-upon-Avon.
Raya Hughes graduated last spring with degrees in sociology plus human rights/social justice before starting her Juris Doctor program this fall. She expressed interest in joining next year’s Summer Program in Law after attending this summer’s consortium: “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.”
Two graduates from Jim Moran College—Jocelyn Prouty and Kate D’Amario—competed as finalists at Map the System global competition hosted by Oxford’s Skoll Centre for Social Entrepreneurship July 3-6 at Said Business School. Their project was titled “The Effect of Endocrine-Disrupting Chemicals on Human Fertility.”
Prouty said: “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. 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.”
Map the System invites student teams worldwide each year; this year saw 134 finalist teams selected out of over 1,750 participants representing 40 universities across 17 countries.
D’Amario added: “The Map the System Global Competition was such a privilege to be a part of… Jocelyn and I have been researching and collaborating for several months… Not only was that a great opportunity in itself but we got to learn from… inspiring people from around the world.”
For more information about these programs:
FSU Honors Program – honors.fsu.edu
College of Law – law.fsu.edu
Jim Moran College – jimmoran.fsu.edu
