David Karp

David Karp is an Associate Professor of International Relations at the School of Global Studies, University of Sussex. He holds a PhD in Political Science from University College London, an MSc in International Relations from the London School of Economics, and an Honours BA in Political Studies from Queen’s University, Canada.

• Co-director, Centre for Rights, Reparations and Anti-Colonial Justice (2015–present)
• External Examiner, MSc in International Relations at LSE (2022–present)
• Co-convenor of BISA Ethics & World Politics working group (2019–2024)
• Editorial Board Member, Business and Human Rights Journal (2025–present)

His research focuses on human rights protection in global politics, transnational corporate responsibilities, and ethical frameworks in international relations. He has published extensively on the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights, the Responsibility to Protect (RtoP), and conceptual debates about human rights obligations. Key themes include:

• Responsibility frameworks for states and non-state actors
• Legitimate authority in human rights enforcement
• Critical analysis of global governance mechanisms
• Ethical dimensions of international political theory

His publications span journals like European Journal of International Relations, Business and Human Rights Journal, and Global Governance, with a particular emphasis on corporate accountability and normative debates. He has also contributed to edited volumes and co-edited the collection Human Rights Protection in Global Politics (Palgrave Macmillan, 2015).

Dr. Karp teaches courses including Introduction to Human Rights, Contemporary International Theory, and Ethics in Global Politics. He previously taught BA Dissertation workshop (International Relations) and Global Ethics and International Relations. As School Education Lead for Global Studies and Faculty Assessment Lead for Social Sciences, he has significant administrative responsibilities.